Most moms regret the fact that they don’t get out to the garden often enough when they have small children in the home. It seems as though the moment you decide to prune the roses or check for fruit on the squash plants, the little ones decide to smell the pretty flowers, only to wail in fear because a trickle of blood arises from those pesky thorns. Actually, there’s no reason why you can’t create a child-friendly garden environment so that your children can be right there in plain sight but not close enough to get into any mischief. Here are some cool ideas.

Create a Play Yard within the Garden Area

Have you ever thought of fencing in a small area of the garden where your little ones can’t get into trouble while you happily work with nature? Some moms have erected a small fenced in area where they have placed outdoor toys and activities for their children to enjoy. Some mothers set up the swing set there while others use a garden hose for a Slip-n-Slide. It might not be a good idea to include any kind of hard or heavy balls which they can toss over the side, because sure as can be, that ball is likely to bop you on the head or bruise one of your prized tomato plants. When little ones are nearby, Murphy’s Law prevails!

Let the Children Help

While you couldn’t necessarily let the kids help much with your prized roses, you could set up an area of the garden with plants even little children can take care of. One family of vegetables to stay away from might be anything in the squash family because the leaves are prickly and kids just might develop a bit of an allergy to the spines. Many people develop rashes from squash leaves but are not allergic to the squash itself. It’s common. Keep the garden hose set to a soft spray and let them water their plants. Teach them about each plant as you care for it and before you know it, you might have a horticulturist on your hands!

Hardscaping Your Walkways

Finally, you might wish to consult with landscaping specialists to create a hardscaped area the kids won’t get all muddied on. This includes the play area you’ve set up as well as any walkways and common areas they are likely to play on. You know that the moment you begin watering those plants, children are likely to want to play in the mud and that’s any mother’s nightmare! In fact, why not talk to the designers on that site who may have other ideas to fascinate your children such as water fountains and rock gardens that require little care.

Child-friendly landscaping ideas can bring excitement to those long, and sometimes extremely boring, summer days. Why not satisfy your need to do a bit of gardening while providing a way to entertain your children as you ‘work?’ There’s no need to be stuck in the house all summer long when you can create an environment that is safe and fun for everyone in the entire family. With a little effort and a lot of creativity, you can have just that.