CHILDREN GARDENING, GROWING FLOWERS, VEGETABLES AND CREATIVE ACTIVITIES
We love growing our own flowers and vegetables in the garden, the children like to pick their items to grow and each has a little area.
I find growing with children is a great way to get them outside, enjoying some fresh air and exercise. Learning about plants, nature, looking after something other than themselves and how it feels when a slug strikes!
Previously we have grown giant Zinnia's, Sunflowers (every year) in a number of colours, heights, and head sizes. Cucumbers did very well last year along with cherry trailing tomatoes and Slovacina peppers which were given to us as a gift.
This year our two boys Jacob (eight) and Oakley (six) have chosen to grow, pumpkins, carrots, cucumbers, sweetcorn, sunflowers, calendula, and zinnias. As their planter broke last year I am thinking of trying them with crates this year. I will update you with some photographs once we are underway.
Some great cut flower seeds we have tried and are great to try with children I think ar, Calendula officials ‘Indian Prince’, Cosmos bipinnatus ‘Dazzler’, Sunflower Vanilla Ice and Centaurea Cyanus ‘Polka Dot’ mixed’. These are easy to grow and make great cut flowers.
Plant them inside to get them growing early in Spring or sow them directly outside in the sunshine when the frost has passed. Direction for the best growing tips can be found on the back of the seed packets, so great to read with children.
Benefits of planting flowers and vegetables with children include
- Reducing pollution
- Eating homegrown food from the garden
- Reducing carbon footprints
- Helping Bees and insects
- Well being for gardeners (mindfulness)
- Healthy exercise benefits
- Social activity for the family to enjoy together
- Cut flowers can fill a home or be gifted to friends and family
- Children learn to nurture and watch for nature in the garden
- Having fun together
Here are some children’s activities I have tried and enjoyed with my children, great for school holidays and having fun together.
1. Paint or draw pictures of the seeds and the plants as they grow.
2. Keep a plant diary over a period of time.
4. Photograph the children and yourselves while you are gardening together. Create your own ‘Flower Story’. A collage of pictures while you grow the flowers as a reminder and keepsake. This could be gifted with some flowers as an extra special gift.
5. Learn to wrap flowers like a florist with this handy our handy six-step guide. Ideal for Mother Day Gifts or special end of term teacher presents. For more ideas on flower wrapping ideas follow me on Pinterest or Instagram.
6. Make up a story or poem about your garden.
7. Collet the flower seeds and use them with glue to make patterns.
8. Press flowers and keep in sketchbooks with labels.
9. Flower petals can be used for art, style the scene and take a photograph to print out. See below or look at Bridget Beth Collins as her flower art is stunning as she tells stories with flowers. 
Having fun in the garden and creating thoughtful gifts with flowers can be lots of fun. A gift where someone has taken time can mean so much to someone special. When life can seem so fast-paced, gardening can really help time slow down and create last memories by bringing family together.
"You're only here for a short visit. Don't hurry. Don't worry. And be sure to smell the flowers along the way." - Walter Hagen
To begin your own flower journey with children be sure to look at the new Children’s Flower Wrap Set with flower seeds or the rainbow flower wrap and sticker kits.
