How to toddler proof a concrete garden?

[Marieo]

Very fortunate to have a garden, but it's all concrete slabs (we wanted to pull it up and put grass in when we moved, but haven't had time yet), and where DS is walking now I feel very on edge. He is 18 months so wouldn't leave him alone in the garden anyway, but thinking of ways to make it safer. I bought some cheap foam interlocking mats but they don't do much, was thinking of some playground style mats but obviously they are very pricey! Anyone done the same, any ideas? Or did you find patio was fine?

You don't toddler proof it because you will be with him always while he is at the learning to walk very wobbly stage.
We have a garden with concrete, steps and lots of trip hazards and sharp edges. You watch the kids initially and then they learn that concrete is hard, edges are sharp and to be careful. Rather than they bounce around in a soft bubble and don't get to learn...
The only garden accident we have had (mine are 6 and 3) is a bloody child's 'safe' garden toy - so go figure that...

Hi OP we are the same our garden is concrete slabs too my DS nearly 3 years old and my DD 1 year old have both learnt to be able to cope with the concrete we pay close attention to them both my DS is better now but never stopped him going out in the garden to play my DH did build decking at the back with fake grass on top maybe that's something you can look at artificial grass not sure if there's somewhere that would deliver it in today's circumstances but worth a thought

Other than that just carry on and keep a close eye they soon get better with their balance and understanding of what's dangerous

Thank you both, that's what I wanted to hear I keep a close eye anyway, now he is walking more it keeps me fit anyway! I have bought a few more foam pads for under some of his toys, as even though I'm there just in case.

You do absolutely nothing.

Don't get me wrong, you'll have moments when your heart stops and moments when you'll throw your coffee to the side to run over and catch them before they fall, but you still don't do anything to you garden.

Haha yeah had a few of those already! I've bought some cheap mats for under the playhouse and under the picnic bench just to make it more comfortable, but feel more confident now in just leaving it :)

We took the sofa cushions from the garden furniture and put them over sharp edges when ours DCs we're learning to walk but basically we just supervised closely.

Don't toddler proof the garden, garden proof the toddler. Lots of bubble wrap and parcel tape. (I'm only half joking as I seriously considered doing this for my DD when she started walking).

Agree with above regarding concrete. We used the play mats and also a roll of artificial grass just to make sitting on the ground a little more appealing but it also had the effect of softening a stumble slightly. But they do learn.