Fun Summer Garden Projects to Get Growing
While Summer in the UK is usually a mixture of good and bad on the weather front, it’s the perfect time to get children involved in the garden. Now that the children are on school holidays, it’s a great way to make the most of your outdoor space while also engaging your children in creative and educational summer garden projects.
Spending time gardening, remodelling and playing with the landscape are activities that don’t have to cost the earth – forgive the pun! – as well as offer a great deal of benefits to children’s development. Not only does gardening provide a great opportunity for fresh air and exercise, but it also teaches children about nature, responsibility, and creativity.
Here are some fun and simple summer garden projects for kids that you can do with your children to make your garden a special place this summer.
Step 1: Plan Your Garden Together
Involve your children in the planning process. This will make them feel invested in the project and excited about the outcome. There are summer garden projects that can get children involved in garden design, such as:
Choose the Plants
Let your children pick some of the plants. Vegetables like cherry tomatoes, peas, and carrots are easy to grow and fun to harvest. Flowers such as sunflowers, marigolds, and nasturtiums are bright and cheerful choices.
Create a Garden Map
Draw a simple map of your garden space and plan where each plant will go. Use colourful markers or crayons to make it fun.
Step 2: Start with Seeds
Planting seeds is a magical experience for children as they watch them grow from tiny seeds into full plants. These are incredibly fun summer garden projects for children of all ages.
Seed Starters
Use egg cartons, yoghurt pots, or biodegradable pots as seed starters. Let the children decorate the pots to make them special. Choose fast-growing seeds like radishes, beans, or sunflowers to keep them interested.
Label the Plants
Create fun labels for each plant. Use craft sticks, stones, or old spoons and let the children decorate them.
Step 3: Create a Themed Garden
Themed gardens can spark imagination and make the gardening experience even more engaging. Some ideas for your summer garden projects include:
Fairy Garden
Create a fairy garden with small plants, miniature houses, and fairy figurines. Use moss, pebbles, and small flowers to decorate. Let your children make fairy houses from natural materials like twigs, leaves, and bark.
Pizza Garden
Plant ingredients that can be used to make pizza, such as tomatoes, basil, oregano, and peppers. Arrange the plants in a circular bed to resemble a pizza, with each “slice” containing different plants.
Step 4: Build a Bug Hotel
Encourage beneficial insects to visit your garden by building a bug hotel and spending time getting creative this summer.
Materials Needed
Use natural materials like sticks, pinecones, bamboo, and straw. Stack these materials in a wooden box or an old crate to create different layers and compartments.
Assemble the Bug Hotel
Let the children help with collecting materials and assembling the hotel. Place the bug hotel in a quiet corner of the garden where it won’t be disturbed.
Step 5: Install a Mini Water Feature
A small water feature can add beauty to your garden and attract wildlife, making it one of the best summer garden projects to do with kids.
Use a large, shallow container filled with water and add some aquatic plants. Place stones in the water for birds to perch on and take a drink.
Show the children how to keep the water clean and top it up regularly, teaching them responsibility.
Step 6: Create Garden Art
Adding art to your garden can make it a vibrant and creative space, not to mention the feeling of pride it will give your little ones when they see their creations displayed which is why it os one of the best summer garden projects to do with kids.
Collect smooth rocks and let the children paint them with bright colours and patterns. Use the rocks to decorate garden beds or as plant markers.
Make wind chimes from old cutlery, seashells, or small metal objects. Hang them from a tree or pergola where they can catch the breeze.
Step 7: Grow a Sensory Garden
A sensory garden can stimulate your children’s senses and make the garden experience more enriching.
Choose plants with interesting textures like lamb’s ears, succulents, and grasses. Plant fragrant herbs and flowers such as lavender, rosemary, and mint. Use brightly coloured flowers and plants to create visual interest.
Step 8: Harvest and Cook Together
Teaching children to grow their own food is a valuable lesson, and cooking together can make the experience even more rewarding. Show the children how to identify when vegetables and herbs are ready to be picked. Let them help with the harvesting and taste the fresh produce straight from the garden.
Use the harvested produce to make simple recipes like a fresh salad, herb butter, or a veggie pizza. Cooking with the food they’ve grown will give your children a sense of accomplishment and pride.
Step 9: Create a Wildlife-Friendly Garden
Encouraging wildlife in your garden can be an educational and rewarding experience for children, and can be done through the following summer garden projects:
Bird Feeders and Bird Baths
Set up bird feeders and baths to attract birds to your garden. Teach the children about different bird species and their habits.
Planting for Pollinators
Plant flowers that attract bees and butterflies, such as lavender, echinacea, and sweet peas. Explain the importance of pollinators in the ecosystem.
Step 10: Keep a Garden Journal
Documenting the garden’s progress can be a fun and educational project for the children. This can be done through:
Daily or Weekly Entries
Encourage the children to write about what they see in the garden each day or week. Include drawings, pressed flowers, and photos.
Observations and Discoveries
Note any changes in the plants, weather conditions, or wildlife sightings. This helps children learn to observe and understand the natural world around them.
Additional Tips
- Patience is Key: Gardening teaches patience. Remind your children that plants take time to grow.
- Celebrate Small Wins: Celebrate every little milestone, like the first sprout or the first flower.
- Stay Safe: Make sure that any gardening tools and chemicals are safely stored away from children.
Conclusion
Creating a garden with your children is not only a fun summer project but also an educational one. It teaches them about nature, responsibility, and healthy eating while providing quality family time.
With these fun and engaging summer garden projects, you can transform your garden into a special place that the whole family can enjoy.
For more gardening tips and inspiration, check out our other blog posts to discover more ways to make your outdoor space special. Contact our team today for more information and professional landscaping services.
FAQs
What are some easy plants for children to grow?
Easy plants for children to grow include cherry tomatoes, peas, carrots, sunflowers, marigolds, and nasturtiums. These plants are quick to germinate and fun to harvest, making them perfect for keeping children engaged and excited about gardening.
How can I create a themed garden with my children?
To create a themed garden, choose a fun concept like a fairy garden or pizza garden. For a fairy garden, use small plants, miniature houses, and natural materials like twigs and pebbles.
For a pizza garden, plant ingredients such as tomatoes, basil, oregano, and peppers, arranging them in a circular bed to resemble a pizza.
How do I make my garden more wildlife-friendly?
Encourage wildlife by setting up bird feeders and bird baths to attract birds. Plant flowers that attract bees and butterflies, such as lavender, echinacea, and sweet peas.
Explain to your children the importance of pollinators and teach them about different bird species and their habits.
Contact ALS Landscaping
If you would like to find out more about our wide range of landscaping and garden design services please contact the team at ALS Landscaping today.
