There are few things quite as enjoyable as spending a sunny day in the garden with your family around you as you soak up the sun, cook steaks on the barbecue and indulge in together time. Of course, that is only possible if you have a nice family garden in which to hang out. The good news is that creating a family-friendly garden is easy as can be if you put just a little thought into the needs of each family member.
Relaxation and Entertainment
Adults will primarily want a place in the garden where they can relax with a good book or entertain friends with a few drinks and some barbecue food. This area should be created separately from any children’s play areas.
Decked areas or beautiful patios are particularly good for this purpose, as kids and pets tend to prefer playing their games on the lawn.
Furniture
In your relaxation area, you will want to have enough tables and chairs to accommodate the whole family plus guests. Rattan furniture looks great and tends to be very comfortable. But plastic and wooden furniture stands up better to the elements and tends to be more affordable if you have a lot to buy.
It could be a good idea to buy a picnic bench for the kids’ area so that they can have their own friends over and get some privacy from mom and dad.
A Play Area
Whether kids are three or fourteen, it is always a good idea to create a dedicated play area in the garden. Ideally, this should be a lawned area, where children can picnic on blankets, play football, chase each other and generally have a good time outdoors. If you have younger children, they will no doubt appreciate some play equipment such as slides and swings, which will keep them entertained for hours on end in the summer, and allow you to have some relaxing time in the patio area.
Pets
If you have dogs, it is only right that they have some fun in the garden too, so if you have the space, you should consider fencing off an area where the dogs can enjoy the sun. Just make sure that you do not plant anything that is toxic to your pets. It may also be a good idea to set up a kennel where they can retreat if the sun gets too hot or it starts to rain.
Plants and Flowers
No family garden is complete without an array of plants and flowers, but you need to think carefully about the plants and flowers you use and where you put them. Many plants and flowers are toxic to humans and animals, so if you have pets or young children, you need to make certain everything you put in your garden is safe should it be consumed. You also need to bear in mind where the pets are likely to run and where the kid’s ball might get when planting flowers. A lot of the time, it is easier to put flowers in raised beds or baskets when you have children and animals to contend with.
