How to survive the summer with a crawling baby and a death trap garden?

[fadingfast]

Is a playpen the answer? Have never had one and don't like the idea of it to be honest, but no idea what to do with DD over the summer. She is 12 months, still crawling (will be a little while until she walks I think). Our garden is very hazardous - steeply sloping, low walls with sheer drops, steep steps etc. I can't bear the thought of being cooped up indoors all summer but don't know how we can safely play in the garden. I just don't know if a playpen will be big enough to satisfy a curious and mobile 12 month old.

Any ideas? Moving house not an option.

It will frustrate the hell out of her. It is a nightmare. You can get big stairgate type things for blocking off driveways and such like - would something like that be good to section off part of your garden that you'd be happy for her to crawl around? Ours is all patio with steep steps so is even worse. We just went to the park instead

What about some fencing to create a bigger than a play pen size area for her. Use tham along where low walls are and perhaps fit gates at the top of the steps.

12myh old won't be happy in a play pen for long.

We have a similar garden - may not quite so bad as not walls with sheer drops, but terraced with rockerery between. And has no shade as south facing on a hillside.

Crawling boy was Ok under tight supervision- so I had to play with him if we were out there.A tray of water and some bath toys was fun. Ditto painting with water on the paved terrace. We went to the park a lot and to a friend whos garden is flat and has shade.

i will be in similar boat - we have a roof terrace, planning on spending lots of the day at the park on a blanket with toys.