National Children's Gardening Week is the perfect time to get outside, have fun, and learn something new. Gardening is great for kids, and even better when it helps save water! Here are some simple and fun ways to garden with your children while helping your local environment too.
1. Make a rain collector
Use an old bin or bucket to collect rain from your roof. You can use this rainwater to water your garden. It’s free and saves tap water! Place it under a gutter to catch rainwater, which you can use to water your plants. This not only saves water but also teaches kids about recycling and sustainability. If you don’t have an old bin, you could also turn an old milk bottle into a small water butt and decorate it with the kids!
2. Water at the right time
Teach children to water plants when the sun is low, early in the morning or late in the evening. This stops the water from drying up too fast, making sure that more water reaches the plant roots.
3. Create recycled planters
Use old items like shoes, paint pots, or tin cans and turn them into plant pots. This activity encourages creativity and reduces waste. It also helps to teach kids all about recycling old items.
4. Mulch to keep water in
Kids love to get their hands dirty, and adding mulch around plants helps retain soil moisture and reduces the need for frequent watering. Kids can help spread mulch and learn about its benefits.
5. Start a mini garden
Build a small garden using a container like a plant pot, hanging basket, tinfoil tray or a bucket. Plant drought-tolerant plants like lavender to be the main feature of your garden. You can then decorate the garden with other recycled materials. Don’t forget to water your garden with your collected rainwater!
6. Craft a decorative watering can
Recycle your plastic milk bottles by making a DIY watering can. Simply wash out the milk bottle and poke some holes in the lid, you can then fill it with water and spray over your plants for some hydration. The kids can even decorate the milk bottles with all different stickers and colours too!
7. Use leftover water
Encourage kids to use leftover water from rinsing vegetables, boiling pasta (once cooled), or from their water bottle to water plants. This practice teaches them to value every drop of water.
By involving your children in these activities during National Children's Gardening Week, you're teaching them valuable lessons about sustainability and the importance of saving water. These hands-on experiences are not only educational but also fun and rewarding for the whole family.
We’d love to see your water-saving gardening fun
Share your photos on social media using #ChildrensGardeningWeek and tag @AffinityWater to be featured! We have lots more water-saving tips and advice available, and you can even take our My Water Footprint Challenge to take on water-saving challenges and win fun prizes.