Projects to try

Quick floral results

Plant seeds of fast-growers, such as sunflowers, and chart their growth by measuring them against the height of tiny tots. Tough seeds such as calendulas or pot marigold (pictured) and poached egg plants (Limnanthes douglasii) can be sown direct and can be relied upon to grow fast.

Crafty idea

Pressing flowers is rewarding for all ages, either press blooms and foliage in a purpose-made press or beneath heavy books, to make cards and bookmarks.

Alternative planters

Find some unusual objects to plant up, making sure you add drainage holes. For example, you could use old wellies, tin cans or broken shopping baskets.

Pebble patterns

Older children could be involved in hard-landscaping projects, such as creating mosaic patterns using different-coloured pebbles pushed into wet concrete – an open invitation for a child’s footprint or handprint, to be compared as the child grows.