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Keeping kids occupied in the garden

Wondering what to do when the grandchildren come round?  Why not introduce them to gardening?  There are lots of simple fun activities that will keep them amused for hours, writes Angela Youngman

Creepy crawlies

Children love searching for worms, beetles and other minibeasts.  These can be easily attracted into the garden by creating a log pile.  It doesn't have to be very big, just a collection of logs and pieces of wood in a shady spot, perhaps under a tree.  Leave some long grass around them and within a very short time, all kinds of insects will take up residence.  There might even be a grass snake if you live in the countryside.  When the grandchildren visit, take them down to the log pile and let them lift up individual logs and see what they can find.  A magnifying glass will help identify small insects. 

If they grow it, they'll eat it

Why not encourage them to grow some salad vegetables and annual flowers in a container?  An old tyre makes a very solid container.  Let them paint the outside in bright colours using some emulsion paint.  When dry, fill the tyre with soil and plant some quick growing plants like lettuce, radish, marigolds, or runner beans.  Each time they visit, they can see how their container is progressing.  Picking and eating the vegetables they have grown will make mealtimes even more interesting for them.  It will also help their education - schools are being encouraged to teach children how to grow their own vegetables. 

Smaller containers can be made to take home.  Use a shallow container filled with compost and sprinkle with mustard and cress seeds; perhaps write a word or make a picture. Water well and watch the garden slowly bloom.  Eventually of course, there is the fun of eating it.

Make-believe garden

Make some paper flowers and trees in autumn colours. Attach these to thin pieces of stick or wire covered in green or brown material. Place these in the 'garden'.  Add some little stones to make a path across the 'garden’. Some aluminium foil or glossy blue paper will make a little pond.

Art inspired by nature

In the autumn, collect up fallen leaves. Look for as many different sizes and shapes as you can.  Use these to make leaf prints.  Cover with paint and gently press the covered side onto the side of the pot.  Gently remove the leaf and an imprint will remain.  Older children could try turning the leaf prints into animals, people or buildings by adding extra features drawn on to the print, or by using a mix of smaller leaf prints. 

Leaf prints make wonderful pictures, cards or wrapping paper.  Let the children experiment with different leaves.  Which ones create the best images?  Do the leaves need to be dry and absorbent to give a good print? What of evergreen leaves?  What kind of print do they create? Mix them together to make distinctive pictures. A good supply of leaves will be essential - they soon begin to tear and can only be used with one paint at a time. 

This article was created: 4 July 2007.
This article was last edited: 4 July 2007.

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