Don't be disheartened if your garden is on the smaller side; it can still be a great place for your children to play and have fun.

There are so many benefits that come with spending time in the great outdoors. 

This is particularly true when it comes to children. It can positively impact their mood, sleep and even their education. Having your own outdoor space is a real treat. 

For many, it is considered a luxury, as not all families have access to an outdoor space as part of their home. In some cases, shared green spaces or a balcony might be the reality – and people can do some really unique things to make the most of these spaces for the whole family. 

If you have a small garden (front or back) you might be less inclined to spend a lot of time out there. Perhaps you long for a space big enough to house a swing set at the very least. 

However, there are so many little things that you can do to make the most of your small outdoor space. By making your garden a little more inviting, you will really see the benefit of it this summer. It will make all the difference when it comes to cabin pressure and the wonderful positives that come with fresh air for the whole family. 

Here are just some of the ways that you can make the most of a small garden for children:

Outdoor chalkboards.

Use the walls to your advantage and turn one into a chalkboard. Regular chalkboard paint won’t work so well outdoors due to weather conditions, but some kind of dark latex/wood should do the trick. 

Make your own sandpit.

Make your own sandpit. The beauty of this is that it will work for all garden sizes because the sandpit can be as little or as large as space allows. You can do this in several ways by using some large rocks/bricks to create the space. After that, it’s a simple case of filling it with sand and picking up some kind of cover to protect it from the elements. Kids love sand and a home-made set-up would be really special as they can help bring it to life. 

Make a mud kitchen.

While there may not be space for a swing set, you could pick up an affordable play kitchen for the garden. Mud kitchens are all the rage and your children will enjoy hours of fun cooking up a storm with rocks, dirt and everything in between. 

Simple garden furniture.

Some simple garden furniture like this will encourage your children to eat or do some arts and crafts outside. They can be folded away when not being used making them ideal for smaller spaces. 

Flowers and plants.

Incorporate flowers or plants because the kids will love helping you water them. It will spark a curiosity within them regarding how and why things grow as they do and that is a wonderful thing. 

Get a bike shed.

Pick up a small bike shed for scooters, trikes and bikes and only take out what is being used. Get into the habit of packing things away in it at the end of the day to make sure the garden does not look and feel crowded. 

Install an outdoor tap.

You might not have enough space for an inflatable pool, but an outdoor tap and hose will allow for water play during the summer whether it’s filling water balloons, watering the plants or giving the bikes a clean. Water play has so many benefits for children. 

Buy an inexpensive pop-up tent.

It makes for a unique place to play with toys in the garden without being directly in the sun. It will also give your children the option to have some space for themselves if they do not want to play with their siblings. It is also easy to store away neatly when not being used.