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Original poster

How important is a big garden for kids?

39 replies

dontbringthatbirdinhere · 11/08/2022 08:33

We've recently found out we're expecting our first child, and are now thinking about moving house to a bigger property.

There's a house for sale in our village which is in a great location for the village, near good schools, very spacious inside but with a small garden (around 6 metre squared but very broken up by landscaping). Houses this size and within our budget are hard to find in this area, but we are happy to consider other areas.

It's 5-10 mins walk from a playing field with playground on one side and a big open field/common on the other.

We hope our next home will be our house for 10 years or more, so just looking for some Mumsnet wisdom on whether you would buy a perfect house with a smallish courtyard garden or whether you think a good sized garden is essential for kids, especially toddlers.

OP posts:
brookstar · 11/08/2022 08:43

Location was the most important thing for us.
We have a small garden - so enough for DS to play out but we're walking distance to parks, school, shops etc.

Cleothecat75 · 11/08/2022 08:46

Our garden is on the small side, slightly bigger than the one you describe, but not much. We got rid of all the borders and shrubs to give more practical space for the dc to play and I have pots in a corner of my patio.

Ive noticed that the size of garden on the new build estate is tiny. My friends garden is half the size of ours for the same number of bedrooms. It’s obviously more profitable to put in extra houses than to give houses bigger gardens.
In normal times the garden size is no problem us, we can take the dc to the park/field for games that need more space and to kick a ball about. During covid lockdowns it was a pain and we craved more space, but i very much doubt that will be an issue again. To me, the house size and layout is more important than garden size.

SliceOfCakeCupOfTea · 11/08/2022 08:48

I think it's important but not just for kids.
Ours is treated like an extra room in our home and is invaluable to us. A small garden feels claustrophobic

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Families
AquaticSewingMachine · 11/08/2022 08:50

Of course it's not "essential". Plenty of kids are raised fine in flats!

If they have a park or other accessible outdoor space nearby, they can do fine with a small garden or no garden at all.

SoupDragon · 11/08/2022 08:50

I think the location is the most important thing, followed by the space in the house then outside space. You can easily tweak the landscaping to make the most of a small outside space. I would never consider a house with no outside space, but a small garden can definitely be workable, especially when there is a good sized park within walking distance.

SatinHeart · 11/08/2022 08:51

I think it depends a bit on your lifestyle. We have 2 under fives who need a LOT of exercise and we did prioritise larger (and secure) garden space when we moved recently. But we work full time and so there's quite a few chores that need doing at the weekend. We can have the kids in the garden with their climbing frame and water table etc and keep an eye on them whilst getting on with things in the house.

Nearby playgrounds etc are fab and we use those plenty as well, but obviously one of us has to go with them. It's nice to know that isn't our only option to get them some fresh air and exercise when we have a lot on.

bringbacksideburns · 11/08/2022 08:52

Snap it up fast. You are minutes from open space where they can kick a ball.

Bemyclementine · 11/08/2022 08:52

I have two DC and would struggle without the garden. I live in an end terrace, so the gardens long and quite narrow but it's an adventure, the children can spend hours playing outside.

ScampiFlies · 11/08/2022 08:53

Ours is 8x8m on one side and at the back its a tiny bit longer but narrower with oil tank, whirly etc.
The garden is almost perfect for our needs. It can fit a small trampoline, a splash pad and a play tent and still has a seating area. DD likes football so we obviously have to go to the park for that kind of stuff but it's not far. I think interest rather than a lot of space is good too.

brookstar · 11/08/2022 08:54

I guess it depends whether you want to be near amenities /village life or if a garden is a priority.
We sacrificed a big garden and parking to live in a picturesque village where we can walk to everything.

We could have afforded a house with lots of land but it wouldn't have been in our ideal location and would have meant driving to see our friends and to school.

Bluevelvetsofa · 11/08/2022 09:01

We had quite a big garden, but the children didn’t use it much when they were old enough to bike round to their friends. Cutting the grass and keeping it tidy was a pita when you work full time. Didn’t miss it when we moved.

Overthebow · 11/08/2022 09:02

having a garden is important but a small garden is fine. I’d de-landscape it and just have grass and a small patio for some seats to give as much room for playing as possible.

BearGryllsDad · 11/08/2022 09:02

Location location location especially with a park nearby.

LionessesRules · 11/08/2022 09:03

6m2 sounds small - 2mx3m (or 6x1, or various other combinations) which is bedroom sized. So I'd say it's not ideal, but if that is what is available in your area, it is what it is. It sounds like there is plenty of open space around, so you will just have to use that if you go for the house.

GeriSignfeld · 11/08/2022 09:05

Back in 2005 the garden flat I lived in was being sold.

Still laugh at a potential buyer who came through & exclaimed what a wonderful garden for their children to enjoy.

Guys, it was a bloody courtyard!

Anyway aside from this irrelevant story, gardens are great for kids to play & explore in, so they aren't indoors on screens all the time.

Great for parents who sometimes want some peace & can banish the kids to the yard to run off some energy.

But I wouldn't say a garden is absolutely essential if you are an active family who spends a lot of time outdoors & live near local parks/bushland.

Lots of people in NYC must raise kids without having a garden & they seem to survive...

BearGryllsDad · 11/08/2022 09:07

In catchment for a good school trumps nearly everything I would say. Even if you get the child into a good school then move. Make a lush patio area and remember your DC won't be walking for a while anyway and then will be under close supervision.

MrsPelligrinoPetrichor · 11/08/2022 09:09

AquaticSewingMachine · 11/08/2022 08:50

Of course it's not "essential". Plenty of kids are raised fine in flats!

If they have a park or other accessible outdoor space nearby, they can do fine with a small garden or no garden at all.

We didn't have a garden at all until ds was nearly 6, we were 10 mins from a huge park and out every day.

mondaytosunday · 11/08/2022 09:12

I had quite a large garden but still took the kids to the park and playground.
As my husband used to say: a small garden is fine for little ones and once they are old enough to wield a cricket bat/kick a football no garden is big enough! Also think of upkeep.
Location and house over garden.

MrsPelligrinoPetrichor · 11/08/2022 09:13

mondaytosunday · 11/08/2022 09:12

I had quite a large garden but still took the kids to the park and playground.
As my husband used to say: a small garden is fine for little ones and once they are old enough to wield a cricket bat/kick a football no garden is big enough! Also think of upkeep.
Location and house over garden.

This!!

Squirrelsnut · 11/08/2022 09:13

We have a small garden but it was fine for DS to pootle around in when he was small. He used to ride his trike around it to deliver letters like Postman Pat! 😁
Large gardens are a lovely bonus but by no means essential

HauntingScream · 11/08/2022 09:14

It's not essential, but given the choice, I would put some priority on a decent size garden.
For us, it's not just for play for dcs, we love being outside too. I'm sitting outside right now having a coffee and will probably spend most of morning and evening in the garden.
You may hate being outside and could sort out the garden so your dc have enough space to play safely.
Whatever fits in with your lifestyle.

Mischance · 11/08/2022 09:22

I would prioritise a reasonable-sized garden for children. There is a whole world of a difference between them popping in and out of the back door to make mud pies, make a den, splash in a paddling pool - and getting them ready (shoes on, coat on, pushchair prepared etc. etc.) and traipsing to a park where they cannot scratch around making their own games.

If you can afford a garden, then go for a garden.

Confession time: I once locked my children out in the garden - I had mega PMT and was feeling awful and judged that they would be safer and happier away from me. It was a safe garden with loads to do of course.

Original poster
dontbringthatbirdinhere · 11/08/2022 09:22

LionessesRules · 11/08/2022 09:03

6m2 sounds small - 2mx3m (or 6x1, or various other combinations) which is bedroom sized. So I'd say it's not ideal, but if that is what is available in your area, it is what it is. It sounds like there is plenty of open space around, so you will just have to use that if you go for the house.

Sorry I got my wording wrong, I meant it's 6 metres by 6 metres.

OP posts:
Original poster
dontbringthatbirdinhere · 11/08/2022 09:26

Thank you for all your advice, it sounds like it would not be a big deal at all. You've put my mind at ease.

I think a lot of the issue is the landscaping at the moment, if we cleared that and put in a lawn/smaller patio it would be a similar size to most of the new build gardens these days.

It's a walled garden, so I think with some great planting and good layout it could be really beautiful and useable.

Definitely agree with the PP who said it should be an extension of your home. This garden has patio doors out from the kitchen/diner and living room so would be exactly that.

OP posts:
InDubiousBattle · 11/08/2022 09:32

6mx6m sounds great. It's nice with toddlers to have a little sandpit/ball pool/paddling pool and somewhere to do messy things but you really don't need a big space. We have a bigger garden (but by no means huge) and my 7&8 year olds wil play in it for a bit but when they want a proper run around we go to the park, they also like scooting and bike riding which they obviously don't do in the garden.

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