National Children's Gardening Week is from 23rd to 31st May 2026

Together We Help Children Grow with National Children’s Gardening week from 23rd to 31st May 2026

‘The aim of National Children's Gardening Week is to inspire children’s curiosity, whilst the warm weather is a great time to see speedy results of seed sowing, planting and other activities.’

With half term nearly upon us now is a great time to nurture not only your plants but your children, grandchildren or other children you know. Get them growing with some easy vegetable or flower seeds. Try veg such as lettuce, dwarf french beans or runner beans, pea seeds or flowers such as Sunflowers and start a competition between family members. There are a range of children friendly seed packs by Unwins and Fothergills at JustSeed.com just search Seeds for Children.

Why not pay a visit to your local nursery and do the treasure hunt on the Gardening Week website. I have forwarded to my daughter - my younger grandchildren turn 7 and 4 this year. There are ideas both creative and for sustainability, colouring sheets and ideas for attracting insects.  There is also a video introduction to a  treasure hunt of things to find in your local garden centre.

There are several suggestions as to what to look for but age and interest of our children varies enormously so why not make your own - a sensory one to find different textures and smells. Taste may have to wait until you’ve grown something, but the cafe, if there is one, may fill the hungry gap! 

Here are a few more suggestions as to what to do on a treasure hunt are:

What conditions are best for these plants? - indoor or outdoor? Shady or sunny?

Attractive or favourite colours and leaves?

Prickly or smooth?

Poisonous or edible? This could be a great way to introduce the fact that not all fruits and plants are edible.

What products are made of poo? This could be something that entertains some of the junior gardening enthusiasts.

Scents - love them, hate them - which are the best or worst? Some people don’t like geraniums, some herbs, or what about blackcurrant bush leaves?

The weather forecast looks good for getting outside next week - a welcome relief from the last few weeks temperatures here which have been similar to those of central Sweden.