How To Landscape With Children In Mind
Building a dynamic and interactive yard for children begins with planning and creativity. It also includes asking your children what they think is fun. Kids generally enjoy activities like walking, running, riding, climbing, flying, and swinging. Give your children chances to explore, build, and pretend. Plan magical landscapes where they can think, imagine, laugh, and have fun. Here are our top tips for landscaping with children in mind.
BEFORE YOU BEGIN
USE ONLY NON-TOXIC PLANTS
You know your children will pick up and play with anything. This includes the plants in your yard. Keep children safe by using only non-toxic plants in your garden. Your landscaping provider can tell you which plants to use.
KEEP THE PLANTS SHORT
Your priority is your children’s safety. Keeping the plants short ensures you can always see them from a patio or back-facing window. In some areas, tall plants can also be hiding places for wildlife and reptiles. Reduce danger by keeping plants short.
KID-FRIENDLY LANDSCAPING INSPIRATION
BUTTERFLY GARDEN
Creating a whimsical and imaginative butterfly garden is as easy as planting. Local annuals and perennials of many colors will attract the most butterflies. Decorate your children’s garden with some colorful boulders and decorative landscape rock. Your goal is to create a fairytale scene straight out of “Alice in Wonderland.” To complete the vision, choose garden borders and edging from Pioneer Landscape Centers.
SANDBOX
Building a sandbox for children under 10 is a great way to keep them busy and happy all summer long. You can place your sandbox into a playground surrounded by plants. Fill the box with playground-grade sand and watch your kids have a ball. At Pioneer Landscape Centers, you can find playground sand (also known as Mason Sand) in three colors.
BIRDBATH
If you want to see birds in your yard, attract them with food and water. Picking out a pretty birdbath will provide decoration. According to the National Association of Landscape Professionals, “fresh water can sometimes be difficult for birds to find.” Ask your children to help you pick out the perfect spot for installing the bird’s new bath. The ideal place is “near a tree with low-hanging branches and is visible from a window to allow admiring.”
BUILD A FIRE PIT
Children of any age will enjoy sitting around a fire pit. Making s’mores and telling stories are true memory-making experiences. Teens will love sitting around the fire pit with their friends. Playing guitar or talking with one another are some favorite activities for children this age.
Your children can help you build a fire pit. Lay paving stones over each other in a spot away from trees and bushes. Place the stones in a (circular) pattern at least three feet in diameter and at least 15 inches tall. Fill the bottom with pebbles and then add several inches of sand.
Remember to keep a watchful eye and always thoroughly explain fire safety to your children.
You can also buy fire pit-building kits at Pioneer Landscape Centers. The Pyzique Essentials Fire Pit Kit comes with an optional safety dome and spark-suppressor. It has a ring-shaped design. For a square shape, you can buy the Victorian Fire Pit.
PIONEER LANDSCAPE CENTERS
Pioneer Landscape Centers is the leading landscape and hardscape materials supplier in the United States. We provide exceptional service to homeowners, contractors, builders, municipalities, and businesses across the country. Pioneer has recently expanded its offering in the outdoor living market. As part of our renewed focus on homeowners, we now have 5000 sq. ft. showrooms within our retail facilities. For outdoor living inspiration you can count on, call (866) 525-4079.