Parasols and other ways to create shade in a treeless garden?

[accessorizequeen]

Bit stuck at the moment as our garden doesn't have any big shady trees so after midday it's roasting out there and no protection for the lo's. We were using our table parasol on it's stand and moving it around but it was so windy last week it got knocked over and is now knackered. We're not going out in the garden much at the moment because of this, babies won't wear their hats and I'm too bloody hot to stay out there keeping 4 children happy!

So I am in charge of buying a) new parasol for patio table and b) something to provide shade over the lawn. DP says a sail-like thingy wouldn't work, he's done some research . We have considered a temporary gazebo but they seem somewhat faffy to put up and down all the time. Any other ideas and good places to buy parasols? Looking for a 3m wide one preferably in green.

parasols half price in B&Q at the moment

What about a pop up Gazebo with guy ropes holding it down - they seem stronger than the gazebos with poles.

Another idea is a to build a wooden arbour and put some fast growing plants to grow up over it, like clematis, ivy, russian vine (although you will never been able to get of that if you plant it!).

thanks kbear. was thinking of b&q tomorrow for some other things so will have a look. shall research pop up gazebos. We need shade over the lawn so don't think wooden arbour would work although would look pretty have run into russian vine before...

Tesco direct have a 2.7m parasol for £7.79 just now