The school holidays are upon us again – those brief but precious days when our little ones are home and looking for activities to keep their minds engaged and hands busy. 

For us, that means an opportunity to entertain the kids by introducing them to the wonder and rewards of gardening through simple, fun projects that can be completed during our short holiday period. Read on for inspiration for kids’ gardening activities.

Sock puppets with cress hair – a growing friend!

What you’ll need:

• Old socks
• Cotton wool
• Cress seeds
• Googly eyes and craft supplies
• Small plastic containers

This is a lovely easy garden craft project for children. Get them to fill a sock with cotton wool, secure with an elastic band, and decorate with eyes and a face using googly eyes and craft supplies. 

Place this in a container with a bit of water, sprinkle cress seeds on top, and watch as their puppets grow a wild green hairstyle within days! Children can trim their puppet’s ‘hair’ when it gets too long – and add it to sandwiches for a nutritious crunch.

Eggshell planters – tiny gardens with big impact

What you’ll need:

• Eggshells (halved and cleaned)
• Egg carton (as a holder)
• Potting soil
• Small, quick-growing seeds (basil works well)

Help your kids fill each eggshell with soil, plant one or two seeds, and mist daily. Once seedlings appear, the little ones can either transfer the entire eggshell into the garden (it will decompose naturally) or gift their tiny plants to loved ones.

Painted stone plant markers – practical creativity

What you’ll need:

• Smooth, flat stones (collected from the garden)
• Waterproof paints or markers
• Clear varnish (optional, for weather protection)

This project combines art with organisation – perfect for children who love sorting and labelling! 

Collect stones, clean them thoroughly, and have your kids paint pictures of vegetables, herbs or flowers on them. These can then be placed in garden beds to mark what’s growing where, especially useful during winter vegetable planting season.

Recycled bottle terrariums – miniature worlds

What you’ll need:

• Clear plastic bottles
• Small pebbles
• Activated charcoal
• Potting soil
• Small indigenous plants or succulents

Cut a large plastic bottle horizontally, fill the bottom section with layers of pebbles, charcoal and soil, then add small plants. 

Replace the top of the bottle to create a self-contained ecosystem that requires minimal watering – perfect for teaching the kiddos about our country’s water conservation needs while creating something beautiful.

The joy of growing together

These holiday activities aren’t just about keeping little hands busy, they’re about nurturing a love for plants, teaching responsibility, and creating memories that will bloom throughout the year. The joy on your little one’s face when they notice their first seedling breaking through the soil is priceless.

Remember, gardening projects build patience and understanding of natural cycles – valuable skills in our fast-paced world. So this holiday, don’t just entertain your children; root them in experiences that will grow into lifelong appreciation for our natural world.Visit your nearest Stodels garden centre for all your project supplies.