As the summer approaches, wild plants are bursting through the pavement cracks and brightening roadside verges. And it’s one of my favourite sights! This display of strength and beauty against adversity is a hope-filled reminder that with just a little consistent effort, we can make great and beautiful things happen; that even when we’re feeling short of time, energy or motivation, just a few small actions can have a big impact on a children’s nature-centred learning.
So, if you’re feeling like you’ve hit a wall for energy, inspiration and drive for nature-centred learning, here are are a few simple but highly effective activities that will have a great impact on your children’s nature-connection over the coming weeks.
- Make a bird station – that you can see!
You know those empty bird feeders hung up in random parts of the garden? Collect them together, refill them with a variety of different birds foods (plus sprinkle some on the floor for the ground-feeding birds) and hang them in a spot where you and the children will be able to observe the birds visiting them every day. This might be in view of a main window or a seating spot in the garden. Then, whenever anyone needs a spot of nature therapy, they can sit and watch the birds enjoying their feast. - Plant strawberries in a ‘trough’
This simple growing activity is a triple threat: your children will have created a pretty planted-up trough to add life and colour to your outdoor space, the flowers will encourage pollinating insects to visit, and in a few weeks your children will be enjoying their pick-your-own strawberry snack fresh from the garden. And, because strawberry plants send out runners each year which themselves produce new plants, you will have a lifetime’s supply of strawberries! - Throw wildflower seeds – everywhere!
You don’t even need to buy them, if you have some old half-used packets of flower seeds handing around. Don’t worry about planning too much or even finding a dedicated space to sow the seeds, just mix them all together and sprinkle wherever you see a patch of dirt, including the edges of plant pots, beneath fruit trees, in the cracks in your paving. And watch the wildflower magic happen!
So don’t let low energy, time or motivation hold you back from enjoying those magical nature-connected moments with the children in your world. Just keep it simple, quick and cheap, and let your nature wins nourish and reenergise you, your children and your outdoor space!
For fresh, fun wild projects and activities each month to get your children immersed in nature the easy way, check out what’s available for you in The Nest membership community.