CHILDREN'S GARDENS
Inspire creativity and exploration
Designing landscapes for children can nurture their physical, emotional, and cognitive development while fostering a deep connection with nature. As landscape designers, we have the opportunity to go beyond traditional play structures, crafting dynamic outdoor spaces that inspire creativity, exploration, and a lifelong love for the natural world.
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One way to approach children's garden design is using my Theme Garden Process (Garden Design Guide .004) that requires thoughtful translation of concepts into physical spaces. This process begins by selecting a central theme, like a children’s garden, then conduct research to understand its essence. You, as the designer, can then creatively translate abstract ideas into tangible landscape elements that engage and stimulate children's senses and imagination.
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Are you ready for this new journey?!
GOODNESS FOR YOU THIS MONTH
Below you will find several items to help you learn more about CHILDREN'S GARDENS. From written words to video to applied activities to our Design Library resources to group discussions. Explore our topic from different angles and gain a new perspective. Click on the images below to download PDFs of your Garden Design Guide and Activity. Further down you will find a video and links to our community, one bonus live session, plus a Q+A too!
VIDEO: Outdoor Playroom
I love seeing how others approach outdoor play spaces rather than using the traditional play structure. There are some fun ideas in this video. The next step would be to fold ideas like this into a garden room that is enclosed by a hedge or fence, plus has super cute furniture. How special would that be?
RESOURCES in our DESIGN LIBRARY
The resources below are a wonderful way to help strengthen the development of your CHILDREN'S GARDEN design.
THEME GARDEN PROCESS
This Garden Design Guide covers my THEME GARDEN PROCESS which is the underlying process I use to develop ideas for a children's garden...and, honestly, any themed/focused garden.
CHILD DEVELOPMENT EXTENSION PUBLICATIONS
These publications are a great way to study the developmental needs of children at different age groups. When you click on the link below it will take you to a landing page and you'll find the sheets listed to the right. These are free to download.
NATURE PLAY at HOME
This book, written by Nancy Striniste, is a great additional resource if you design a lot of children's gardens. I love how she connects play to nature and gives a broader (yet still detailed) version of how to design children's outdoor spaces. Below is an affiliate link to our bookshop.
OUR COMMUNITY
Don't forget to hang out with us this month.
Check in to share your activity. Try it yourself and/or learn from the submissions of your peers. No need to stress. Just enjoy!
CHILDREN'S GARDENS INSPIRATION + MOOD BOARD
We have two activities this month. Choose one, both or simply learn from your peer submissions.
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ACTIVITY ONE: Find an example of innovative children's garden design
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ACTIVITY TWO: Create a mood board to showcase your children's garden vision
Do you have a question?
Do you have a question on this month's topic or another design question? Let's all learn together!
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Click below to add it to our community.
Share a win!
What have you accomplished in the last month that makes you super happy? Let us celebrate with you!
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Click below to add it to our community.
LIVE SESSIONS
We have two this month: our normal Q+A, plus the second discussion of our book club. These will be recorded in case you can't make it (then posted right back here). Check out all UPCOMING MEETUPS here. I can't wait to see you!
BOOK CLUB: Resilient Garden by Tom Massey
Our Discussion:
Chapter Three | Analyzing Your Site (pages 060-091)
Chapter Four | Climate Resilient Garden Design (pages 092-155)
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Tuesday, February 11
10 AM PST | 11 AM MST | Noon CST | 1 PM EST
London: 6 PM GMT
Sydney: February 12 at 5 AM AEDT
Monthly Q+A
Let's catch up on this month's topic, plus share our activities. I can't wait to see you!
Tuesday, February 25
10 AM PST | 11 AM MST | Noon CST | 1 PM EST
London: 6 PM GMT
Sydney: February 26 at 5 AM AEDT
I'd love your feedback once you've devoured all this goodness.
Drop me a note at the email below and let me know what you loved and what could be improved. Thank you!
Please contact me at [email protected]
