Going outdoors is a great way for children to spend their spare time, as it benefits their physical and mental health in equal measure. As well as playing games and sports, it’s also a good idea to encourage your kids to explore what gardening is all about, so we’ve popped together a few helpful tips. 

Give them their own space 

To get started, allocate a small patch of garden to the kids (separate spaces for each child if possible). Make sure it’s a sunny spot with good soil and let them know that this area of the garden is entirely their own. 
 
In doing so, your kids will immediately begin to get creative. Maybe they’ll decide to plant sunflowers that reach toward the sky, or perhaps they’d like to have a go at growing simple veg such as tomatoes, peas and salad leaves. Whatever the case, you’re giving them the opportunity to take control (with some help from mum and dad), which leads to a sense of responsibility and ownership. 

Provide them with gardening tools 

Gardening is all about green thumbs and earthy fingers, but you also need a few tools to get the job done properly and give each plant the best chance to grow. Depending on the age of your children, they may require their own set of mini tools. 
 
Children’s gardening sets are available from a wide range of retailers and you really don’t have to spend much at all. By giving them their own rake, watering can, spade and trowel, they can get cracking with ease. In addition, having their own tools makes them more likely to get out into the garden more often, plus they won’t be hogging your gardening fork when you need it most. 

Choose the right seeds 

As well as letting your little ones choose what to grow in their patch, make sure to help them sow the seeds effectively. Good starter plants are carrots, strawberries, pansies, tulips, daffodils and any other species that grows easily. Verbena is another strong choice, as it will attract butterflies to your garden and you can explain why supporting pollinators is so important. 
 
When it comes to growing food, it also helps to allow the kids to pick types that they enjoy eating. Whether it’s pineberries, pumpkins or peppers, they’ll love knowing that they can munch on what they've grown when harvest season arrives. It’s also a fantastic way to get more fruit and veg onto their plates without any arguments. 

Build a tepee 

Okay, it’s not exactly a tepee, but the building of a trellis fort is a really fun activity that you can enjoy together. Use branches or bamboo sticks and tie them up with twine, creating a place for the kids to grow vining plants like sweet peas, clematis and honeysuckle. 

We’ll look after the rest 

If you need help with your lawn or the rest of the garden, get in touch with us through our contact form and let us know how we can help. 
 
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