The best kids’ gardening sets for messy play outdoors

Best for durabilityColourful, fun and practical, this quality metal gardening set is much more durable than plastic, so it can help with even the toughest of garden jobs. Safe for kids to play with, the set features no sharp metal heads and a practical tote bag, so your kids can take their tools to the garden and even the beach, for the ultimate sandcastle building. Includes: Rake, shovel, trowel, apron, tote bag, one pair of gloves and a watering can. Review: "I bought this set for my granddaughter for her birthday. She loves it and uses it in the garden all the time. I was very pleased with its quality. The design of the whole product is eye-catching and very pleasing for a young child."

Best for copying the grown-upsJust like their parent's gardening tools, this Bosch-design garden set is perfect for getting your little ones to feel like grown-ups. Like a grown-up, they can be pulling out weeds and loading them up into their own wheelbarrow, with work gloves to keep their hands protected. Includes: Wheelbarrow, a shovel, a rake and a pair of high-quality one-size-fits-all gardening gloves.Review: "Excellent! Perfect little outdoor toy. The wheelbarrow is a high-quality toy and perfect gift for your little one - brilliant on its own but fantastic with a spade, rake and child's gardening gloves included! Great value for money!"

Best all-rounderThe ultimate choice for groovy gardeners, there's nothing this set hasn't thought of. From a plant marker to giant sunflower seeds, this Little Pals toolset includes everything an aspiring gardener would need to get them off on the right track. Includes: Wheelbarrow, watering can, trowel, fork, plant marker, giant sunflower seeds, tool kit bag and gardening gloves.Review: "Loved the brightness of the colour - I bought the pink one for my one-year-old granddaughter. The tools are well made and have very sturdy metal parts, all come in a pretty little bag with compartments. Beautifully designed and the wheelbarrow has been in use collecting daises. Very pleased with this purchase."

Best gardening tool bagPerfect for your little helper in the garden, this adorable toolset would make a great gift for little ones who love getting a little bit messy. With an option to personalise the bag, your budding gardener will never lose a tool again.Includes: Personalised tool bag, multiple spades and scoops, a fork and a water spray bottle. Review: "The Gardening Set is lovely and small enough for a 4-year-old to enjoy safely. Being personalised means that our grandson will know it belongs to him. It has lots of compartments for all the gardening tools, and I imagine the water spray will be used for the flowers as well as many other fun games!"

Best gardening beltInspire any child to have fun in the garden with this perfect colourful and personalised set, bound to make any child feel special. Engrave any name or message into the wood handles and make digging weeds fun! Includes: Gardening belt, spade, fork and scoop.

Best for dino-mad kidsIf you've got a dino-mad kid who loves to explore, they'll enjoy this gardening set that's not just perfect for prehistoric garden digs, but includes access to a dinosaur activity eBook and dino handbook.Includes: Three piece garden tool set with rake, spade and shovel, gloves, dinosaur watering can and apron.Review: "This is a really good, well-made product. My little nephew loves being outdoors in the garden, and this set was perfect for him - especially the dinosaur-shaped watering can, which was a big hit!"

Best for creativityIf you want your little one to reap the benefits of gardening without accidentally destroying your flower bed efforts, try this miniature garden play set. Your child will be able to garden and create their very own enchanted forest around a flower pot cottage complete with fairy accessories. Suitable for children 3 years and over.Includes: A seed packet, watering can, rake, spade and shovel, seven accessories including doors, floor, table, chairs, parasol, lights, components to self-assemble gardening stations.Review: "Beautiful little set. Smaller than I thought it would be to be honest, but that is my own fault for not checking the size when I ordered. Got it for my nephew's third birthday as he is a keen gardener. He loves it. If my son wasn't so feral, I would buy one for him."

Best affordable gardening starter kitThis set includes everything your child needs to get their green fingers tingling and to start growing their own plants. Includes: Wheelbarrow, bucket, watering can, spade, scoop, trowel and rake, sieve and two plant pots.Review: "Excellent value and perfect for 'little gardeners'. Loved by our granddaughter for helping mummy and daddy safely in the garden. Excellent play value both in the garden and in the paddling pool and sandpit The buckets add lots of additional play value. Definitely recommend."

Best for being a friend to wildlifeIf your child loves nature and wildlife, this is the perfect gift for them. As well as including handy gardening tools, your little one can use the notebook to record insects, flowers or do leaf rubbings. There's also a ladybird house too so they can feel pride in helping to provide a home for Mrs Ladybird.Includes: Wooden ladybird house, tin planter, wooden plant marker, two fibre seed pots, children's fun seeds, gardening spade and A6 notebook with pencil.Review: "A gift for my Godson, he loved it."