Gardens are a great place for kids to run around and get that all important fresh air and exercise. The addition of a toy or two will mean you can keep them happily occupied for hours.


Swings are perennially popular: Make sure the size and style is appropriate to the age of the child. Better still buy one which has changeable seats so you can upgrade as the child grows, or simply ring the changes now and then.

Slides come in all sizes: They can be independent structures or attached to climbing frames. You really do get what you pay for in this instance. Do your homework. Is a metal or wooden frame best for your garden. How much use will it get and how many and what ages of children does it need to support? Get the best you can afford and it will serve you for many years.

Trampolines: Are a relative newbie to the UK garden compared with slides and swings but they are rightfully popular. Even adults can’t resist them. You’ll need a flat surface, and a safety net is highly recommended. Most trampolining injuries occur when one child lands on another so buy the biggest your garden will allow. It’s almost impossible to police the ‘one child at a time’ recommendation so bigger is safer as each child has more space.
Kids love dens: Provide a Wendy house or a tepee and let their imagination run wild. If you have the funds you can buy an elaborate fort or tree house. If you don’t have space for a permanent Wendy house, provide poles and old blankets and let them construct their own!

If you have space for a sand and water area: Your children will love it. There are simple small plastic tables designed for the purpose and huge wooden luxury models complete with seats and sunshade. Use specialist play sand to fill it. Make sure you buy one with a cover to protect it from the weather and prevent neighbourhood cats from using it as a toilet.

Pool: We can’t all have a proper pool in the garden but most of us have room for a paddling pool. Add a couple of supersoaker water pistols and a waterslide made from heavy duty silicon and you’re set for an afternoon of splashy delight.

If you have a large space: Invest in some football goals or a badminton set. But for those who love to play games and have a smaller space there’s croquet or outdoor skittles. And there are now outdoor giant versions of family favourites like Connect 4, Jenga and Chess.

Time for some outdoor fun. By Tracey Anderson