Garden fun for kids

HANDS-ON: FUN ACTIVITIES THAT GET CHILDREN OUTDOORS AND CONNECT THEM TO NATURE

- Alice Spenser-Higgs

• The magic starts with planting seeds, says expert.

"Mummy, I am bored" is not the sort of cry that gladdens a mother's heart. Never fear; the garden is near!

The garden fun activities that get the kids outdoors and connect them to nature.

Although you don't need to tell the kids, the garden is a wonderful outdoor classroom. They get to learn about soil by playing in the mud, watching seeds grow, finding out about good and bad bugs, and much more.

The internet is a wonderful resource for parents looking for activities for kids of all ages. The magic, however, starts with garden seeds, says Marlaen Straathof of Kirchhoffs.

If there are leftover flower or veggie seeds, combine them with ingredients like crushed peanuts and pieces of dried fruit in a mix of suet, lard, or coconut oil, to make seed balls for birds.

WATCH THEM GROW

Sprouting seeds in a see-through plastic cup is an amazing introduction to the miracle of new growth.

All that's needed are clear plastic cups, some scrapbook paper or very light card, paper towel, a packet of garden bean seed, and water.