Can you speak to the parents or the landlord? Damage to your property is the responsibility of the parents if they allow their kids to do things they shouldn't.

Go out in the yard and when you get their attention, casually mention to the kids that the shrubs are full of really big spiders or something. That should keep them out.

You may sadly have to put up a fence - even if it is an inexpensive 4 or 5ft tall melded wire fencing (some are even vinyl coated). They sell it at places like Home Depot, Lowes, etc., in 50ft rolls. The laurels will hide it on your side and although it may not completely keep them from running into it, it should make a good % of them think twice about smacking into metal. Sadly today, there is a mentality that "kids will be kids" and no amount of alternate deterrant including contacting the parents, seems to help alleviate the problem.

Let's hope that the above suggestions can be helpful to you. In our case it wasn't only kids that liked to play with our lemon tree.
Often time adults were on the tree as well. Even a 6 feet block fence and dogs did not seem to slow any of them down. Finally,
we just got tried of it and cut the lemon tree down. We replaced it with a few Acacia. No more climbing instead now our back
yard has rock showers at times.

Good Luck, I can fully understand the frustration!

Thanks so much for your suggestions. I see I am not alone in this battle. Some people just have no respect for others property anymore. The parents and lanlord could care less and at what point is it cost effective to hire an attorney. thanks again...cindy

I wonder if you can apply something harmless (to the plants and kids) but either smelly or sticky or staining on the shrubs? I don't know what that substance is, maybe horticultural oil or something, that will either feel or smell bad, or get on their clothes, making the parents forbid them from touching the shrubs. You could put up a note that you've applied a treatment of some kind to the shrubs to give them fair warning.

Just a thought. I vote for something made from manure.

I grew up with parents who ended up using climbing roses to deter others from leaping into our yard from the 8ft wall at the rear of the property (where on the other side was a driveway that was raised about 7ft above grade due to the steep hill behind our house). Coming that way was their "short cut" to our street. Basically some old neglected "New Dawn" planted in a soil patch up in the driveway that were cascading over the wall were fed and encouraged to grow more and some "Blaze" were bought and planted in the yard against the wall and trained to grow up between the "New Dawn". Needless to say, the jumping into the yard ended rather quickly. There are remnants of similar such ornamental plants like that - roses, barberries, pyracantha, etc., strategically placed as deterrants. When we had an above-ground pool, the yard got fenced (basically required), but that didn't even stop them from climbing it if desperate - until those deterrant plants were put there. Eventually that group of kids finally grew up.

It is possible to enjoy your space if you know what to plant that can help deter. It won't eliminate all the intrusions, but it will help and add a level of ornamental beauty to the yard. For instance, pyracantha can provide late winter berries to birds once they have eaten the tastier ones earlier in winter - plus it's evergreen and might contrast well with the laurels since its leaves are smaller than the laurel.

saypoint - sadly when it comes to kids, bad-smelling makes no difference. Kids will also tend to ignore what parents "forbid". They'll probably just call it "the stinky bush" and continue their behavior because they don't have to wash their own clothes (Chores? What are those? You and I certainly know! LOL).

How about a nice toxicodendron with a cute little sign?

Um, how about talking to them. Kids (except for your pre-emergent socio-paths) are probably not trying to be destructive. They are playing. And thank god for that. They are not staring blankly at the tv or killing things on a computer game. Kids also tend to be very understanding of taking care of LIVING and LOVED things, like pets. So appeal to their natural youthful empathy.

Cindy in her yard: Hi guys. Don't you love these bushes. But you know what? They are really old and kind of fragile. I know it's great fun to play in them, but I'm afraid these old laurels can't take it anymore. Sort of like an old dog wants to keep playing but can't roughhouse any longer.

Kids: Oh, sorry. We didn't know.

Cindy: That's alright. I love these old plants and would like them to be around for a long time. If you'd like, I can help you plant something in your yard. They might not be big enough to play in now, but maybe someday some kids like you will enjoy them.

Just a thought
Patty

barefootinct- I wish I could have more faith in your solution, but in these times it is not appropriate for an adult (even a neighbor) to approach a child.

If cindyc1000 does not feel as though she can approach the parents with the same conversation you mentioned, then just try and find a quiet deterrent.

I might just try to find a stinky spray, or toss some pruned rose canes on the ground under the bushes or into them.

That sounds harsh and unfriendly, but these days people do not act reasonably or rationally to many every day common problems. Road Rage; Going Postal; child abductions; predators...

Too bad the stinky spray idea would sort of take the joy out of my wonderful, aromatic "french" lilac. Only five foot tall, it's trying to put on a good show except for the fact that someone's hacked some large branches out of it, completely messing up the emerging shape.
Don't people know lilac wilt the moment you pick them? Especially if you have to get them home before putting them in water.
I somehow doubt it was a kid who did this. Sadly, talking to the parents about your climbing problem isn't going to work if that is where kids learn to disrespect their neighbors.

I vote you plant several Mermaid Roses behind the Laurels. That should keep the little beasties at bay. LOL!

Alexa

Here is a link that might be useful: Mermaid Rose

I vote talk to the kids (nicely) first. Assume that they mean no harm.

Then, if your assumption is proved wrong, plant thistles on their side.

Use a product called "Tanglefoot", it's a sticky goo designed to trap ants and other bugs that climb trees. Would be unpleasant for kids too. Sold in nurseries.

I like Jenny's suggestion, and had barberry in mind. There is even a nice dwarf variety. Not familiar with her other suggestions, but would sure check them out. Sandy

I really feel for you. I've had terrible trouble with local kids trampling everything in my garden to bits... I even found them dabbing paint on the side of my house several times in one day. Asking them nicely really did nothing... they'd just stand there and refuse to move. I planted pyracantha, rugosa roses, and some New Dawn roses in strategic spots, and my problem has decreased a lot! In another year or two I think the problem will be gone entirely. It's so heartbreaking to spend time caring for your plants, tending to them, planning, working really hard, and having intruders come and destroy all of it in one careless afternoon of "harmless childish fun."