“A great way to get kids excited about gardening is to start them young. For toddlers, this is about creating safe and creative spaces that encourage learning through play,” said Angie Thomas, Horticulture Consultant to Yates.
To inspire parents of toddlers, Thomas has put together five steps to creating a toddler-friendly garden.
Outdoor play areas
Create an outdoor play area for your little ones to enjoy. Ideas can include sand pits, DIY fence chalkboards, miniature railways and car tracks as well as water play tables.
Comfort areas
Active toddlers often need somewhere to kick back and relax in the garden. Try hanging an old blanket to create a small tent or if you’re feeling extra creative, build your own cubby house or grow a teepee covered in climbing peas or beans. Add some blankets and pillows and make sure to add a cover for SPF protection.
Let them experiment with plants
It’s important to teach kids about the importance of growing healthy and sustainable food. Plus, it can be a bit of fun too. Start off your toddlers with some kid-friendly herbs and veggies like beans, mint, baby carrots and tomatoes or some vibrant flowers such as marigolds.
Be creative and colourful
Bright colours and a variety of shapes in the garden help toddlers with their learning and development - so when planting your garden, unleash some creativity. In order to make your garden better than their bedroom, decorate their play structures with paint, stickers and toys and ensure you plant a range of colourful plants and veggies.
Safety is priority
When you are designing your garden ensure you keep your toddler’s safety in mind. Ensure you lock up any sharp garden tools, chemicals and fertiliser, use child-friendly materials when considering paint and structures (no sharp corners!) and consider less concrete and more grass when landscaping.
Australia’s Next Top Gardener opens on 28 August and closes on 14 October 2018. For full terms and conditions, head to www.nexttopgardenercom.au.
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