Save your sanity this school holidays with garden craft activities
When the weather changes we all like to try and get the children out in the fresh air. However, it can be difficult to find things to keep them amused outside. I have compiled a list of some of the best garden craft activities for children to do. Doing these activities not only gets them out but also can provide decoration for your garden once completed.
Seed Bombs
Children are fascinated with growing their own vegetables or flowers to encourage this there are a few DIY seed bomb tutorials available that will walk you through how to make them. These seed bombs can be made in a variety of shapes and the children will enjoy making them and then watching the resulting plants grow.
This tutorial over on https://simplelivingmama.com/how-to-make-garden-seed-bombs/ explains how to make your own seed bombs with the children
Shaped bird feeders
Similar to the seed bombs children love to observe wildlife, even more so if they live in their own back garden. To encourage birds into your garden these shaped bird feeders offer a fun activity for the children. These bird feeders can be made in a variety of shapes using whichever cookie cutters you may already have in the house.
Wine and Glue over at https://www.simplejoy.com/diy_bird_feeder/ walks you through how to make your own bird feeders
Butterfly feeders
More natural visitors to the garden are butterflies. Children can help to make butterfly feeders for your garden that can help the wildlife.
This simple instructional post from Charlene at https://myfrugaladventures.com/2017/03/how-to-make-a-butterfly-feeder/ can help you to create your own butterfly feeder
Water bottle wind spinners
Junk modelling or upcycling is a good way to reduce waste in your house as well as keeping the little ones busy. A simple plastic bottle can be decorated by little ones as a garden craft to make a wind spinner for your garden.
There are a range of designs available online however this one from https://www.creativegreenliving.com/2015/05/make-recyled-water-bottle-garden-art.html offers a striking garden decoration which can decorate your garden for the rest of the season.
Fairy House
Children love a magical story and have a fascination with magical creatures. These simple painted plant pots can let the children create a house for magical creatures to visit in their garden. Each child can be given their own plant pot to get creative with. Their imaginations can run wild to design a house that they think their magical creature would like.
Angela on https://www.projectswithkids.com/easy-painted-fairy-houses-garden/ has a very basic how to for the children to follow. If this idea is liked by your children you can also have a look into creating a whole fairy garden that their newly decorated house could be placed in.
Painted rocks
There are a range of uses in the garden for painted rocks make them a perfect garden craft. Simply find a reasonable sized stone or rock and paint it. Varying ages and abilities are capable of decorating them making it a very inclusive activity. I personally love the simple but striking ladybird rocks over at https://craftsbyamanda.com/ladybug-painted-rocks/
Although I am also quite tempted to set the children to work making painted rock plant markers like these over at https://craftsbyamanda.com/painted-rock-garden-markers/
Beaded wind chime
A simple breeze in the garden can add a musical element to your outside area, this makes a wind chime made by the children a perfect addition to your garden. This simple threaded bead wind chime will help improve fine motor skills in younger children as well as keeping them busy.
Stephanie at https://gardentherapy.ca/beaded-wind-chime/ walks you through how to make this stylish wind chime that can be customised in colours to match your garden décor.
Stick star hanging decoration
Using just basic sticks and string this decorative hanging decoration can be made by the children and then added to either your garden or home. Very simple in construction but quite striking once completed. Each child can be given a star to create and then the stars can be collected together to make a single decoration.
Have a look at the instructions over at https://happyhooligans.ca/stick-star-garden-mobile-kids/
At times the summer holidays seem to drag on forever hopefully this collection will give you some inspiration as to how to keep the little ones amused. Garden craft activities are a great way to get them outside in the sunshine with a task to complete.
If you have enjoyed this round-up have a look at our Easter craft ideas post www.claireyatfairycrafters.com/10-best-kids-easter-crafts
