Here are a few of Rochelle's finds (follow the photos above):
• Swings don't have to look like they belong in a schoolyard. This set, built by Blasen Landscape Architects, blends beautifully and organically into the garden, and the swings are well-sized for both adults and kids.
• This concrete slide is from Blasen too. What a fun way to incorporate a slide; the design flows seamlessly, so that the slide is anything but an eyesore, and because it actually gets you from one part of the garden to another, it encourages active play (rather than the static, "enclosed" play of, say, a sandbox or a jungle gym).
• The Auricula Garden Theater is a charming little feature that was popular in 19th-century English gardens. Auricula primroses have a kind of cartoonish quality that would make this a cute addition to a kid-friendly garden. As Rochelle points out on Studio G, it wouldn't be too difficult to make one; all you need is a friend with basic carpentry skills.
• A willow-branch tunnel is gorgeous, and there is no end to the fun kids could have with one of these.
Some more ideas...
• How about re-thinking the "playhouse" concept to fit within a modern, stylish garden? These willow huts from The Willow Farm (last photo above) are beautifully made, and even if you don't have enough space for a whole village, a single one tucked in the corner of a yard would be just perfect.
• When you design your garden beds, think about bringing in plants that will give the garden a whimsical, playful feel. Asparagus fern has a Dr. Seuss-like quality that can be fun. Plants with texture and fragrance, like the fuzzy lambs' ear or sweet-smelling pineapple mint, will make the garden itself more welcoming to children.
• If you live in a climate where it gets warm, water features to play in are of course a fantastic idea. We used to run through the sprinklers as kids (didn't everyone?) but that kind of thing obviously doesn't work if you're trying to conserve. A water feature designed to recycle water is a perfect compromise...
Our favorite children's garden is in the Royal Botanical Garden in Melbourne, Australia, where there is a terrible drought, but the garden's water features are designed to teach children about conserving. There's a garden "path" that resembles a winding river, with water flowing for children to splash through as their parents stroll down the nearby gravel walkway. The garden also includes a "tree tower" for children to climb for a view of the whole garden, as well as an enchanting bamboo forest and a series of tunnels made from overhanging trees. For some serious inspiration, visit the Ian Potter Foundation Children's Garden web site to learn more about this amazing space.
• Lastly, if your children are old enough, why not involve them directly in the planning and maintenance of your outdoor space? Give them a raised garden bed where they can plant veggies and flowers, and take a trip to the local nursery to let them pick out the plants themselves.
Click over to Studio G to read Rochelle's interesting post about why a jungle gym isn't as fun or enticing for kids, in the long run, as a well-designed garden with some child-friendly features. Her blog is packed with other outdoor inspiration as well.
How have you made your outdoor space child-friendly? When you were little, did you dream of treehouses and jungle tunnels? Share your children's garden ideas below.
(Images: Blasen Landscape Architects (first two photos); Flickr member tpholland, licensed under Creative Commons; Flickr member usedcarspecialist, licensed under Creative Commons; The Willow Farm)
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http://www.lifeonthebalcony.com/ recently had a bunch of posts about gardening with kids.
http://lifeonthebalcony.com/container-gardening-with-kids/
http://lifeonthebalcony.com/category/gardening-with-kids/
pretty but something tells me that slide wont sliiiiiide.
My kids would destroy that willow tunnel in 5 minutes. But it is lovely!
All kids need is a little space and imagination. Perhaps a ball. Bubbles. Sticks. Bugs. Better yet...mud.
Concrete slide? Kids are going to be missing some skin in private places.
One thing to keep in mind if you have either kids or dogs, is that you absolutely should not use the metal edging. Its so sharp that it little fingers, toes, and paws. My poor mastiff ended up cutting a tendon =(
Its definetely worth it to purchase materials where you know no one will get hurt.
This article is perfect timing. I am trying very hard to convince my better half that we don't need a play structure in our backyard. However, she is very adamant about wanting one so our children (2 and 6 both girls) would enjoy our yard more. Any suggestions from you would be greatly appreciated.
souk1501, are you opposed to all play structures, or just the "little tykes" style plastic ones? How about a classic wooden treehouse? (One that you & she could camp out in with the kids would be magical!)
I grew up in Palo Alto, CA near a park with a huge concrete slide and it is still there and as safe and popular as ever. Most kids use flat pieces of cardboard to slide down it so there is less friction. I've never heard of or seen anyone getting hurt there. I'd love one in my garden!
I really like the willow branch tunnel too.
Looking again, the one thing I would suggest about the concrete slide in the picture above, is that they take out the concrete slab at the bottom end and put in some sand or just have the grass for a soft landing.
FYI - Asparagus fern has an oil or something on it that irritates the skin. I have some in hanging baskets, and it looks really pretty, but whenever I have to handle it even a little bit, my hands and arms are itchy for quite a while afterward.
That slide is really neat!
Why is there an implicit assumption - throughout many AT posts - that kids have to conform to adult styles, and that by necessity, their sense of style (and what they respond to) is necessarily bad?
Our house is also our kids' house. Our backyard is their yard. If they are going to happy there, then they need to be directly involved in personalizing it. They're not accessories who need to fit into *our* style; they're people with their own needs and desires - integral members of our family who should most definitely have a voice in how things are done.
These kinds of posts are annoying. The only place kids can actually take an active role is in the 'ohdeedo' section, and even there, design decisions are most often directed entirely by the parents.
Love the willow tunnel---I liked playing in things like that when I was little.
But the concrete slide---what do you do with it when the kids no longer play on it in a few years? That's a huge mass of concrete to get rid of and I wouldn't want to be saddled with trying to figure out another use for it. It'd be fine for a public park but not so much for family use where it won't be needed long term.
wc_canuck
This article did suggest that kids should get involved in the planning of the space.
Get off your high horse.
I like the organic structures that are shown here. I think kids would love to help put them together, and they are imaginative enough to make it their own space.
It reminds me of when I made little teepee and fort structures with my little cousins in the forest at our cottage.
I think it looks lovely and like something children would enjoy. It's nice to get them away from metal and plastic and let them play among natural elements that blend with the garden surroundings. I love that the part about "enchanting children."
But I also agree, the concrete slide doesn't look like fun.
I hope I'm never to old to use a slide.
Zaphod, I can see some of your point, but there's nothing inherently more "things for kids" about things that are bright colours made of plastic? I mean, I don't like every super-design-savvy trend-approved thing either, but if nothing else, things made of wood and DIYed are a lot easier for the kid to actually be involved with in seeing made? And there's some value in learning toys can look different from what your friends have, and don't have to come from the same stores?
I worry about kids who every toy they have is a licensed character. Surely children had toys before Nickelodeon and Disney?