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Kids Crafts

14 Exciting Gardening Projects for Kids: A Step-by-Step Guide

by Donna May 23, 2024

written by Donna 8 minutes read

14 Exciting Gardening Projects for Kids

Gardening can be a fun and educational activity for kids of all ages. Here are 14 easy and engaging gardening projects that are perfect for primary school children:

1. Pot Up Colourful Containers

Materials:

Colorful plastic pots or terracotta pots
Peat-free multi-purpose compost
Plants from the garden center

Instructions:

Choose plants from the seasonal displays at the garden center.
Ensure the pots have drainage holes.
Fill the pots with compost until they are two-thirds full.
Remove the plants from their pots and place them in the compost.
Fill in around the roots with more compost and firm in well.
Water the plants and place them in a sunny spot.

2. Make a Fairy Garden

Materials:

Stones for paths
Twigs for fences
Ferns and other small plants
Ribbons
Cardboard or lid of an ice-cream tub

Instructions:

Find a spot at the base of a tree or in a hollow in the ground.
Help kids collect stones for paths and twigs for fences.
Plant ferns and other small plants around the trunk.
Tie ribbons to branches.
Decorate a piece of cardboard or the lid of an ice-cream tub to create a fairy door.

3. Create a Dinosaur Herb Garden

Materials:

Crate
Colorful dinosaurs
Herb plants (e.g., thyme, strawberries)
Marker pen

Instructions:

Stencil the child’s name onto the crate.
Use dinosaurs as plant labels.
Grow scented herbs and things kids will love to eat.
Write the name of each plant on the dinosaur labels.
Position the display in a sunny spot and water regularly.

4. Build a Twig Teepee

Materials:

Branches
Wall, fence, or tree

Instructions:

Help kids stack branches against a wall, fence, or tree.
Arrange the branches to create dense walls for privacy.
Leave an opening just wide enough for kids to crawl through.

5. Create a Terrarium Mini-World

Materials:

Large glass jar
Gravel
Compost
Succulent plants
Small toys (e.g., Lego people)

Instructions:

Place gravel in the base of the jar.
Top with a layer of compost.
Add the succulent plants and arrange them into a display.
Firm in with fingers or a pencil.
Add a little water and a layer of gravel to hold in the moisture.
Stand the jar on a bright windowsill out of direct sunlight.
Add small toys to create a miniature world.

6. Make a Bug Box

Materials:

Open-fronted box
Materials to fill the box (e.g., drilled log, pine cones, stones, broken pots, twigs, dried grass)

Instructions:

Help kids run around the garden to collect materials for the box.
A drilled log may provide a home for solitary bees.
Stacks of pine cones, stones, broken pots, twigs, and dried grass can attract ladybirds, woodlice, and even mice or toads.

7. Collect Seeds

Materials:

Plants with ripe seedheads

Instructions:

Show kids how to burst seedpods and shake seeds from ripe seedheads.
Help them design and make paper seed packets to store the seeds.

8. Make a Pond in a Pot

Materials:

Large, shallow container with no drainage holes
Pond and marginal plants
Oxygenator
Water

Instructions:

Add a selection of pond and marginal plants to the container.
Include an oxygenator to help keep the water clear.
Site the pond in a little shade rather than in full sun.
Keep the water topped up.

9. Grow Micro-Greens

Materials:

Seeds of any vegetable with edible leaves (e.g., basil, broccoli, spinach)
Plastic cups, yoghurt pots, or biodegradable pots
Compost
Water

Instructions:

Fill the pots almost to the top with compost.
Scatter the seeds thinly across the surface.
Cover with a little compost.
Water to dampen the compost.
Check the pots regularly to make sure they don’t dry out.
Place the pots on an indoor windowsill to grow.
Snip off the microgreens at the base to harvest them.

10. Create a Succulent Plant Display

Materials:

Succulent plants
Pot
Cactus compost
Horticultural gravel

Instructions:

Arrange the succulent plants evenly around the pot.
Fill in around them with cactus compost.
Top-dress with horticultural gravel.
Kids can add personal touches, such as toy dinosaurs, to make the display unique.
The display can stay outside over summer and then be moved to a bedroom windowsill in autumn.

11. Make a Grass Bucket Seat

Materials:

Old metal bucket or bin
Compost
Lawn seed
Water
Shears or scissors

Instructions:

Add drainage holes to the bottom of the bucket.
Fill the bucket to the brim with compost.
Sprinkle lawn seed over the top.
Water it well and leave to germinate.
Encourage kids to cut the grass when it’s thick enough.

12. Make Hanging Tin-Can Planters

Materials:

Tin cans
Hammer and nail
Paint
Compost
Plants

Instructions:

Punch holes in the base and near the top of each can for drainage and hanging.
Paint the cans different colors.
Let kids choose where to place the pots and hang them on nails.
Let kids choose what to grow in the cans.
Water the pots daily and encourage kids to remove dead flowers.

13. Plant Up a Funny Face

Materials:

Pot of cat grass
2-liter soft drinks bottle
PVA glue
Goggly eyes
Fabric scraps

Instructions:

Cut the soft drinks bottle to size.
Remove the cat grass from its pot and place it in the new pot.
Decorate the pot with PVA glue, goggly eyes, and fabric scraps to create a funny face.
Place the pot on a sunny windowsill and water regularly.

14. Grow Radishes

Materials:

Container
Peat-free, multi-purpose compost
Radish seeds
Water

Instructions:

Fill the container with compost and firm it down.
Encourage kids to make holes in the compost about 1 cm deep.
Drop a seed into each hole and cover with more compost.
Water the container well after sowing.
Water the plants frequently, especially in summer.
The radishes will be ready to harvest in about four to six weeks.

Gardening Projects

Easy and Fun Wind Chimes for Kids: A Step-by-Step Guide

by Gregory April 25, 2024

written by Gregory 3 minutes read

How to Make Easy and Fun Wind Chimes with Kids

Wind chimes are a beautiful and relaxing addition to any garden. They can also be a fun and educational project to do with kids. In this article, we’ll provide step-by-step instructions for making three different types of wind chimes with kids: a flower pot wind chime, a seashell wind chime, and a personalized wind chime.

Materials

The materials you’ll need for these projects vary depending on the type of wind chime you’re making. Here’s a general list of materials you may need:

String or twine
Beads
Buttons
Shells
Terra cotta flower pots
Metal objects (such as keys, game pieces, or bangle bracelets)
Sticks
Scissors
Hole punch

Step-by-Step Instructions

Flower Pot Wind Chime

Poke four holes around the edge of a plastic flower pot saucer, plus one hole in the center.
Cut five strands of colorful twine or string about 18 inches (46 cm) long.
Tie a large bead at the end of each string, then thread the strings through the holes in the bottom of 1 inch (2.5 cm) terra cotta flower pots.
Thread the strings through the holes in the holder and keep them in place by attaching large beads or buttons.

Seashell Wind Chime

Collect seashells with holes in them or go to a craft store for a collection of shells that come pre-drilled.
Show your kids how to thread string through the holes in the shells, making a knot after each shell to keep them in place along the strings.
Make five or six strings full of shells.
Tie two sticks into an X shape, then tie the strings to the X and hang it where the breeze will catch it.

Personalized Wind Chime

Gather a collection of unusual metal objects such as old keys, game pieces, small kitchen objects, or bangle bracelets.
Allow your kids to pick out the objects, and the more unusual the better.
Tie the collection onto a set of strings and hang them from a stick, or two craft sticks tied into an X.

Tips for Making Wind Chimes with Kids

Use recycled materials whenever possible. This is a great way to teach kids about sustainability and reduce waste.
Let your kids be creative. There are no rules when it comes to making wind chimes. Encourage them to use their imaginations and come up with their own unique designs.
Make it a family project. Wind chimes are a great way to spend time together as a family.
Hang your wind chimes in a place where you can enjoy their beautiful sounds.

Benefits of Making Wind Chimes with Kids

Wind chimes are a fun and educational project for kids. They can learn about different materials, how to use tools, and how to be creative.
Wind chimes can help to improve fine motor skills and coordination.
Wind chimes can be a calming and relaxing activity for kids.
Wind chimes can be a beautiful addition to any garden or home.

We hope you enjoy making these wind chimes with your kids!

Kids' Activities

How to Make Gourd Maracas: A Fun and Educational Project for Kids

by Gregory April 16, 2024

written by Gregory 4 minutes read

Learn How to Make Gourd Maracas: A Fun and Educational Project for Kids

If you’re looking for an educational and enjoyable project for your children, consider making gourd maracas. This simple and inexpensive activity is perfect for a wide range of ages and can be easily adapted to suit the abilities of your kids.

What Are Maracas?

Maracas are musical instruments that originated in Latin America. They are typically made from gourds, which are dried and filled with seeds or beans. When shaken, the seeds or beans rattle inside the gourd, creating a rhythmic sound.

How to Make a Gourd Maraca

Making a gourd maraca is a simple process that can be completed in a few steps:

Choose a gourd. Select a gourd that is small enough to fit in the palm of your hand and has no visible rot or open wounds.
Cut a hole in the bottom of the gourd. This is where the seeds or beans will be inserted. Make sure the hole is no bigger than your thumb.
Scoop out the seeds and pulp. Use a spoon or your fingers to scoop out about two-thirds of the seeds and pulp from the inside of the gourd.
Let dry overnight. Place the gourd in a dry area and let it dry overnight.
Fill with seeds or beans. You can fill your maraca with pebbles, dried beans, or even uncooked rice. If using dried beans, be sure to roast them in the oven at 350 degrees Fahrenheit for 20 minutes before using them.
Insert a handle. Insert a smooth, wooden dowel into the hole in the bottom of the gourd. Seal the hole with glue and then wrap tape around the handle and opening for added security.
Decorate (optional). You can decorate your maraca with non-toxic paint or markers. Once the paint is dry, apply a coat of shellac to help preserve it.

How to Make a Shekere Shaker

A shekere shaker is a variation of a gourd maraca that has beads, seeds, or shells attached to netting that is draped over the outside of the gourd. When shaken or slapped, the beads hit the outside of the gourd, creating a rhythmic sound.

To make a shekere shaker, follow the same steps as for making a gourd maraca, but once the gourd is cleaned out, it must be dried thoroughly. You can dry the gourd in the sun or in the oven at a low temperature.

Once the gourd is dry, tie a band of string around the neck. Cut 12 or more pieces of string (more for larger gourds) that are twice the height of the gourd and tie them to the band of string around the neck.

Dip the strings in melted wax to make it easier to thread the beads. Make a knot in the string, thread a bead, and then tie another knot. Repeat until you have four or five beads on each of the strings.

Finally, tie or tape the strings of beads to the base of the gourd to hold them in place.

Tips for Making Gourd Maracas and Shekere Shakers

Use a variety of different gourds to create maracas with different shapes and sizes.
Experiment with different types of seeds or beans to create different sounds.
Decorate your maracas with paint, markers, or other materials to make them unique.
Use your maracas and shekere shakers to create your own music or to accompany other instruments.
Make gourd maracas and shekere shakers with your friends or family for a fun and rewarding experience.

With a little creativity and effort, you and your kids can create beautiful and unique gourd maracas and shekere shakers that will provide hours of musical enjoyment.