Do kids’ toys and play equipment ruin gardens?
Access to nature is a fundamental right that every child should enjoy and those who are fortunate enough to have a garden should be encouraged to revel in it. Science has shown that forging a connection with nature is a vital part of positive development and holistic wellbeing. As a society, we need to place far more importance on providing opportunities for nature-based play from a young age.
Co-designing with students from Sulivan Primary School to create my Chelsea 2024 RHS No Adults Allowed Garden has shown me just how important this is. Sulivan is a state school based in inner London yet still manages to provide a wealth of opportunities for natural play with a wild garden, pond and allotment. The result is a school full of children who have a deep appreciation of nature and are attuned to the environment.
In my experience, Sulivan is the exception rather than the norm. With significant external pressures and dwindling budgets, natural play opportunities in schools are becoming increasingly rare. This is particularly evident in urban settings and means that our gardens are playing an ever-greater role in this story. They are a significant resource and can provide havens for children during those crucial years of development.
I would encourage all parents, homeowners and gardeners with children to integrate natural play opportunities into their outdoor space, no matter how small or large. Children don’t need designated play areas or purpose-designed equipment that may clutter your garden – they are blessed with vivid imaginations and a genuine love of the natural world. An exploratory secret space, home-built den, sensory planting or climbing tree is enough to spark the imagination and inspire.
Children are the future. In a changing world with a growing environmental crisis, we need to foster the next custodians of the land. Nature connection is the gateway to inspiring a new generation of gardeners and environmentalists. Where possible, it’s our duty to provide them with these opportunities at home.
When my children were small, quite a lot of the
garden was given over to their various amusements and entertainments – fair enough, it was their garden as well as mine. There was a plastic
