We know it can be hard to keep our little gardeners busy through the holidays but here are some tips and ideas for them to do this Easter break and beyond.

Learning About Their Garden and Helping to Choose Plants that will Thrive in Them

Working out the Sunnier and Shadier Parts of the Garden Spend a sunny day checking the path of the sun in the garden - but be careful not to look at it directly. This will help them to work out which are the sunnier and shadier areas of the garden, during which part of the day, and for how long. Take pics of the plants that like these different areas and compare them. Do the plants that grow in lots of sun look different from those in the shade?

Think about your soil: Get them to put a little bit of soil in their hands and add a teaspoon of water to it to make a paste. If it’s sticky it has to contain mostly clay and will keep hold of the water. If it’s gritty and falls apart it has more sand in it and water will drain through it easily. If it’s in between it’s called loamy with equal portions of sand, silt and clay. You can also test it by pouring water onto the soil and seeing how quickly it drains away. For soil with too much clay, sand or chalk, you need to think about adding some compost when you plant to add good organic matter, improve drainage and help it retain water if needed.

Read the plant label or seed packet together carefully before planting or sowing. Our plant labels will tell you when the plant will flower, how much sun it needs and the type of soil it needs. Get them to check the information on the label and compare it with their sun and soil survey. This will help you choose together the right plant for the right space in your garden. Also look at the height and distance you’ll need to give a plant so that it grows. With seed sowing help them manage the flow and spacing of the seeds by pinching together the sides of the packet to form a spout, rather than putting the seeds in their hands before sprinkling them on the ground.

Get them to keep a simple diary of what they have planted and when, and for fruit and vegetables, update it with the date they eat the first one.

Spend an afternoon looking at and counting the different types of insects and birds in your garden. Youi can compare how this changes over the months.

Build a beetle house by going to www.bbc.co.uk/cbbc/thingstodo/bp-mg-leonard-beetles

Why don’t you have a competition with a relative or friend for who can grow the best/tallest plant - sunflowers are perfect as they germinate quickly and are easy to measure.

Lastly encourage them to make sure their tools are clean before putting them away, as it helps to stop them rusting or breaking. Then wash their hands when they have finished, or stop for food.