Fine weather draws children, like a magnet, outdoors to enjoy the freedom of space. if you provide a range of exciting play choices to stimulate the imagination they will be happily occupied for hours. In a small garden there is rarely room for a completely separate area for children's play projects. If you don't
want play structures to overpower a small garden consider position and materials at the design stage, along with the needs of all of the family, so that sandpits, swings, climbing frames or playhouses can be built to blend in, using materials that appear elsewhere in the garden.
Lawns need to be tough if they are to endure energetic play so use a high percentage of perennial ryegrass, which can survive the rigors of pounding feet.
The garden provides a first insight for small children into the world of nature. Take time to explain how wildlife and plants of the garden live and grow. Involve children in the siring and fixing of bird tables and nesting boxes, as well as feeding the birds. This provides a useful introduction to looking after pets responsibly. Involve the child when choosing an area of the garden specially put aside for him where he can grow his own plants from seed. Quick-result plants such as sunflowers and sweet peas are a good choice, as are beans, carrots, lettuces and spinach which can be picked, cooked and eaten.
Flexibility is important as children's requirements change quickly and play structures soon fall out of use. With some forethought equipment can be erected with the future in mind, so that a play space can rake up a new role when the children lose interest in using it.
Swing A well-constructed archway can form a sturdy frame for a swing. Provide a surface of grass or bark chippings for safety. When the swing is no longer in use the arch can form a frame for climbers and soon become a decorative feature.
Sandpit Dig out an area large enough to take sand construction projects of buildings, boats, or whatever catches the imagination. A sturdy surround will help to keep the sand in place, but avoid sharp-edged materials and use sawn logs with the bark removed. If you form the sandpit in an interesting shape the framework can be used to edge a flower bed or pond when the sand is removed.
Climbing frame If you need to fell a tree at any time this could easily become part of an exciting natural frame. Add platform, steps and swings to create extra stimulus. A mature tree in the garden begs to become a climbing frame and will undoubtedly be used, so it pays to add rope ladders and platforms that make it a safer spot to play.
Alternatively construct a climbing frame as part of a pergola or build it with a future use as a pergola in mind. A thick layer of bark chip- pings, extending well beyond the frame, provides the safest ground surface.
Playhouses provide hours of fun and form the inspiration for all sorts of fantasy situations. Adapt a small garden shed by painting it and adding special decorative features inside. Use only unbreakable glass, plastic or PVC for the windows. The house can go on to become a teenagers' retreat or revert to storage space. If you lack the space for a permanent playhouse make an instant one by using a wigwam frame as a base. When required simply cover the frame with blankets or a specially decorated old sheet. Later grow runner beans or peas up it or introduce scent with honeysuckle or roses.
