With the December holidays upon us and temperatures soaring, you could be one of many parents searching for engaging outdoor activities to keep the little ones entertained, otherwise known as ‘boredom busters’. 

Your garden offers the perfect playground for discovery, learning and fun. So, how can you make the most of the summer break with garden-based activities that will delight the kiddos?

Grow, grow, grow!

If we think adults love instant gratification, children love it tenfold. Luckily, our warm climate is perfect for rapid-growing plants. Try these exciting projects…

Plant microgreens in shallow trays and they’ll sprout within days. For something nostalgic: grow beans in clear jars with wet cotton wool to watch roots develop.

For the artists in your family, encourage the kids to start a cress head using an eggshell – they can draw faces on the shells. And for the kids who want to watch a flower bloom from scratch, plant marigold seeds – they germinate quickly and flower within weeks.

Create a pizza garden

Yes, you read correctly. Many of the ingredients that make pizzas so delicious can easily be grown at home. Transform a small patch or large container into a pizza garden! 

Plant:

• Cherry tomatoes
• Sweet basil
• Oregano
• Spring onions

Let your little ones tend their own pizza ingredients, then use their harvest for a home-made pizza party. In our summer heat, these plants will flourish with regular watering.

Nature’s art studio

Our gardens provide endless natural art materials. 

Get inspiration from crafts that you enjoyed growing up, like pressing colourful summer blooms and creating leaf prints with paint and interesting-shaped leaves.

For the younger kids, painting with mud and building fairy gardens with twigs, stones and petals can spark imaginations.

And for a twist on the usual garden accessory, make ‘wind chimes’ from seedpods and shells.

Wildlife watch

Summer brings abundant wildlife to our gardens. 

Engage your young ones by creating a simple bird feeder from pine cones and peanut butter. An instant bird magnet! Make your winged visitors feel extra welcome by making a shallow water source for them to cool off and clean in. 

Don’t chuck away overripe fruit; attract another winged beauty to your garden by setting up a butterfly feeding station with overripe apples, bananas and nectarines.

Edible garden adventures

Nothing excites children more than eating their own produce. Start these easy edibles:

• Strawberries in hanging baskets
• Cherry tomatoes in pots
• Baby carrots in deep containers
• Mint for homemade lemonade – yum!

The garden lab

Turn your garden into an outdoor laboratory where your kids can conduct their own experiments. 

Start by measuring and recording plant growth in different areas of the garden. Set up a simple experiment comparing plants in sun versus shade, or those receiving different amounts of water. 

A compost bin makes an excellent scientific study – children can observe how different materials decompose over time and learn about the cycle of nutrients. They’ll also discover the world of garden insects, learning to distinguish between helpful pollinators and garden pests.

Sensory activities

Creating a sensory garden experience opens up a world of discovery for your children. 

Plant aromatic herbs like lavender and lemon balm where they can brush past them to release their scents. Include plants with interesting textures – the soft, fuzzy leaves of lamb’s ear (Stachys Lanata) never fail to delight little hands, while succulents offer firm, smooth surfaces to explore. 

Add musical elements with wind chimes and ornamental grasses that rustle in the breeze. Complete the sensory experience with bright flowers in every colour of the rainbow, creating a feast for the eyes.

Safety first

Remember these essential tips:

• Always supervise garden activities
• Use child-safe tools
• Keep toxic plants out of reach
• Ensure regular sun protection and hydration
• Store garden chemicals safely away

Making memories

Garden activities create lasting memories and valuable life lessons. Children learn patience, responsibility and environmental awareness while having fun. They’ll discover where food comes from and develop a lifelong appreciation for nature.

Start with one or two activities and let your children’s interests guide you. Don’t worry about perfect results – the joy is in the journey. Visit your local Stodels garden centre for child-friendly tools, seeds and plants to start your holiday garden adventure today.