At what age do children most need/use a garden?

[Mirrorxx]

We are looking for a new house and are trying to decide what we can compromise on. Do very young children use a garden much or is it more when they are school age?
Thanks

My preschool children love having a garden. They would spend most of the day outside if they could.

Under 14. 2 up were outside for hours with mud kitchen/sand pit/water tray and slide along with ride ons and balls etc.

If the house is near a park then garden would be used 0-11 years old (depending on area)
Pre-schools kids would use it more than an 11 yo but a 11yo would still enjoy playing outside on a trampoline iyswim

Age 3 upwards. We used the garden most ages 3,4&5 but still use it a lot now at 9&11.

If the house is near a park and you don't mind taking them out a lot then you could compromise but having a primary aged child play in the garden without supervision makes things easier for parents

Depends. My 14 and 17 year olds are playing cricket outside right now

From when they can walk.

DD loves being in any garden whether it is to play particularly with water or to look at wildlife. She isn't yet 2.

My almost 2 year old has enjoyed the garden since she was mobile, crawling in the grass etc. When walking, plays in sandpit, loves paddling pool and outdoor water play, can play with paint outdoors, etc etc. Older sibling was same. It isn’t a huge space but I’d hate to be without a garden to chuck them in while I’m making tea! Also means I can sit drinking a cuppa or sunbathe in relative peace while they play.

Age 1 to 10. Particularly age 3 or 4 to about 8 or 9.

Although if you never get an Xbox/PlayStation/similar you can probably eek that out a bit.

Age 2 and up with the preschool/nursery years being key as they are not yet in full time education.

My 2 year old is only not outside today because we are having a new fence fitted. We use it a lot.

My 2 & 3 year old are constantly in the garden- we moved when oldest was 9 months and so glad we did when Covid hit!

Mine are 9 and have spent the last week in the paddling pool, we eat outside a lot and they still use their swing set, play cricket nad football, swingball. Cant see that stopping any time soon.

I would never not have a garden if possible.What are the other compromise options.

Even my 8 month old prefers the garden to the house. He gets really bored playing with his toys in the house but as soon as we are outside he is happy again. My 9 year old with autism also uses it a lot, especially his basket swing.

We prioritised a decent size garden. It meant we didn't get other stuff, like a kitchen you can eat it, but I am so so glad we prioritised a garden. Children of all ages love gardens. It really makes your life easier and their life better if they can get out and play.

The house we like does have a garden it’s just not big enough for a lawn like other houses we have seen.
The other areas we could compromise on are distance to tram stop, kitchen size, number of bedrooms or area.

All the time since day dot. They are 20 and 14 now. Still out there all the time. It has been great for paddling pools etc over the years, even this year we have had a blow up spa thing ( my eldest bought it himself ) and they are never out if it. Handy when they had their friends over and still now. All the mess stays outside and when they were younger they used to love being in the paddling pool with their friends, painting , making these annoying loom band things that kill your hoover, shaping burgers for the bbq, making and applying tomato sauce for pizza's etc. Basically anything that kids love doing and can make a mess with, is so much easier outside!

During lockdown the garden provided basically all our entertainment, trampoline, spa and bbq dinners. I feel so grateful to have had the garden during this time. It allowed me and the DC's a bit of extra space and activity that we would not have had.

I also love the garden, out there most days rain or shine. Planting herbs /veg and trying to grow other bits. We grew a pumpkin one year, the kids loved checking on "him" every morning and making sure "he" was ok and survived the night! I often remember that and smile to myself. We would not have that memory without the garden. I am downsizing in a few years to be mortgage free , i will happily drop a reception room, a bedroom or two, even a downstairs loo.. and ensuite.. but a garden will always be non negotiable for me.

If i have grandchildren, i will need a garden to do it all again with them! I also love the garden. I do not think we would have faired so well during lockdown without one and the kids were able to reconnect with friends once restrictions were eased thanks to the garden. My DC's are aware now that others have not been so fortunate to have a garden and they are really starting to appreciate it now, having taken it for granted all their lives.

Op, i think the key here is outside space. Can you post a pic of the garden at the house you are looking at? A generous paved terraced area can be adapted well for kids, actually better for pools and trampolines etc as level. You could dig out a small circular area to turf if you wanted?

I guess what i and a few others are saying is that yes, an outside space is good when you have children, if you can, it does not have to be big. Just a space to place a paddle pool or a few grow bags or to place a soft blanket/old duvet for kids to sit on and play on by them selves, let off steam or with friends.

My 18 month old and 4 year old LOVE being in the garden and always have!

I don't think I'd worry too much about a lawn - they just need some outside space. From late primary my DC would meet friends in the park if they wanted more space to kick a ball around but for pre schoolers a safe outside space is perfect when they need a change of scene and some fresh air.

Depends on how much space. My 9 year old can't play football or cricket in the garden any more because its too small. If it was bigger he would use it more. However we bought this house knowing there was a park about 100m away at the end of the road which means he can (could before COVID) just go to the park instead.

So I guess I'm saying it is more important if you don't have any public outdoor space nearby.

I actually think it's much more important when they are younger. My 2 year old uses the garden more than my 7 year old. But I would say definitely up until secondary school it's probably important, the years when they will be at home because they can't wander off unsupervised like they can as teens. I would say that neither of mine used it much until they were walking though, so not as tiny babies.

A garden is a must for all ages I think. I thought about lots of people’s suffering during lockdown and kids without outside space was high on my list! A relatively child proof garden is a godsend, even a small one can make so much difference. Enough space to kick a ball around is ideal.

My DC love being in the garden and so do my DGC. Having a garden has given them all a love of flowers and nature.

There are so many things you can do in a garden.