Creating a secret den in the garden

[Merrow]

We've a DS who is 4 and one of those children who loves hiding in nooks and crannies and in bushes etc. He'd absolutely love a treehouse, but we don't have the garden for that! However we've a bit behind the shed that I think we could turn into a bit of a secret hideaway. DP is very skeptical, but happy for me to do whatever I want as it's not an area that can be seen from the house.

This is the area. I currently don't like him playing there because of the gap by the shed, so I've got as far as getting someone round to quote for making the surface level (probably paving stones for ease of maintenance). I thought some solar lights, blackboard paint on the shed, maybe some of that camo netting that would need to be pushed aside to enter it. I'm worried it might be incredibly lame though... It is a small space, roughly 2m by 1m.

What was not added to my post - I'd like some ideas or reassurance that it's a good idea!

Lovely idea!! A bench might be nice on one side that he can sit on and read?

A bug hotel if he’s into creepy crawlys?

definitely make sure there’s no gaps in fences too.

We had a similar spot in the garden growing up - not ‘designed’ at all but a nook behind the shed. We loved it, and it often became a space ship/ fairy castle/ spy HQ/ anything else.

great idea!

Sounds great! You can get bean bags suitable for outside (obvs don't leave them out all night) but would be comfy in there.
How about some kind of storage so he can keep some things out there? Toys, books, secret stuff?

Also, could you put hooks up on the shed and fence so he can make different dens with blankets or camp nets.

I think it will be nice when he’s a couple of years older but four is maybe a bit young if he’s out of sight and earshot. Is the area enclosed? Can he slip out the gate etc?

something like this could work this year until he’s a bit older https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/special/children/childrens-bean-teepee.htm

Great idea op.

There's a few ideas, but you probably don't have enough space for some.

Tunnel

Thank you for the ideas! It is completely enclosed on 3 sides and he'll never be in it when I'm not in the garden, which is very small so I'll always be in earshot. I'm not envisioning him off playing while I'm in the kitchen for instance, just as I'm too paranoid! He's physically a pretty timid child so I don't think there's much trouble he could find himself in...

The planting stuff looks very cool but I don't think there will be enough light behind the shed and there's no other space in the garden.

He does like collecting little treasures (we have a permanent display of pine cones and snail shells...) so something to store things like that is a good shout. Somewhere to sit is another good idea. He strikes me as the type of child that when he does learn to read will take himself away with a book (although this might be wishful thinking!)

The fence belongs to the neighbour so I'm wary of putting any hooks or anything on that, but I think there's enough support options on our side to think about things that can be draped, thank you!

Maybe see if there's a way of balancing garden canes on the fence and on a hook the other side, then hang blankets over that?
Easy to take down at the end of the day and reconfigure in different ways.

I think it's a lovely idea, OP, and a great way to encourage your little one to enjoy the garden. My DS quite a bit older, but enjoyed digging himself a trench in the garden, then covered it with sticks. It's a pond now, but was fun while it lasted.

A mud kitchen would be great with a few shelves for keeping ingredients on. You could make a little doorway to go through with a deconstructed pallet maybe? Or you could willow weave a wall with a door hole in if you are creative? I think you can buy green willow online

that looks great.

I'd go for something that is flexible and that your child can have a role in building / rebuilding. half the fun of a den is building it - my kids love building their own dens in the garden, but the fancy pre-built treehouse in their grandparent's garden is ignored because it is 'dull' - it looks just like a picture book treehouse but actually has much less scope for play.

So cushions / hooks / netting are all good.

what about a little shelf to put a book about finding monsters or a tin of food supplies for a long expedition etc?

and binoculars to spy on the grown-ups.