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NOW CLOSED: Win a Nature Art book and get your grandkids in the garden

(83 Posts)
LaraGransnet (GNHQ) Thu 28-Apr-16 11:41:48

Luring little people away from screens and out into nature is becoming more challenging. So what are gransnetters tips on making the outdoors more interesting to youngsters?

One lucky gransnetter who comments on the thread will win a copy of Little Collector's Nature Art: Make Art from Nature.

T&Cs here.

Ends noon Fri 6th May.

r0v3r5 Mon 02-May-16 15:36:46

Nothing entertains my grandchildren more than rootling around in the garden with a jam jars, collecting 'bugs'. They find the most amazing wildlife, that I didn't even know were there!

SueRJ Mon 02-May-16 16:00:24

When we moved to this house last year there were lots of plants for bees. The trouble is my 3-year old GD wants to play with them. We have lots of problems trying to keep her away, but still try to encourage the love the garden at the same time. Perhaps this summer she will be better, and we can relax a bit!

Barb5 Mon 02-May-16 16:46:26

Collecting natural things when the children are out (leaves, little interesting stones, feathers, etc) and then making things with them once they get home. We make pictures, cards, decorate jars, etc, etc. It keeps them on a mission when they are out and gives them something to do at home later :-)

hjw2505 Mon 02-May-16 17:17:16

I've set aside an area of the garden for the grandchildren to cultivate and have started them off with some strawberries. However when digging with eldest GD she was scared by the appearance of a worm, any suggestions to get help her get over this fear?

wallers5 Tue 03-May-16 06:49:19

I went shopping with mine & got vegetable seeds, planters, compost, small watering can, little trowel & we got planting together. Their favourite thing is watering.! They love wild strawberries, the little ones, so we are looking for them in the woods.

Larnipoo42 Tue 03-May-16 11:54:14

My grandson would adore this. He calls our garden his secret garden smile

sylwright Tue 03-May-16 12:34:02

My grandson just loves pottering around the garden, we pick up fallen leaves and look for any signs of wildlife. He loves digging holes too and raking the grass.

PinkHonda Tue 03-May-16 19:51:48

We play name that tree / plant / bird - even if just walking through town

peanutmum Wed 04-May-16 14:24:13

I love making 'tray gardens' with the little ones.
You use an old baking tray, biscuit lid, whatever as the garden base ...... never deep as this does imply mess !!!
Then they make their gardens, a bit of blue paper for pond or river, pebbles/ small rocks, small quantity of soil or compost, flower heads, grass cuttings and so on. Often mine add their own spiders, beetles, bugs and even the odd dinosaur!!!!!!! wonderful for making up stories.

At the same time, you could plant some fast growing plants like 'cress' on a plate for the window cill, as they do not do long term plans at an early age.

It is not designed to be kept or grown from, but after this they can progress to
'henbane's ' ideas. As it is temporary it is ideal for Nana's house.

Jacks10 Wed 04-May-16 15:24:11

Children are totally fascinated by nature, wildlife and insects. It is our duty to nurture that fascination as it will teach them so many skills and provide them with useful information for the future! My grandchildren recently found an abandoned kitten of about 8 days - they have hand reared it waking up through the night to feed it. It is growing rapidly and thriving. Their compassion for this small creature has amazed me. Beats the heck out of the TV!

Jacks10 Wed 04-May-16 15:24:12

Children are totally fascinated by nature, wildlife and insects. It is our duty to nurture that fascination as it will teach them so many skills and provide them with useful information for the future! My grandchildren recently found an abandoned kitten of about 8 days - they have hand reared it waking up through the night to feed it. It is growing rapidly and thriving. Their compassion for this small creature has amazed me. Beats the heck out of the TV!

Jacks10 Wed 04-May-16 15:24:12

Children are totally fascinated by nature, wildlife and insects. It is our duty to nurture that fascination as it will teach them so many skills and provide them with useful information for the future! My grandchildren recently found an abandoned kitten of about 8 days - they have hand reared it waking up through the night to feed it. It is growing rapidly and thriving. Their compassion for this small creature has amazed me. Beats the heck out of the TV!

Jacks10 Wed 04-May-16 15:24:13

Children are totally fascinated by nature, wildlife and insects. It is our duty to nurture that fascination as it will teach them so many skills and provide them with useful information for the future! My grandchildren recently found an abandoned kitten of about 8 days - they have hand reared it waking up through the night to feed it. It is growing rapidly and thriving. Their compassion for this small creature has amazed me. Beats the heck out of the TV!

Jacks10 Wed 04-May-16 15:24:13

Children are totally fascinated by nature, wildlife and insects. It is our duty to nurture that fascination as it will teach them so many skills and provide them with useful information for the future! My grandchildren recently found an abandoned kitten of about 8 days - they have hand reared it waking up through the night to feed it. It is growing rapidly and thriving. Their compassion for this small creature has amazed me. Beats the heck out of the TV!

Jacks10 Wed 04-May-16 15:24:15

Children are totally fascinated by nature, wildlife and insects. It is our duty to nurture that fascination as it will teach them so many skills and provide them with useful information for the future! My grandchildren recently found an abandoned kitten of about 8 days - they have hand reared it waking up through the night to feed it. It is growing rapidly and thriving. Their compassion for this small creature has amazed me. Beats the heck out of the TV!

Jacks10 Wed 04-May-16 15:24:15

Children are totally fascinated by nature, wildlife and insects. It is our duty to nurture that fascination as it will teach them so many skills and provide them with useful information for the future! My grandchildren recently found an abandoned kitten of about 8 days - they have hand reared it waking up through the night to feed it. It is growing rapidly and thriving. Their compassion for this small creature has amazed me. Beats the heck out of the TV!

Jacks10 Wed 04-May-16 15:24:16

Children are totally fascinated by nature, wildlife and insects. It is our duty to nurture that fascination as it will teach them so many skills and provide them with useful information for the future! My grandchildren recently found an abandoned kitten of about 8 days - they have hand reared it waking up through the night to feed it. It is growing rapidly and thriving. Their compassion for this small creature has amazed me. Beats the heck out of the TV!

Jacks10 Wed 04-May-16 15:24:16

Children are totally fascinated by nature, wildlife and insects. It is our duty to nurture that fascination as it will teach them so many skills and provide them with useful information for the future! My grandchildren recently found an abandoned kitten of about 8 days - they have hand reared it waking up through the night to feed it. It is growing rapidly and thriving. Their compassion for this small creature has amazed me. Beats the heck out of the TV!

Jacks10 Wed 04-May-16 15:24:17

Children are totally fascinated by nature, wildlife and insects. It is our duty to nurture that fascination as it will teach them so many skills and provide them with useful information for the future! My grandchildren recently found an abandoned kitten of about 8 days - they have hand reared it waking up through the night to feed it. It is growing rapidly and thriving. Their compassion for this small creature has amazed me. Beats the heck out of the TV!

Jacks10 Wed 04-May-16 15:24:17

Children are totally fascinated by nature, wildlife and insects. It is our duty to nurture that fascination as it will teach them so many skills and provide them with useful information for the future! My grandchildren recently found an abandoned kitten of about 8 days - they have hand reared it waking up through the night to feed it. It is growing rapidly and thriving. Their compassion for this small creature has amazed me. Beats the heck out of the TV!

Jacks10 Wed 04-May-16 15:24:17

Children are totally fascinated by nature, wildlife and insects. It is our duty to nurture that fascination as it will teach them so many skills and provide them with useful information for the future! My grandchildren recently found an abandoned kitten of about 8 days - they have hand reared it waking up through the night to feed it. It is growing rapidly and thriving. Their compassion for this small creature has amazed me. Beats the heck out of the TV!

Jacks10 Wed 04-May-16 15:24:19

Children are totally fascinated by nature, wildlife and insects. It is our duty to nurture that fascination as it will teach them so many skills and provide them with useful information for the future! My grandchildren recently found an abandoned kitten of about 8 days - they have hand reared it waking up through the night to feed it. It is growing rapidly and thriving. Their compassion for this small creature has amazed me. Beats the heck out of the TV!

Jacks10 Wed 04-May-16 15:24:19

Children are totally fascinated by nature, wildlife and insects. It is our duty to nurture that fascination as it will teach them so many skills and provide them with useful information for the future! My grandchildren recently found an abandoned kitten of about 8 days - they have hand reared it waking up through the night to feed it. It is growing rapidly and thriving. Their compassion for this small creature has amazed me. Beats the heck out of the TV!

Jacks10 Wed 04-May-16 15:24:21

Children are totally fascinated by nature, wildlife and insects. It is our duty to nurture that fascination as it will teach them so many skills and provide them with useful information for the future! My grandchildren recently found an abandoned kitten of about 8 days - they have hand reared it waking up through the night to feed it. It is growing rapidly and thriving. Their compassion for this small creature has amazed me. Beats the heck out of the TV!

Jacks10 Wed 04-May-16 15:24:22

Children are totally fascinated by nature, wildlife and insects. It is our duty to nurture that fascination as it will teach them so many skills and provide them with useful information for the future! My grandchildren recently found an abandoned kitten of about 8 days - they have hand reared it waking up through the night to feed it. It is growing rapidly and thriving. Their compassion for this small creature has amazed me. Beats the heck out of the TV!