child friendly outdoor flooring

[sacbina]

not sure if this is the right place, but hoping someone might have a few ideas.

following an extension I've got the opportunity to rework some of a small garden to congregate all the kids toys/mess in one area. grass would be difficult as it's against a north facing wall. the only plants I've managed to grow there are ferns. I've also already got a whole bunch of play mats so wondered if I could lay some garden membrane, lay mats on top and then incorporate their sand pit, some planting and a climbing frame.

not sure what I'm asking really, but do you think this would work with drainage etc?

am on a budget, but would like their mess to be away from my lovely new kitchen

oh and also incorporate a little area for them to grow things

Have you thought about fake grass? It's designed exactly for the reasons you describe.

real grass fan here. tough rye grass grows in shade.

definitely considered fake grass, and if I had any money left it would definitely be my preferred option. the lawn we do have on that north side is now just moss, the rest of the lawn is clover, with very little grass leaves left at all!!

would my membrane and mats idea work?? have a very accident prone ds so also need to remove a small brick wall that holds the flower bed. not sure what or even if to replace that