I planted a mix of plants in some long troughs to block access for my toddling son to the steps in my garden - he seems to run down them and ending up on his face.

I planted a mix of Box, Lavender and Rosemary with tall flowering bulbs - Gladioli, Lily, Freesia and Harlequin.

So I have a barrier that works but also is part of the garden. Another idea would be to allow your toddler to plant in a trough - potato, carrots and peas come to mind. Am thinking of doing that next year.

you could make the steps into a slope thats a lot more gentle perhaps .

Stair gate in the conservatory doorway?

In 1971 our, then, just crawling son would crawl out of the patio doors in the dining room fall down two steps going 'ugh, ugh' crawl across an area of grass and settle himself down in the veggie bed where he proceeded to eat worms, grubs - basically anything he could grab! My reaction was to stop sterilising his bottles and let him do what he liked. He rapidly learnt that wiggling his fat bottom round and going down ass first worked better than landing on his face... George your son will learn how to navigate the steps but if you block them off he will put all his efforts into getting past this obstacle!

Sorry to all you young Mums who thinks this sounds harsh... small children are rather more resilient than you think!

Hurray Moongrower!! My kind of Mum. But how about putting rubber mats on each step and one at the bottom. Teach the toddler how to go down the steps backwards - makes a good game.

Now that is a good idea Steragram!

Rubber mats are a good idea. My son has slid backwards down the house stairs since he was 1. The problem with my garden is that is slopes at one corner very suddenly. This is also the place where every ball and toy ends up.

The problem tends to be the gradient of outdoor steps not the steps themselves.

im in faver of moon grower here and know rubber mats . most things you learn especialy as a baby are about your amediate surroundings excuse my spelling .most things are learnt the hard way in the long run . obviusly you dont want them to realy hurt themselves thow if there realy young you would be keeping an eye on them anyway . i think perhaps something to hold onto to help get up and down the steps perhaps ?