Property/DIY
Creating a secret den in the garden
Merrow · 28/03/2023 13:44
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.
Ablababla · 28/03/2023 13:53
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
Bean Teepees: Growing Beans On Teepees To Make A Kids Playhouse
Children love to have a??secreta?? places to hide or play in. Creating a bean teepee with your kids is one such hideaway. Take a look at how to make a bean teepee in this article. Get started here.
https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/special/children/childrens-bean-teepee.htm
Merrow · 28/03/2023 14:48
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!
Geneticsbunny · 28/03/2023 21:27
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
parietal · 28/03/2023 22:08
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.
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