National Children’s Gardening week is a great way to encourage and celebrate children’s enthusiasm to connect with nature, learn about plants, and develop a love for gardening. Usually held  at the end of May / early June, this week provides a fantastic opportunity for parents, educators, and community members to engage children in a range of exciting gardening activities. There is no better time to get your little ones involved. 

With a focus on education, creativity, and hands-on experiences, this week-long celebration offers countless opportunities for young children to discover the joy of planting, cultivating, and harvesting. The activities organised during this week are designed to be both fun and educational, providing children with valuable skills and knowledge that will stay with them for a lifetime.

Spending time with nature have many mental health benefits and can be enjoyed by children of all ages. You don’t even need a large outdoor space, check out your local garden centres to see if they are hosting any events or create your own fun activity in your back garden. For some schools, it may or may not fall over half term, depending on where you are in the country, but this shouldn’t deter you from taking part. 

We will explore a variety of exciting and educational ideas for celebrating National Children’s Gardening Week, promoting a deeper understanding of the natural world and adopting a sense of responsibility towards the environment. Plus, let’s not forget the fresh air!

Planting Seeds

A great place to start is by planting seeds for them to grow their own plants. All you need is a small pot, seeds, ice lolly sticks, and some compost. This will allow them to explore the difference between edible plants and non-edible plants, potentially learning about growing their own food. You never know, if your child isn’t a fan of eating salad leaves, could that change if they grow it instead? It’s worth a shot! They could grow colourful flowers and learn about how nature uses these flowers to create food and pollination. There may even be a workshop being run by local community groups to encourage little green fingers. 

School Garden Projects

There are many schools who have embraced the idea of creating and maintaining a school green. This is an important educational activity allowing children the perfect opportunity to work together to create ideas. Many students have the chance to care for their school gardens. This will not only teach them about teamwork but provides valuable lessons about patience, responsibility, and caring for the environment. If your school does’t have a school garden, maybe you could suggest they set one up. They’ll also learn that nature takes time to do it’s thing, they won’t see instant results. 

Family Fun

This is a great opportunity to have some quality time with your family, and create wonderful ways you can create something in your own garden at home. There are so many things you can create as a family; a bug hotel, set up a bird pond, a pinecone bird feeder. If your child prefers bugs, bug hunts. One of the other benefits of this is spending time in the great outdoors. Check out social media, there is so much information and it won’t be long before you find a list of fun activities to do as a family. Here’s a great one I found. 

Nature Scavenger Hunts

It’s not just about plants, it’s also a great introduction to loving nature. You can organise nature scavenger hunts in local parks or nature reserves, encouraging children to explore the outdoors, observe different plants and insects, and learn about the ecosystem. Here are some downloads that can help you. Not only does this make nature fun to learn about, but it encourages a deeper appreciation for the environment they will inherit. I Spy is a great game to make learning fun. 

Storytelling

Children are naturally imaginative so this is a great activity where you can share stories that centres around nature. Check out your local library on books about gardening adventures, magical plants, or the wonders of the natural world. Encourage them to imagine a fairy garden or even magical gardens; who lives there, what are their names, what goes on, what does it look like, do they go on adventures? This not only nurtures their love for reading but also sparks their curiosity about the world around them. The National Children’s Gardening Week website has a great download where little ones can learn to grow food in partnership with The World of Peter Rabbit. 

Education

This is a great opportunity to educate young people about environmental conservation as a whole and sustainable living. As parents and teachers, we can teach children about the importance in protecting the planet. They can learn about composting, saving water, how to recycle, and animals in their habitats. You could even try swapping plants with friend and neighbours. Worksheets on the environment is a fun way for them to foster an understanding about the world around them. 

In conclusion, National Children’s Gardening Week is a wonderful time to inspire and teach children the endless benefits of connecting with nature, being part of a community garden, cultivating their curiosity, and developing a lifelong love for gardening. They’ll learn about their responsibility towards the environment and nurturing future stewards of the Earth. 

Children learn through hands-on experiences, and creative endeavours.  As children plant the seeds of curiosity and care, they are sowing the groundwork for a greener, more sustainable future.

If you’re looking for more information, check out the National Children’s Gardening Week website 

If you’re looking for some eco-tips for sustainable living, check out my YouTube video