01 Apr Fun ways to get the kids into the garden

With much of the nation’s families spending more time at home, Natalie Crofts has put together a range of outdoor activities to help keep the little ones entertained

A garden is an extension of the classroom; it provides a place to learn, discover and improve skills while engaging all of the senses. There’s nothing quite like squishing your hands into the dirt for the first time or smelling a spring flower. Getting out into the garden with your children not only provides a chance to bond, but it will teach your child patience, responsibility, scientific concepts and more about where their food comes from.

Weekends and school holidays provide ideal opportunities to spend more time outside, and with our round-up of fun gardening projects and activities, you’ll have as much fun as the kids getting your hands dirty.

Grow an egg box garden

Cook eggs for breakfast and keep the box aside for this fun gardening project! This is a great way to give your little helpers a space of their own to grow and nurture plants with very little outdoor space required.

You will need:

• At least one egg box (you can cut up egg boxes if you have more than one participant)
• Potting mix
• Seeds of your choice
• Comfort 8-Pattern Flow Control Sprayer*

Instructions:

1. Simply fill the egg box cups about halfway up with the potting mix.
2. Sprinkle your chosen seeds into each cup – no more than five seeds per container.
3. Cover the seeds with a thin layer of soil and gently water – the ‘misting’ setting on your Comfort 8-Pattern Flow Control Sprayer is ideal. The cardboard will soak up the water, helping to keep your soil moist for longer.
4. Position your egg trays in the sun and water regularly. Once your seedlings are big enough, you can simply cut up the egg tray and plant the cups directly into the soil where they will eventually break down into compost.

Tip: If you want to keep the egg box gardens inside on a windowsill, it’s a good idea to pop them on to a plate or inside a waterproof container to prevent spills.

Make mud pies

Getting your hands messy is one of the great joys of being a child, and with this activity, your kids are sure to delight in being given permission to play with mud!

You will need:

• Garden Apron*
• Bowl
• Garden Trowel*
• Mixing spoon
• Dirt
• Premium 7-Function Spray Gun*
• Colourful stones, flowers and/or leaves

Instructions:

1. The first job is to put on some protective or old clothing – the  Garden Apron is ideal as it is machine washable and can be adjusted to fit.
2. Now for the fun part! Use the Garden Trowel to start scooping dirt into the bowl.
3. Once full, use the shower setting on your Premium 7-Function Spray Gun to add water.
4. Roll up your sleeves and start mixing the soil and water to make mud.
5. Once the mud becomes firm enough to shape, grab a chunk and roll into a ball and flatten to form a ‘pie’.

To finish your masterpiece, decorate with stones, flowers and leaves from around the garden.

Fun ways to get the kids into the gardenDesign plant labels

Now the kids have a few seeds growing, why not help them design some fun labels, so they don’t forget what they’ve planted?

You will need: 

• A4 piece of paper
• Pen or pencil
• Slate Plant Labels*
• Chalk or Silver Permanent Marker Pen*

Instructions:

1. First, take a piece of paper and a pen or pencil and trace around one of the Slate Plant Labels.
2. Use the tracing as a template for your design, have fun coming up with what you want to write and draw on your label.
3. Next, take a Slate Plant Label and copy your chosen design on to it. If you make a mistake, you can always turn the label over and start again.

Tip: When the time comes that you want to wipe the label clean and start again, you can use a cloth and methylated spirit to remove the marker pen. This should only be done by an adult.

Garden fun for kids brought to you Hoselink* All these items available online.