Gartenparadiese für Kinder.

by Clare Matthews, Clive Nichols

"Matthews celebrates the antithesis of the look-but-don't-touch, no-kids-allowed landscapes...[She] carefully walks even the most tool-challenged adult through more than 35 dynamic projects, depicted in eye-popping photographs."-- Booklist"Interesting, entertaining, and educational for children and the young-at-heart."-- Library Journal"You can play in the yard, but don't go near the garden!" That's a familiar parental refrain, but gardens can be great getaways for kids. With the 50 colorfully illustrated, simple projects in these pages even the smallest lawn can become a children's paradise. Without compromising on safety, your pocketbook, or the garden's finished look, you can build brilliant hideaways such as flower teepees and washing line tents or construct innovative play structures including mind-boggling mazes and climbing walls. Children will blossom in these landscapes that inspire imaginative play, provide physical challenges, and nurture an interest in nature.

Genres: Gardening

Hardcover

First published October 28, 2002

Reviews

[Ti Su · Rating 2 out of 5]

Cute ideas, but likely for the family with many resources and the parent with endless time and patients. Anything touting a "for kids" title makes me think "by kids" but in this case I am mistaken. It's definitely an labor intensive idea book that I would imagine most average Janes wouldn't get around to finishing even one before their kids outgrew the fun it was meant to present.

[Linnae · Rating 4 out of 5]

10 chapters, each focusing on a different aspect of the child's garden: active play, furniture, water, growing things, wildlife, celebrations, safety, etc. After a brief introduction, each chapter then includes instructions for 4-6 projects to add this element to your yard/garden. Some of the really fun ideas: daffodil maze, foldaway playhouse, water serpent, lawn crocodile, kid-sized wildlife container pond, grass stools, and more.

Clear instructions, with bright color photos accompanying each step. Almost every project is geared for doing with little helpers.

This makes it so simple to add kid-friendly elements to what you already have. Even just adding a couple of the ideas can make a big impact. In fact, I have 3 or 4 in mind to do with the kids this summer. I'm going to buy this one just to have it on hand.

[Barb · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this book! The pictures are fantastic and feature real children really doing the activities listed in real gardens! A strange idea that seems to be missing from some DYI books. I have a strawberry fountain growing right now and the beans are sprouting for the teepee. I have tried the teepee before but I didn't have enough sticks. I love the spider web climber!

[Colette · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book has some really great ideas for making your yard a fun place for kids. I'm hoping to use some of the ideas this spring.

[Ohia · Rating 5 out of 5]

One of my very favorite children's gardening books!! Great ideas!

[Nancy · Rating 4 out of 5]

I got this book from the library and plan on buying it someday. It has wonderful color pictures with descriptions of many great ideas.