GARDEN TOYS/IDEAS FOR TODDLERS WHEN YOU HAVE A SMALL GARDEN

If you need some inspiration for some toddler garden entertainment ideas and you have a small garden or patio area then this is the blog for you. Listed below are my go-to activities and toys to keep the children entertained, and to get them out in the fresh air.

Water play in the garden is a big hit with my toddlers

The cherry blossom in the garden has burst into flower, the bees are out in their numbers collecting pollen and nectar, and the little buds on my hydrangeas are green and bursting…spring is officially here and I’m thrilled! Cue the happy sunshine dance…thank you sun for making an appearance, it’s much appreciated (and long overdue). Naturally, this whiff of spring has resulted in many people turning their attentions to the garden, and a friend asked me the other day about what garden toys we had.

We have a small garden that is on a slight slope, and a small patio alongside the side of the house for children related activities. So although our options are a little restricted, we have found a few bits work well for us and the children.

• Water play - This is a fantastic option for sunny days and cooler ones alike (when appropriately dressed). I popped to The Range and bought a big washing up bowl and filled it with warm water and bits like pouring cups, little toy boats, plastic spoons, watering can and mini aquatic animals.

• Paddling pool - This one is for the warmer weather in summer. Why not scale up the water play with this Intex small recatangular pool. It doesn't take long to pump up and acts as the perfect cooling and entertainment aid.

• Trampoline - We were gifted a mini Galt Folding Trampoline when Big Bee was 2 and this has hands down been the best addition to our garden. It’s a great introductory trampoline, and perfect if you don’t have lots of space. It’s also worked well with the slight gradient, but obviously the children are not left unattended. They have spent many an afternoon bouncing, sitting and rolling around on it. It’s the go-to piece for them and knowing how much they have used it, and love it, I would buy it brand new if we hadn’t of had the opportunity to recycle it. I can’t speak for other brands, but this one has been through three families and is still going strong. It’s easy to pack away under some tarpaulin at the back of the garden or small enough to fit into a large shed. It’s easy to lift with one arm and to tilt it up to rest against a fence of sorts, if you don’t want to end up with discoloured grass spots in the summer.

• Sand and water table - Our sand and water table was a hit last summer and although I found that the sand (also purchased from Argos) only went through the seahorse when it was exceptionally dry (invariably the sides were mixed up) this did not seem to bother my daughter and she spent much time engrossed. If we had enough space, I would have probably invested in a stand alone sand pit. However, we have two local parks with huge sand areas so I knew they would be able to get their 'big scale sand fix' there.

Some bare-bottomed sand and water playing from Big Bee (last summer)

• Balls - This is a nice and simple one. Without fail, whenever we go into the garden the balls come out. We have a Peppa Pig one that we picked up from Lidl and a multi-coloured star one we purchased when visiting the seaside. Kicking, throwing, hiding, bouncing - let their imaginations run wild!

• Bubbles - Bubble machine and bubble wands are a big hit with little ones and provide a great source of entertainment. Big Bee and Little Bee are big fans! So much so in fact that 'bubbles' was up there in being one of Little Bee's first words. We were gifted this whale machine for Easter last year, and we purchased these giant dinosaur sword wands off Amazon, but there are lots of different varieties.

• Gardening - Big Bee has taken a real interest in gardening and it was only the other day that I was showing her how to prune, and she was digging the flower bed with the trowel. Before now, I have purchased some little terracotta pots and we have potted up some petunias or primroses together, and we have sown some seeds from the garden centre and then watched them grow. We talked about what a seed is and what plants require to grow. It's not only a great way to get some fresh air, but it's also fun and rewarding for them. Even if you don't have a garden, you can still sow and grow indoors! Big Bee was given this Unicorn Magical Garden kit for her birthday recently and you can see our day 6 results below (obviously our Peppa Pig stickers had to feature for the unicorns).

The unicorns will be thrilled to hear that their food is growing quickly!

• Binoculars - Big bee was bought this pair recently and we have used them to go and explore the garden for insects. They have been a fun tool to help engage her with nature and learn more about the little critters that live amongst us.

• Ride-on - A Scuttlebug does not take up much space in the shed, and the children enjoy scooting around on it. They particularly love starting at the top of our slope and gliding down it. It's a great investment to take out and about too.

• Slide - A Little Tikes My First Toddler Slide is a great addition to the garden, and both Bees love not only sliding down it, but chasing each other around it, playing peekaboo through it, climbing up it - the list goes on.

• BBQ set - A recent charity shop find was a little BBQ set from the ELC. The children absolutely love playing with it and are engrossed for ages serving hot dogs and burgers.

What do you find that your little ones enjoy outside in the garden? Please share.