The fun zone

Getting the kids outside to laugh, learn and play isn't just fun for them, it's great for parents too

- KAREN BOOTH

If you have kids, the challenge is twofold. First, how do you create a garden that will engage them, drawing them outside to play and learn about nature? Second, how to design a backyard that also suits the adults and can adapt as the children grow and their interests and needs change?

"I think it's important to remember that children don't have to have a big area to play, just as adults don't need a big area to enjoy the outdoors. They also don't just need one open grass area to kick a ball around. Playing with balls outside is fun, but it is not the only thing to do outside," says Glenice Buck, landscape designer, horticulturist and founder of Glenice Buck Designs. "Children can have just as much fun wandering through a strawberry patch or climbing over rocks under trees. If you do have some space, dividing a garden into sections that have different themes or uses is a good way to allocate spaces. You might have one area that is more of a formal dining spot for entertaining, while another may have more informal seating for the children to use. Another area might have a growing zone for veggies and flowers."

ATTENTION GRABBERS

"The easiest way to boost safety and control the ways kids interact with outdoor spaces is to create child-friendly zones that attract their attention and keep them away from potentially hazardous areas," says Matt Leacy, landscape architect and director of Landart Landscapes. "Kids will be less likely to hang around dodgy areas if you've created a safe outdoor space with lots of fun and engaging activities. As a starting point, think about what your kids love to do and then introduce elements accordingly.