Gardening with your kids
The summer holidays have already begun or are about to begin. If you have children in school, the holidays mean they have a nice long time off school. That makes the summer holidays the perfect opportunity to do some gardening with your kids. Gardening encourages curiosity, a sense of responsibility and a love of nature. So it's fun and educational! There are plenty of activities you can do in the garden with your kids this summer!
Sowing and planting
To give your garden more colour and life, summer is the ideal time to sow or plant flowers, herbs or plants. Let your children choose which flowers or plants they like and help them get started. Have them sow seeds in the ground and fill pots and containers with potting soil and then place the plants in them. And don't forget to let your kids water the newly sown seeds or plants they have planted.
If you have a balcony or a small garden, sowing and planting in pots and containers is the ideal activity! Put your kids in charge of the plants they have planted so they can take care of their own mini garden.
Watering plants
In summer, it can sometimes be hot and dry for long periods of time. Your plants will then need some extra water. Put your kids in charge of watering the plants in your garden! Teach them how to tell when plants need watering, when in the day it is best to do it, and how to use a watering can or sprayer. If they later have their own garden, they will know exactly how to care for it in hot weather!
Crafts
Nature is a source of creativity. You can make all kinds of artwork using natural materials or build an insect hotel, for example! Let your kids gather the materials themselves and get to work together. An insect hotel will bring bees, butterflies and other beneficial insects to your garden and you can decorate the garden nicely with the artwork. So there are plenty of options!
Tip: plant butterfly plants and bee plants near the insect hotel to create the ideal habitat for insects.