Summer is the perfect time to get outside and spend more time as a family. And your garden is one of the easiest places to start. Whether you have a large backyard or a small patio, turning it into a kid-friendly summer space can bring weeks of outdoor fun.
Here’s how to prepare your garden for summer with kids in mind.
Start with a Clean Slate
Before you add anything new, clear the space.
- Rake up old leaves
- Remove weeds
- Trim back overgrown plants.
- Check for broken pots or tools.
Get the kids involved here. Give them small rakes or gloves. Turn it into a game—who can fill their bucket with the most weeds?
This gives them ownership from the start. When kids help prepare the garden, they’re more likely to spend time enjoying it later.
Create Safe Play Zones
Not every part of the garden needs to be a playground, but a few small changes can make a big difference.
Soft Surfaces:
Add a patch of grass, rubber mats, or sand to soften falls. These areas are perfect for toddlers or running games.
Shade:
Set up a canopy, a large umbrella, or even a DIY tent using a sheet and poles. Kids overheat faster than adults. Make sure there’s a cool place to rest.
Boundaries:
If your garden backs onto a road or has hazards like ponds, install gates or fencing. Let kids explore without constant worry.
Add a Kid-Sized Garden
Give them their own spot to dig, plant, and water. It doesn’t need to be big.
A small raised bed or even a few containers will do. Choose fast-growing plants that are easy to care for:
- Sunflowers
- Strawberries
- Cherry tomatoes
- Lettuce
- Radishes
These grow quickly and show visible results, which keeps kids interested.
Watering the garden can be their daily job. Give them a small watering can or even a spray bottle.
Image sourced from Pexels
Make It a Sensory Space
Gardens don’t just have to look good—they can feel, sound, and smell good too.
Touch:
Plant fuzzy lamb’s ear, soft grass, or herbs like mint.
Sound:
Hang wind chimes or place a small fountain nearby.
Smell:
Lavender, basil, or thyme releases strong scents. Let kids pick and sniff.
Taste:
Nothing beats picking and eating straight from the garden. Choose non-toxic, edible plants, and teach your kids which ones are safe to eat.
Bring in Wildlife
Create a space that invites butterflies, bees, and birds. Kids love watching creatures come and go.
You can do this by planting wildflowers, adding a shallow birdbath, or putting up a bug hotel.
Let kids decorate the birdbath or paint the bug hotel. These little projects make them proud of their space.
Set Up Activity Areas
Don’t try to keep everything neat. Give kids room to be messy and creative.
Ideas include:
- A digging pit filled with sand or soil
- A “mud kitchen” made from old pots and a water bucket
- A chalkboard wall for outdoor art
- A picnic blanket for reading or snacks
Keep a box or basket nearby with garden-safe toys. Buckets, trowels, trucks, and watering cans all encourage imaginative play.
Keep It Simple and Flexible
You don’t need to spend much. Reuse old pots. Let kids decorate plant labels with paint or markers. Use cardboard boxes for seed starters.
Be ready to change things up. What works one week might need adjusting the next.
A flexible space grows with your child. As they get older, their gardening interests will shift. You can add a veggie patch, build a tree swing, or teach them how to prune plants safely.
Image sourced from Pexels
Involve Kids in the Whole Process
Let them help choose the seeds, pick the flowers, and arrange the seating. Ask for their opinions.
What colors do they like?
Do they want a reading nook or a digging area?
What snacks would they grow if they could?
Giving them a voice makes the space feel like theirs.
Add a Playhouse for Endless Adventures
A playhouse gives kids their own space within the garden. It becomes a base for pretend games, reading, crafting, or quiet time.
You don’t need to buy something big or fancy.
A simple wooden frame, tent, or even a repurposed shed can do the trick. What matters is that it feels like theirs.
Set it up with a few extras:
- Cushions or blankets inside
- A small table and chairs
- Fairy lights or bunting
- Art supplies in a basket
- Books in a crate
Younger kids might use it for pretend cooking or puppet shows. Older kids may turn it into a reading den or hideout.
Let them help decorate it.
Paint the outside with their favorite colors. Hang their artwork on the inside walls. Add a sign with their name on it.
A playhouse encourages imagination, gives them a break from the sun, and offers a quiet retreat when they need it.
You can place it near your seating area, so they feel independent but still connected. It’s one of those additions that grows with them and can be updated as their interests change.
Keep Safety in Mind
A fun garden starts with a safe garden. Take a few simple steps to make sure your outdoor space is worry-free for kids of all ages.
Check Your Plants:
Some common plants look pretty but can be harmful if touched or eaten. Watch out for:
- Foxglove
- Lily of the valley
- Oleander
- Daffodil bulbs
- Rhubarb leaves
If you’re unsure, look up each plant before adding it. Stick to edible herbs, vegetables, and flowers like calendula or nasturtiums that are safe and easy for kids to handle.
Secure Tools and Equipment:
Keep sharp tools, fertilizers, and hoses out of reach. Store them in a locked shed or high shelf. If kids use child-sized tools, teach them how to handle and carry them safely.
Be Careful with Water:
Kiddie pools, birdbaths, and even buckets can be a risk for small children. Always empty standing water after play. Cover ponds or water features with mesh or fencing.
Pest and Weed Control:
Avoid chemical sprays. Choose natural methods like neem oil, vinegar, or hand-weeding. Mulch can help prevent weeds and also cushion falls.
Sun Protection:
Add plenty of shaded spots using umbrellas, shade sails, or tents. Keep a sunhat and sunscreen by the door so they’re easy to grab before heading outside.
Supervise Young Kids:
Even in a fenced yard, it’s best to keep an eye on toddlers. Stay nearby when they’re using tools, digging, or exploring corners of the garden.
Making the garden safe doesn’t mean taking out the fun. It means setting kids up for confident, independent play, without the worry.
Watch out for common hazards:
- Sharp tools
- Thorny plants
- Toxic plants like foxglove or lily of the valley
- Standing water that attracts mosquitoes
Store tools safely. Label plants if you’re not sure what’s edible. Use natural pest control methods instead of harsh chemicals.
Make It a Summer Routine
Gardening doesn’t have to be a once-a-week activity. Try building small habits into your days:
- Morning watering together before school or camp
- Weekly check-ins on how the plants are growing
- Harvest days, where you pick and prepare food together
Even ten minutes outside can shift a child’s mood. It’s calming. It gives them something real to care for. And it connects them with nature.
Your Garden, Their Playground
You don’t need to design a perfect backyard. Kids thrive in messy, creative, flexible spaces. A garden gives them fresh air, freedom, and time with you.
Start small. Let them get dirty. Watch what they gravitate toward. The best parts of a kid-friendly garden aren’t the decorations—it’s the space to explore, play, and grow.
And the best part? You get to enjoy it too.
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