Win a Wickey Sandpit!

My bad luck turns into good luck for one of you lovely readers. I was recently given the chance to review a fantastic sandpit from Wickey. Unfortunately for me, I just don't have room in my garden for it.

This fantastic company stocks all outdoor toys from climbing frames, swings and playhouses to the fab sandpits that I was offered.

The particular sandpit I had to decline is a great size at 125cm x 110cm and comes complete with a hinged lid that allows it to be closed when not in use but turns into comfy benches to sit on when flipped open.

Outdoor Fun With Little Tikes

One of the things I wanted when we started looking for a house to buy was a decent size garden as the one we had previously was little and not exactly child friendly. Now we have lovely space outside. It isn't huge but it certainly allows for us all to be outdoors and enjoying the good weather (when we actually get some).

We even have a shed to store things in which of course now means that we need to fill our garden with some outdoor toys!! The eldest two have things like hoola hoops, scooters and roller skates but I wanted something more for Layla so that when her sisters are at school she can still play happily by herself.

Getting Artistic In The Garden

You may have noticed that we had some lovely sunny weather last weekend and or course you have to make the most of the sunshine, even if it is just sitting in your own back garden.

We recently took a trip over to Canterbury and whilst in our local Tiger Store, we purchased a box of 15 large chalks for a tiny £2.

Our garden isn't very big but we thought these would be perfect for the girls to start getting artistic in the garden.

The box contained 5 different colours :

red, blue, yellow, green and white.

There was three of each colour so plenty there for the girls to share.



It was nice to have an activity that the girls could all do regardless of their age and it of course meant that I could sit back and soak up the sun rays whilst watching them, bonus!!!

A Garden Without Weeds

I have to admit, I have never been very green fingered, I 've always left the mowing of the lawn to Daddy Hazelden and when it comes to weeding I try and avoid it, just like the bugs I find when I actually get around to doing it.

This doesn't mean that I wouldn't love a beautiful garden. Infact I have always dreamed of having a humungous garden with lots of room to run around and play, unfortunately I'm stuck with this garden instead :

My poor garden does get neglected some what and I think it really could do with some much needed TLC. I've always imagined colourful blooms, home grown veggies, the whole package so to speak. In the past my daughter's and I have attempted to plant our own flowers to brighten up our little outdoor space :

Seems my girls have their mum's genes because there appeared to be more weeds growing than flowers!!

When Tots100 and Activity Toys Direct offered bloggers the chance to try and win a garden makeover, I thought what the her, you've got to be in it to win it right? The challenge, what would I spend £750 on to make over my garden, well I've always loved a bit of fantasy shopping.

What I want overall is somewhere for both adults and children, family and friends to be able to come have fun, whether that means playing, getting those garden gloves on making things come alive or just sitting, relaxing and enjoying the surroundings. So what would I need to active this?

First up - Fun

Gracie really wants a bounceline (trampoline)  which let's be honest is fun for the children and all us big kids. The surroundsafe big bouncer from Activity Toys Direct looks perfect, not too big.

Next to add to playing element a sandpit. I've picked the Tp toys deluxe picnic table sandpit a) I love all wooden toys b) the fact it can be turned into a picnic table means the girls can sit and eat their meals outside, do drawing/creating outside too.

And just because I always wanted one and my parents never brought me one, a Little Tykes cozy coupe.

Second - Gardening

Well we already have a lawn mower so we are well on our way. I think other things we might need would include : gardening gloves (wouldn't want to break a nail), spade, fork, troughs for putting plants and vegetables in, seeds, watering can. I'm probably missing loads but I would be recruiting my lovely Nan to help show me the gardening way.

Third - Sitting, Relaxing

To be able to sit down and start chilling, a good set of table and chairs is what's needed. I like the look of the one below, perfect especially with the added parasol to shield from the sun because you know we always get glorious sunshine ;)

And lastly, what every good garden needs, a barbecue, now the question is gas or charcoal? Anything has got to be better than our efforts this year on the small disposable barbecues.

I think I've spent my pennies wisely but it is a womans prerogative to change her mind so these choices could well change if I was to actually have that money in hand!!

"This blog post is an entry into the Tots100/Activity Toys Direct garden makeover challenge."