Safe play area/Sensory garden suit health issues

[TulipsfromAmsterdam]

Our youngest has a few health problems so we are looking to try and make yard area safe and also to help with sensory issues he has but have no idea where to start other than getting some scented plants like lavender.
Would appreciate any suggestions of other plants and recommendations for surface covering or any websites which may be useful.
The area is approx 30ft square so not very big and we have a playhouse which takes up some of the space ready for when he is a bit older. TIA

fennel might be a nice texture - very feathery? ferns might be the same?

sorry - I am actually a rubbish gardener. Lavender, sage, rosemary, different thymes etc are all lovely scents like you say.

I would love to say a water feature because the sound of running water is so soothing but I always worry about water around children. Wind chime things can be nice but perhaps if you had a bamboo one and kept it so you could take it inside with you when not out there it would be less annoying for neighbours because I am sure they can be irritating.

bright coloured wild flowers?

Thank you for replying. Will have a look at all those plants, as you say they are all lovely scents and the coloured wild flowers are also a great idea. I have stuck to similar coloured flowering plants until now so think this year will look for brighter colours. He does enjoy touching leaves and grass when we are out so will also look for texture.
He loves water and fountains so a small water feature may be ideal and something which hadn't crossed my mind.
Thanks again for some really useful advice.

Not to be nosy, but what kind of health issues need to be addressed when making a garden for your child?

I ask this because a small raised veggie bed might be ideal for one child, but entirely wrong for yours.

How about some Lambs' Ears (Stachys Byzantina)? Lovely, velvety feeling leaves.

A windchime might be nice?

bird feeding thingie? Can the child see?

bird feeding thingie? Can the child see?

useful ideas
apps.rhs.org.uk/schoolgardening/uploads/documents/sen_report2009-10_final_1049.pdf
apps.rhs.org.uk/schoolgardening/teachershome/resources/specialeducationalneeds/default.aspa

company may be able to advise on surfacing
www.timotayplayscapes.co.uk/special-education-needs-sensory-garden-design-build

www.kidsgardening.org/node/11435

useful on what not to do:
www.fandangodesign.com/grs/hussein.pdf

this rnib fact sheet has useful stuff on path width etc though it is for adults

www.rnib.org.uk/livingwithsightloss/leisureculture/homeleisure/Pages/gardening.aspx

nice short summary of plants for a sensory garden
apps.rhs.org.uk/Schoolgardening/uploads/documents/Plants_for_a_sensory_garden_270.pdf

paths are better 1.2m across. gravel paths are terrible for wheelchairs and walking aids. tarmac is not good for drainage. cobbles are impractical.

some good ideas in this portfolio though quite commercialised and not very homely.
www.senteq.co.uk/sensory-garden-portfolio.htm

you can get some lovely little rattan type planters from Homebase normally in the summer, we have a piglet (well I think that is what it is) but I have seen dog ones, chickens etc which add a bit of fun to it all. I have also seen something in the garden centre but have no idea what it is called, it is a sort of twirly spiral thing that goes round and round on its own (it hangs up) but is very soothing and pretty to watch. someone might know what I am talking about.

With the brightly coloured flowers I often just buy some mixed wildflower seeds and scatter them on a flowerbed or some long grass, the mix of cornflowers, poppies and other things I have no idea of their names is beautiful and they are very haphazard and relaxed looking plus they will attract butterflies.

Everything I came on to suggest has already been covered except to say that children always seem to love daisy type flowers - Leucanthemum, Rudbeckia, Asters, Echinacea, Erigeron karvinskianus. Feathery grasses are a hit too - Miscanthus, Stipa tenuissima etc.

Twirly colourful things to hang up are good from the pound shop, I'd suggest herbs etc and nothing inedible. But not knowing about your ds needs is a bit limiting for what advice to give.
Can he see plants and colours?
Would he want to touch them?
Does he need access for wheelchair/walker?
Would he be tempted to eat plants?
Would he be overwhelmed by twinkly fairy lights?