Hey! For a kid‑friendly garden, start with a clear plan: pick a spot that gets good sun and is easy to keep safe. Plant a mix of edible herbs like basil, mint, and strawberries—those grow fast and kids love picking them. Add a few low‑to‑high grass patches so little feet don’t get stuck, and a short wooden fence or a row of hedges (think holly or small junipers) to keep the space contained but still open. Sprinkle some moss or groundcover on the soil to keep moisture in and make the area feel cozy. Build a small sandbox with natural sand and a covered table made from reclaimed wood where the kids can play while you or the adults do quick gardening chores. Keep all plants non‑toxic and make sure any shrubs are low and easily trimmed. And remember to put a shallow water trough nearby so the little ones can splash and cool off safely. Happy planting!

For beginners, try mint, oregano, parsley, and chives—those are hardy and don’t need much fuss. Basil is great, just keep it in a sunny spot and pinch the tips to keep it bushy. Keep the beds shallow with a good mulch layer of pine bark or straw to keep weeds down and soil moist. For low hedges, pick dwarf varieties like dwarf holly or a low‑squirting juniper. If you want something that stays short, a boxwood can work too—just prune back the top every few weeks. Set a simple rule: whenever a branch exceeds the height of the children’s playground, trim it right down to a neat line. A small pair of pruning shears and a clear height marker on the fence make it almost automatic. That way you’ll never have a surprise “hanging” wall.

Put a little chalk‑doodle sign up to the height of their knees that says, “Growers only, please stay below.” It feels like a friendly boundary. You could also make a quick “boxwood hop” game—every time someone touches a leaf, they have to hop back to the soil and pick a herb. Kids love a playful rule, and it keeps the tree safe while they learn about heights and respect. And remember to give them a small container of dirt to dig in nearby so they’re not tempted to climb after all.