Parents need to encourage children to play in the garden

by Taryn Davies | 22 June 2011

Encourage the children to play in the garden more

Children these days are spending on average less than an hour each week playing in their garden, compared with their parents who spent at least three hours in the garden when they were younger.

The survey also found that two thirds of yound people today prefer indoor activites such as watching TV or playing computer games to playing outdoors.

But this should come as know surprise when more figures have been released indicating that we are being crippled by obesity and the conditions which relates to this, mainly being Type 2 Diabetes.

Nearly three million Brits have the disease which is caused mainly by obesity and poor diet and close on 900,000 are unaware that they have it.

Will Williams, nutrition and fitness manager, for leading organisation All About Weight, says: "I'm constantly amazed by the 'so what' attitude many people have to this chronica condition, which can have awful consequences like inferitility, losing limbs and/or sight, kidney damage, circulation problems and heart disease."

PlantforLife are attempting to encourage children to get back into the garden, and hopefully encourage them becoming more active. Studies show they could have long term positive effects on their health with evidence suggesting exposure to nature is good for both the physical and psychological health of children.

Sensory gardens are designed to stimulate the five senses and benefit children in a number of ways, like developing thinking and communication skills and improving emotional well being.

Chris Collins, celebrity gardener and PlantforLife spokesperson says: "Sensory gardens are a great way to tap into children's creativity and imaginaation, and encourage them to get outside and play in the garden again, just like we used to when we were kids.

"There are so many things you can include which will excite the senses such as wind chimes, water features, shrubs and flowers - which will not only encourage wildlife but also make your garden a magical place to be. Creating a sensory garden is easy, it doesn't have to be expensive, and gives children a reason to keep getting out into the garden time and time again. It's also something the whole family can enjoy."

PlantforLife have developed The Sensory Challenge guide which helps you design your very own sensory garden, this summer.

This includes things like:

For taste - try growing your own fruit and vegetables, like carrots, strawerries and tomatoes.

For scent - roses are most probably best - plus their scent is said to have a calming effect.

For touch - plants like lambs ears, silver sage and globe thistle will give you different sensory experiences

For sight - ornamental grasses are visually stimulating - even in winter

For sound - a pond with a small waterfall will bring sound into play