ideas for a small garden please

[anniebear]

My girls will be 5 in August, we only have a small garden but have had lots of small sit and rides etc, now they are too big for them

We have a very small trampoline, you know the one with the handle on and a small slide. Also a sand pit (just need to get some sand!)

They have scooters and bikes but the garden is to small for them

any idea's?

A bit of sand, small slide and trampoline isnt going to do this year. I can see that already from the few times they have been out

I would love swings and all sorts but the garden is too small

One of my little girls is always on the go. She can't just slide normally, she has to think of 100 different ways to use a slide!! and she will need more this year

I will let them have some water but only if we are out say on there on a weekend or for a while, its just not a good idea when its not far off tea time!!

I did put some pencils out and paper but they can do that inside

any ideas?

Thanks

[anniebear]

sorry that was long!!!

I did think of a swing ball set, but most have an older age on them

Plus one of my girls has SN so I ahve to think of safety a little more,.

with the swin ball, I have visions of one of them getting wacked or ending up with the string wrapped round their necks!!

[Flum]

Football?

[Feistybird]

chalks?

[MamaG]

oh god, swing balls are a nightmare! I've got a similar problem, I've got a yard at the back (no grass) but my two love playing out there. I'll be watching this thread with interest, sorry I couldn't offer anything constructive!

[anniebear]

swing ball out then??!!!

chalks sounds a good idea

We have a football outt here but then I have to watch my tulips dissapear one by one!!! lol

[MamaG]

we have been colouring and painting outside - even though we do it inside too, its more fun outside (and I don't stress about the carpet!)

What about trays of paint, roll of old wallpaper and bare hands & feet?

[Belo]

space hopper?

[Nemo1977]

agree about chalks oyu can get chunky ones from elc and also paining with hands etc.

What about a small water table or a pop up playtent. My ds has a thomas tank one and spends hours playing with it so if they got a little castle or something would be good. Also lots of indoor toys can move outside for a little while such as toy kitchens etc.

[anniebear]

yeah, I have thought about paints,glitter , glue etc, good idea

somebody once said to get an old shower curtain, out it on the grass and give glue, glitter, paints, etc etc!!!!

I am thinking more when they go out and play before tea or bed and I don't want they covered in paint!!

I don't mind that at the weekend or if they are going straight in the bath or have lots of time, but week days after school, they don't have long out there

Think we will have to get the neighbours to sell us their gardnens!!! lol

[bundle]

hula hoop, making tent out of trampoline (if it's got a metal hold-on handle like ours), egg shaped chalks last for ages, and what about something for them to grow? eg strawberries or a tomato plant in a grobag. one of those mini microscope bug things to look at exciting finds.

[carwillin]

Another vote for chalks, we have painted half a fence panel with chalk board paint (Crayola - approx. £10) and when it doesn't clean up anymore just give it another coat. An instant winner in our garden.

[anniebear]

they have a huge kitchen inside but I could maybe find a cheap one for outside thanks!

[anniebear]

like the chalk paint idea also!! may just geta chalk board and drill into the outhouse!! If it rots it can be thrown away after the summer

Thanks again!!!

[Nemo1977]

what about small water table..or even old washing up bowl that way they can play with water but without having to be soaked completely.

[Bozza]

Take doll's prams etc out. DS is 5 and we don't have a huge garden and I find he is getting too big for some things in the garden such as his new bike. Also we have to be careful with football because if they are too hard he breaks the plant pots and if they are too soft he kicks them into next door. He has a bow and arrow, and takes his action man outside. He also has a rocket pump thing but that would get lost so has to play on that at the front on the communal green. DS also has a bat and a ball set that he plays with, golf set etc. Am not sure if cricket will be OK or not this summer. I have also made his older (and generally chunkier because aimed at a younger age) cars to be outside toys.

[ambercat]

Give them a bowl of water and a few paint brushes (mine like really big ones!) and get them to "paint" the fence/walls, it drys really quickly so is a never ending job!!

Also an old bucket filled with abit of water and get them to make "stew" with anything they can find eg mud, leaves grass and probably your faverite flowers aswell!!

[Berries]

washing line, old sheets & pegs. Tents are more fun when you make them yourself.

[Fauve]

Following on from Ambercat, we make 'soup for giants' - we look through the cupboards and try to find groceries that are past their sell-by date; then they all get mixed up in a bucket to make 'soup'. 'Sgusting. But the squirrels like it, as long as there's no chilli pepper in it.

[lunavix]

Gardening! Get them into it! Find a small patch, make it all nice and earthy and find them stuff to grow in it!

I have 3 mindees everyday after school and just found out two of them are doing afterschool gardening club at £5 a head (!!!) for 40 minutes! It even says on the letter home they're planting and weeding to make the school look nicer. I'd have used them for manual gardening labour myself had I known!

[granarybeck]

Ambercat, mine still love the water and paintbrushes thing and they are 7 and 9! Keeps them busy for hours!

[Bozza]

Could you demote old toys (dolls, teasets etc) to garden toys?

[anniebear]

Thanks for all the ideas

Now anyone know where I can get a flat chalk board from? I want a god sized one. I have only ever seen small ones?

[bundle]

can't you do what someone suggested & use ply with some blackboard paint?

[alexsmum]

have you a paved area? if so let them chalk on the floor, then when it rains it will wash off.

[anniebear]

yes, forgot about that, will do the black board paint

Thanks