Just imagine falling down on gravel...

Enchanted garden... neither - a green path...

I agree - neither seems very enchanted to me but of the two bark is softer to fall on.

Agree Stera... Asaund - how big is this area and what soil conditions do you have?

for me if i was doing an enchanted garden, i would use moss although i don't which type it is that you can use as ground cover.

For me, an enchanted garden is a clearing surrounded by high dense growth. I suppose bark but ideally grass would be the ideal clearing, assuming you can get a lawnmower to it as bark is not great to sit on/place a rug over - same for gravel.

I've noticed in the past that Fungi can and often grows on areas covered with bark chippings. As the bark decomposes (which it will) they grow. Not a good idea if children are going to have access.

Oh, I don't know, most fungi are interesting strange little beasts and might add to the enchantment! We grew up being told not to eat/touch them until we'd made certain they were ok. Get your point though. I think for ease of maintenance woodchip or bark. Woodchip drains more freely and is often free. Use some ferns and some small trees overhead for the woodland feel. A couple of large evergreen shrubs for them to hide behind when there's homework to be done? A little pond (safety taken into account, of course) might be nice, even a lined half- barrel which can be part screened by planting

Have a look at the following site. It talks about using tyre chippings, prices, depth and coverage but most important to me as a grandma it says the chippings are cat proof. Very important if you want to make this to be a kids only access area. the product is guaranteed for 12 years. Sounds good to me. I wonder if anyone has any experience of this type mulch? http://www.playbark.com/content/rubber-playground-chippings