Non-Plant Components

There are many feature that can enhance a children's garden. Use you imagination and always remember safety when designing and adding features to your garden.

Paving and Walkways

When adding walkways and paved areas to a children's garden it is important to remember the mobility and coordination of children. Children of different ages may be able to handle stairs, uneven stepping stones, and breaks in the walkway better than others. Bricks and pavers that have many breaks may cause small children to stumble and fall frequently.

Also remember that children will be running through this area. It should be easy to negotiate and find their way around.

If a smooth walkway is necessary there are ways to spruce up regular concrete. Concrete paint comes in a variety of colors, including bright and vibrant ones that are great for children's gardens.

Concrete paint can either be used to create a picture or emphasize a picture that has been made with the actual paving.

 

Water Features

Water features are very important to a children's garden. They can keep a child interesting and help to stimulate a desire to play outside, especially on hot days.

Water features should always be interactive. However, safety needs to be considered and children should always be supervised.

Placement of water features should be in plain view and easy reach of adult areas in the garden.

 

Fences

Fences can be useful for any garden, generally around the perimeter.

 

If there is only one way in and out of the garden, adults generally feel more comfortable allowing kids to play out-of-sight

 

Fences for these areas need to be tall enough that kids cannot climb or be lifted over

 

Playhouses

Children like having areas of their own to play in. These structures should be for kids only.

 

Playhouses should be child sized in scale and easy to enter and exit

 

They should also be designed to fit the age group your garden is designed for. This includes any furnishings inside

 

Adult Areas

There should be paved areas for adults to park strollers and bicycles.

 

There should also be benches that are in the shade for adults to watch children from

 

Remember that if the adults are not comfortable they will not be willing to bring their children to the park very often or to stay very long

 

 

Statues and Art

Statues and art can add interest and activity to a children's garden. However, nothing in the garden should be of the 'hands off' variety

Children will climb on and play with any thing in the garden so safety should be considered when choosing and placing these items

Small statues of animals add interest to a wildlife garden even when animals are not active or present in the garden.

 

Play Equipment

Play equipment can be nice to have in a children's garden, but not necessary

 

The main point of these gardens are to educate children about nature by making nature fun and interesting - Play equipment may distract form this

 

Remember any equipment must follow all safety laws and city regulations.

 

 

 

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Age Levels and Safety / Plants / Non-Plant Components