Byline: JADE WRIGHT
(9) Children's Wheelbarrow and Garden AccessoriesCAPTION(S):"It's worth paying a couple of pennies more to ensure a much more secure future for our wider environment, biodiversity and habitat," she says.All of the toys mentioned above are the top ten most popular outside toys for children under the age of twelve. The good news is that almost all of these toys are reasonably priced and great for backyards of just about any size. Why let your child suffer through a boring summer when a large number of fun outdoor toys are all within your reach?Fowler uses her council's green waste compost, called Care compost, sold at her local garden centre, along with peat-free multi-purposes from Carbon Gold, New Horizon and Vital Earth.Average Price: $45 - $100(7) Teeter TottersPeatlands provide vital habitats for wildlife, store greenhouse gases and release thousands of tonnes of carbon dioxide every year.(1) Sand and Water Activity TablesSimilar to the above mentioned water sprinklers, water guns are a fun way for children without a pool to stay cool. Water guns come in all different shapes, sizes, and styles. You can purchase a water gun that fits into the palm or your hand or you can get one that is so big it is about waist tall. Large water guns tend to have more force when it comes to dispensing the water. This means that most large water guns are not safe for children under the age of five.Gardeners' World presenter Alys Fowler, who is fronting the campaign, says: "Whether people think peat is the best option depends on if they''ve experimented with going peat-free. "Increasingly, those who go peat-free and get hold of good quality compost find there''s no argument. I don''t use any peat-based compost and I see no difference. I grow fantastic vegetables. "If you were trying to grow peat bog plants, there's an argument that growing them in peat is sensible, but the amount of people growing peat bog plants is tiny. What's happening is that a lot of people are using peat - up to 70% peat in some multi-purpose composts - for growing, say, tomatoes. But tomatoes don't need peat to grow."Sand and water activity tables are tables that allow children to play in the sand or in the water almost at the same time. Most tables are divided into two sections. A large number of companies make sand and water activity tables; therefore, you can purchase a wide variety of different table designs. Most sand and water tables are designed for children aged three and up.Many parents would like to get their children playing outside to get some fresh air and exercise. They are concerned about the rise of video games, the internet, and television that have kept their kids trapped inside their homes so much. In fact, studies show that childhood obesity has grown at an alarming rate during the past 10 years due to lack of activity and diet.Many parents and children mistakenly believe that teeter totters are only meant for the park. The truth is that there are a large number of teeter totters that are designed for backyards of all sizes. Large teeter totters can often be hooked into the ground; therefore, making it safe for older children or adults to use. Smaller teeter totters that are transportable and designed for children under the age of 10 can also be purchased.Another great toy to get kids active outdoors are garden hand tools that come with a tote. Most of these sets come with a trowel, rake and shovel. Younger children enjoy helping their parents out with these tools that are the perfect size for their hands. When they are finished with their job, they can put them away in the tote for storage or carry to different parts of the yard. However, there are other garden toys to consider.Most children know that plants need water to survive. A watering can help them care for the plants in your garden. Children enjoy playing with this fun toy that comes in many colours and shapes.(4) Slip and Slide Water Toys* BEST FOR GROWING: Gardeners' World presenter Alys Fowler says there's no need to dig up areas rich in peat - such as Connemara in Ireland, inset - when a good quality peat-free compost can outperform a peat-based compostFor more information on the campaign and to pledge not to use peat, go to www.idontdigpeat.org.uk
* BEST FOR GROWING: Gardeners' World presenter Alys Fowler says there's no need to dig up areas rich in peat - such as Connemara in Ireland, inset - when a good quality peat-free compost can outperform a peat-based compost
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