Garden ideas

[gemma659353]

I'm looking for some ideas for the garden. We have chalk boards and the usually toys, playhouse etc but I'm looking for ideas of what else I could have outside to fit around eyfs

[Evie125]

I try to make the most of the natural environment, for example I have a small bamboo plant in the corner which is a jungle for the wild animals or dinosaurs , we have added other natural objects like large fir cones, logs and coconut shells for animals to hide in. I have a fairy garden hidden under another bush which I keep adding to. We have a weather station with measuring jug to catch rain and things that blow in the wind. There is a digging area near the play house and we also plant things in pots ( because the plants in the digging area get buried !!) we also use a builders tray a lot to make up small world scenes or to contain messy play- this slots in nicely behind the play house when not in use. I have tied ribbons to some metal gates so the children can weave them, though to be honest they usually use them to tie the gates together so I can't open them

[FloraDora]

My garden is also my hobby, so no plastic anywhere as I like to relax in it.
I have: outdoor kitchen ,made by DH doubles up as a prep area when we barbecue, no mud just leaves, acorns, stones petals and lots of water, weather permitting, best activity for current LO's - chopping anything to make stone soup.

Fairy garden, Dinosaur land- made by ch in black garden trays, plants and stones mainly. Sit well in borders sometimes on stands.

Flowerpot farm: a tiered corner all pots planted by children and tended veg and flowers, we grow endless lettuce for LO's rabbits at home.

Veg beds - ch help but they have a bed for digging aswell that isn't obviously seen.

Bug habitats - big hotel and 8 small ones around garden. Log piles, bucket pond ( fenced off) .

Bird table and feeding stations and water bath
Hedgehog and toad homes.
I have various loose natural collections for open ended play, logs, stumps and planks for play/ motor skills/ ramps.
Trellis doubles up as a stand for guttering ( kept behing shed), secret path behind greenhouse has mirrors ( can't be seen , LO's love isolation of it but you can see them over the water butt!
Sensory garden for smelling and touching.
Various wind chimes/ musical instruments
Different surfaces to walk on, patio paving, slate, shingle, grass etc...
I purchased a small greenhouse , plastic cover for the children's seeds and plants last year which has been useful to store resources for independent choice during the winter: balls, ropes, wind ribbons, floating and sinking items, bubbles, bottles for squirting and various painting tools ( water painting), window washing equipt, brushes ( they love tidying the garden ) planting ( we plant all year round- mainly salad in winter) , can you find ? pictures. I have a small scale orienteering course with wood and nails so equipt for that is accessible. Den making box. Wind ribbon frames , old picture frames without back or glass to make outdoor pictures with loose materials.
We have just started to look for small animals that live in the borders as a find game. We draw on large stones to play/ distribute/ look for : letters, numbers, feeling faces, children pics
I have a take down sand and water tray - this is plastic, but lives in the shed.
We have a water feature for use under supervision only
I live next door to a nature reserve , big field and playground is there so don't feel I need any climbing type activities except planks and crates. We have trikes and scooter but actually go out on these on a ride, rarely in garden.

Children love benches and seats and secret ( very small) areas made by planting, or pots.

Basically most of my ideas are from forest school or the cosy catalogue ( not to buy just to get ideas)

Works for me..when not childminding my garden doesn't look like Children play in it....yet we play in it all year round - exploring and discovery for awe and wonder mainly.

[alex__17]

Would love to see a photo, sounds amazing all the natural things, I'm looking to do similar in mine this year but don't have much imagination for it and don't really know where to start!

[k1rstie]

Your garden sounds brilliant floradora.

[FloraDora]

Your garden sounds brilliant floradora.

It isn't anything amazing to look at, Childminding wise, as all things mentioned, except outdoor kitchen is sort of hidden. That's the idea - it looks like a normal garden with borders and tubs and vegetable beds at the weekend!