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my son's getting on for 4 now, but i don't think i'd add water anyway. people say you need a lawn for kids to play on, but our is too small for a proper game of anything anyway, and we're right next to a massive park with actual pitches.
@giles337 the book John Brookes Garden Design – the original version from the early 90s. It's possibly a bit dated now, but the design principles stand up (I guess, i haven't a clue about design or gardens but it makes sense to me).
fizzy.bleach-
It isn't dated in my opinion, I have yet to see anything close to its equal. If only clients would accept the costs.....
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If the lawn is a decent size then with kids it's a no brainer imo. That said our lawn was tiny growing up so I mainly played in a simple den structure covered in Ivy with a Mulberry tree in it to climb. So I'd go for dens and climbing structures.
The other thing that's cool that I saw years ago and want to incorporate into a future garden somewhere is using jungle-style plants as water substitutes.
Basically imagine Mikenetic's garden with ferns and hardy banana plants in place of the water.
If you got really creative you could make a bridge and then have an under section.
EDIT: I think the garden I saw used steel cages as walkways and tunnels. Pretty sure it was a Home Front w/t Diarmuid Gavin where it was a couple with a little boy.
ColinTheBald
hugo7
Well done!
I think that's a nice balance.
Idk what your situation is but worth pointing out the risks of a design like that with small kids. You wouldnt be able to leave them unattended