10% off all Trampolines, Water Park & Swing Sets - use SUMMER10

Free Delivery on All Trampolines*
0
GBP
0
GBP

Delivery all across the UK

4.6

Flexible interest-free repayment options

Categories

Recent Posts

Share

Space-Saving Outdoor Toys for Smaller Gardens

Urban living and modern housing often mean giving up expansive gardens in favor of compact outdoor spaces. This poses a unique challenge for families with kids: how to provide them with the necessary outdoor playtime without taking up too much garden space. The good news? Small gardens can be turned into lively, engaging and incredibly useful play spaces with careful planning and the appropriate equipment.

Plum® specializes in creating space-saving  outdoor toys that are both practical and fun. There are many ways to promote active play without sacrificing the design of your garden, regardless of how big or small your patio or green space is.

Why Outdoor Play Still Matters — No Matter the Size

Before diving into the toys, it’s important to remember why outdoor play is Important, especially in today’s screen-heavy world.

1. Physical Health

Outdoor toys encourage children to be active and promote a healthy lifestyle. From a climbing wall to a small swing, even small bursts of activity can improve cardiovascular health, muscular strength and coordination.

2. Mental and Emotional Development

Outdoor play has been shown to lower stress levels and improve mood. Outdoor play contributes to developing resilience, independence, and self-confidence, which are all important for emotional development.

3. Creative and Social Growth

Kids who play outside are more likely to create their own games, role-play scenarios and engage in meaningful interactions with siblings or friends. Kids Toys that promote cooperative play in small spaces—such as shared sandpits or activity centers—are useful in developing key social skills.

Smart Space-Saving Kids Toys from Plum®

Let’s explore some of the best space-saving outdoor toys from Plum® that are perfect for smaller gardens:

1. Surfside Wooden Sand & Water Picnic Table

  • Description: A multifunctional piece that serves as a picnic table and transforms into a sand and water play station.

  • Space-Saving Feature: Combines dining and play in one compact unit, ideal for limited spaces.

  • Price: £59.99

  • Age Group: Suitable for children aged 18 months and above.

  • Material: Made from sustainably sourced FSC® certified timber.

2. Garden Hut Wooden Playhouse (Teal)

  • Description: A charming and compact wooden playhouse designed for imaginative play. Pre-painted in a vibrant teal finish, it offers a cozy space for pretend games, reading, or even outdoor tea parties.

  • Space-Saving Feature: Compact footprint with a vertical structure ideal for smaller gardens.

  • Price: £299.99

  • Age Group: Suitable for children aged 3 years and above.

  • Material: Made from FSC® certified timber.

3. Plum® Wooden Climbing Cube XL

  • Description: A multifunctional adventure playset featuring climbing walls, ladders, monkey bars, a cargo net, and a hidden den. Designed to encourage active, imaginative, and social play.

  • Space-Saving Feature: Vertical design maximizes play value without taking up excess garden space.

  • Price: £649.99

  • Age Group: Suitable for children aged 3 years and above.

  • Material: Made from FSC® certified timber.

 

4. Discovery Mud Pie Kitchen

  • Description: An outdoor kitchen playset that allows children to engage in messy play, fostering creativity and sensory experiences.

  • Space-Saving Feature: Compact design suitable for small gardens.

  • Price: £249.99

  • Age Group: Suitable for children aged 3 years and above.

  • Material: Crafted from FSC® certified timber.

 

5. Rotating Metal Seesaw Garden Toy

  • Description: A metal seesaw that rotates 360 degrees, offering dynamic play.

  • Space-Saving Feature: Compact design with dual functionality—seesaw and spinner.

  • Price: £59.99

  • Age Group: Suitable for children aged 3 years and above.
  • Material: Durable metal construction.

How to Choose the Right Toy for a Small Garden

Before buying any garden play equipment, keep these important factors in mind:

1. Measure Twice, Buy Once

Be clear on the space you have, right down to the centimetre, including any clearance required around swings/slides.

2. Look for Multi-Functional Options

Find toys that do multiple things, such as a sandpit that stores when it's not in use or a playhouse with a climbing wall attached.

3. Opt for Portable

Look for things that can move when you are done using them, eg. fold away goal posts, stackable chairs, or rolling water tables.

4. Age-Appropriate

It's really important that the toy is appropriate to your child's age, interests and abilities. Many toys can be, or are designed to grow in use with your child, with some adjustable heights or additional components.

Layout Tips for Small Gardens

Along with selecting the right outdoor toys, a clever layout of your garden can make a big difference.

  • Create Zones: Allocate clear zones for a play area, plants and somewhere to relax.

  • Use Corners: Tuck playhouses, slides, or climbing frames into corners to maximize floor space.

  • Think Vertical: Consider using your walls or fences to provide a chalkboard, hanging garden, or mounted toys.

  • Include Storage: Use outdoor benches with built-in storage or wall-mounted baskets to keep things tidy.

Sustainability and Quality You Can Trust

Plum® is committed to sustainability and quality throughout all of our play equipment. Many of our wooden toys are made with FSС® certified timber, meaning the materials are responsible and sustainable so families can enjoy outdoor play that is validly safe and sustainable.

Top Safety Features Include:

  • Non-toxic paints and finishes

  • Rounded corners and protected screws

  • Weather-resistant materials
    EN71 safety standards compliant

You’re not just buying a toy—you’re investing in something that’s safe, long-lasting, and kind to the planet.

Real-Life Inspiration: How Families Use Their Space

Still not sure how to set things up? Here are a few real-life scenarios:

  • The Balcony Playhouse: One family transformed a long balcony into a small playhouse area using a Garden Hut and potted plants for a fairy-tale feel.

  • The Mud Kitchen Corner: Another placed the Discovery Mud Kitchen beside their raised beds, encouraging kids to “cook” while the adults garden.

  • The Dual-Zone Garden: A narrow garden divided into two halves—one with a climbing frame, the other with a herb garden with fold-up seating.

Final Thoughts

A small area can become an area for outdoor adventure, creativity and learning with a little thought into planning. Plum’s small range of creative, compact and multi-functional toys allows you to more easily create a play haven within a small garden.

With thoughtful planning, sustainable kids toys and a little imagination, your small garden can offer big fun.

Check out the range of space-saving toys at Plum® and start your children's outdoor adventure, no matter the size of your garden!
There are 0 item(s) in your cart