Your garden could provide a wonderful environment, allowing your children to play safely and happily. But are your children interested in garden games? Are they something you enjoy? If not, there may be some simple steps you can take to get more out of your garden space.

Too many children seem to spend too many hours indoors. This has always seemed a mystery to me. It seems strange to think that many children would rather sit indoors playing computer games, instead of enjoying more active activities.

This seems particularly strange on a hot summer’s day. Who would want to be sitting inside under those circumstances? When I see a kid sitting around watching TV or playing video games, I can’t help but wonder if he’s missing something.

They are certainly missing out on real exercise. Do they also lack the social contact they should have? Encouraging your children to spend time playing in the garden could be a more balanced approach, allowing them to have fun, exercise and connect more with the rest of the family.

This may all sound good, but how easy is it to encourage kids to put away video games and spend time outside? The answer is that it can be difficult. Many children see alternatives to video games as dull and boring.

Fortunately, you can help change their minds by providing a fun-filled garden setting. The key is to take some time to think about how attractive your garden is in terms of entertainment for your children. If it doesn’t offer much, then there is no better time than the present to make improvements.

This may seem like an expensive task, but it doesn’t have to be. There is a wide range of options available to you. You may choose to introduce some ball games, or you might consider installing a trampoline in your garden.

The possibilities are endless and there are toys and games suitable for gardens of almost any size. The important thing to do is to use your imagination – you will be amazed at what you can do.

If your children have never enjoyed garden games, this is your chance to help them do so.