Getting our kids outside and into the garden can be a little challenging in these modern times.
Having to compete with screens and apps, plants can seem a tad bit boring to little minds used to artificial intelligence and altered reality inspiration.
A sensory garden is a place designed to stimulate, engage and trigger responses in children through the use of plants, textures, colours and intrigue.
It is meant to activate all the five senses – touch, sight, scent, taste and hearing – and in the process increase educational development, concentration, skill, development, ecological awareness, and academic learning in children … and adults too.
But foremost it’s a place of fun, adventure, exploration and play.
A sensory garden doesn’t have to be large or complicated, and there are some easy things you can do in your backyard to get your munchkins out and enjoying the backyard.
If you’d like some inspiration, take a look at the all-abilities playground at Pioneer Park in Landsborough. It is designed to stimulate the senses with things like a herb garden for smell, textured plants for touch and thong xylophone and pipe telephones for hearing.
Here’s a few things to consider when making a sensory garden.
You want them to get into the garden – so make it accessible. Plants need to be at their height; garden beds might need to be climbed or walked into; kids like taking their shoes off so surfaces need to be tender-feet friendly.
Being accessible means that plants and garden infrastructure will need to be hardy and resilient. You want the kids to interact with the garden, so things will be pulled, broken, snapped, rubbed, lifted and grabbed. Rocks will be moved and holes will be dug.
Safety is paramount – use non-toxic plants and materials, and nothing too sharp or spikey. Not sure about what plants are toxic … Queensland Health have a great website listing what to steer clear of (www.childrens.health.qld.gov.au/chq/our-services/queensland-poisons-information-centre/plants-mushrooms).
Water is a fantastic interactive element, but never have water any deeper than about 10cm, and keep it clean and toad-free. Maybe have some space where water can be tipped, trickled or poured.
Lights are great – especially motion sensors or moving lights … but stick to 12-volt systems which are safe, and don’t have cords and switches visible for little hands to find.
Kids like to eat – don’t we all – so having plants that they can pick and eat is a big incentive to them going into the garden. Mulberries, snow peas, carrots, spinach, cherry tomatoes, strawberries, beans, edible flowers like nasturtiums and violets, celery and of course herbs like parsley.
Have plants that they can crush and smell the leaves. Basil, rosemary, kaffir lime, lemon myrtle and mint are all great for this.
Touch is important for little kids and you can incorporate plants and features which have rough, furry, shiny, slightly prickly and even sticky. Talk to someone in a plant nursery to help you pick the right ones for your garden.
Don’t forget the sense of hearing. You can use windchimes, or musical instruments, or have a quiet space where they have to sit and listen to the sounds of the world.
Dress up your space with colour and whimsy. Kids love being surprised and revel in the quirky and unexpected, so let your imagination run free. Use colour, shapes, statues or sculptures, blackboards, balloons, streamers or tinsel – anything that makes the spaces fun.
And have space where the kids can be together and ‘chill’. You need to make sure that they feel that the garden is a safe space for them but somewhere they can develop their independence too.
