STUDY LEAVES
KIDS MIGHT BE AT HOME BUT THEY CAN STILL BE LEARNING. NOW IS AN IDEAL TIME TO INTRODUCE THEM TO NATURE WITH SOME SIMPLE GARDEN PROJECTS
WHEN it comes to keeping the kids entertained, gardens are great. Outdoor activities not only give them fresh air and exercise, but they can help build problem-solving skills.
I often take my own children outside for lockdown learning. There is so much they can learn from nature, and if you’re lucky enough to have a garden, it’s right on your doorstep too.
Equally, if you have a patio or balcony, there’s nothing to stop you using it for practical lessons.
Here are four fantastic projects that will keep kids enthralled. You never know – it might inspire a lifelong passion for the great outdoors.
CREATE A MINI-LANDSCAPE
WHATEVER your little one’s age or ability, create a landscape they will love at home.
Give them somewhere to grow things and create a fun scene with a mix of plants and household objects. In the past, I’ve used an old wheelbarrow, car tyres and Victorian sinks to create landscapes in.
But you can use whatever is at hand to fit your outdoor space, from ice cream tubs to takeaway cartons.
Move your container into position and make sure it has drainage holes so it doesn’t become waterlogged.
If you’re using a larger container, wine bottle corks cut in half will make sturdy non-slip pot feet.
Next, fill your container up with soil. If you can’t get hold of any shop-bought compost, use soil from your garden but be sure to remove any sharp objects or stones.
Try to get hold of some bedding plants like geraniums, which are easy to care for and stimulating to the senses.
But if you can’t shop-buy plants, try taking cuttings from your garden or ask a neighbour if they have any you can swap or share.
Herbs like rosemary, lavender and mint grow well and can be easily transplanted.
Once you’ve got some plants in place, use your child’s imagination to fill in the rest and set the scene. In the past, we’ve used bits from around the house such as lollipop sticks and used matches for fences and bridges, and gravel to mark out little paths. You can even fashion mini ponds using pieces of silver foil. The possibilities are endless.
BIRD FEEDING STATION
ONE thing the lockdown has done is encourage bird life, due to the lack of pollution, noise and traffic.
Many people are noticing more birds in their gardens and parks. And there’s no better way to encourage our feathered friends than by giving them a safe place to eat and drink.
You may already have a purposebuilt bird table but if not, a tree, fence or old tray on top of a box is also fine.
Having the feeding station off the ground will make it easier to enjoy the birds from your window, and protect them from cats and other predators.
Making fat balls is a great way to involve the kids. All you need to get started is some ordinary bird seed (preferably without peanuts at this time of year when they are a choking hazard to fledglings) and a couple of blocks of lard.
Breakfast cereal, cheese and raisins can all be added to give the birds more of a fine dining experience.
Using your hands, work the seed, cereal and other ingredients into the lard in a mixing bowl. They should be about the size of an apple, ideally.
Enclose a piece of looped string in the centre of each ball if you’re planning to hang them.
Alternatively, use old yoghurt pots to shape them if they’re going to sit on your feeding station.
When you’ve finished, place the balls on greaseproof paper and leave
Ladybirds, butterflies, bees, lacewings, woodlice and beetles are among the insects that play a vital role in the ecosystem of your garden...
them to set overnight in the fridge before use. Put a dish of water down to help birds as well. Insects will also be grateful.
Identify the birds you see using the RSPB’s simple online tool (rspb.org. uk).
A NATURAL TREASURE HUNT
LEAVES are often overlooked, but can be fantastic fun. Hold a scavenger hunt and encourage your children to find as many different types as they can.
Younger kids can sort them into piles of similarly shaped leaves, while older children can identify them using an online plant finder.
Try The Woodland Trust’s free tree identifier app (woodlandtrust.org. uk).
Once you’ve worked out what