Are you looking for some new ideas for kids activities? This week I’m talking about stuff to do in the garden and some hacks that will help you if you don’t have a garden.
Looking for Bugs
My favourite thing to do in the garden when I was a kid was looking for bugs. I’d find grasshoppers, ants, earwigs and centipedes. We have to be a little careful when looking for bugs in some places. There are certain spiders and other things that can give a nasty bite. Because of this, it’s best not to touch anything, just have a look. We don’t want anyone or the bugs to get hurt.
Where are the Best Places to Find Bugs?
If you’re an experienced bug spotter, then you know it’s best to head straight for the shadiest parts of the garden. That’s where the bugs like to hang out. There’s all sorts of amazing things you can find under rocks, logs or among the leaves on ground, even on bushes and plants. If you do move a rock or log to have a look, be very careful to put it back gently where it came from. If you haven’t got a garden, you can find bugs in the woods. Don’t worry you don’t have to miss out on these fun kids activities. In fact, you can find bugs everywhere, even in your front room.
Gardening
The obvious kids activity to do in the garden is gardening, it is called this for a very good reason. Planting flowers, plants or even herbs and vegetables are a wonderful thing to do. Nothing feels better than loving something into life.
What can I Grow if I Haven’t got a Garden?
You can grow chillies or tomatoes or even herbs on your balcony. You can even grow potted plants on a windowsill inside. Nurturing something and watching it grow bigger and stronger is one of the most rewarding things we can do. Growing food can be the most rewarding of all. It’s good for the wallet, good for the belly and great for the soul. Home grown foods taste the best too. If you don’t believe me you should try some of my father-in-law’s cherry tomatoes.
Attracting Bees
Something that has become very important and can be connected to the gardening is attracting bees. We all know too well, that bee numbers are declining and we can all do our bit to help our buzzy little friends.
What Plants are Best for Attracting Bees?
There are a wide variety of plants are great for attracting bees and a lot of them are edible too as a bonus. You can even get bee hotels! To find out more about which plants are best check out this great article about attracting bees from Eco Organic Garden.
Feeding the Birds
I love feeding the birds, it’s amazing how you can build a relationship with our feathered friends simply with a little patience, the right food and the right frame of mind. Yes, that’s right, your attitude has a lot to do with it too. If you want the birds to trust you, you have to welcome them like you would a human. Say hello when they arrive and watch them with a happy heart and they will respond to you.
It is important to choose the right kind of food to feed the birds that live near you. Bread is not very good for birds, they prefer seeds or nuts or fruit in most cases. So, if you want to feed the birds, learn which birds they are, what they like to eat and before long their personalities will show themselves to you.
I wrote a story about some birds that used to live near me. Check out the great natural drama, The Savage Wild.
Barry S. Brunswick is an author. You can buy his books on Amazon:
Dreamland Part 1 – The Fabric of Dreams
Dreamland Part 2 – The Masters of Light
The War of The Turnips
Barry Brunswick’s Tall Tales – A Short Story Collection
Inner Outer – A Poetry Collection
