It’s the perfect time to get out in the garden and get some motivation. Here is a roundup of all the fun and relaxing activities you can do in your garden.
1. Bring some sunshine into your life
We need happy faces around us, and sunflowers definitely have those. Order some seed online, sow it in pots on a warm windowsill and plant the seedlings out once the danger of frost is past.
2. Spring clean
A pressure washer will blast away winter grime but be warned: it can be a bit addictive. Once you have that lance in your hand, you’ll be tempted to wash everything in sight.
3. Open a bird café
Send off for some feeders and bird food and get started – birdfood.co.uk offer everything from sunflower hearts to suet cakes.
4. Mow-tivate yourself (Sorry!)
If the weather is reasonable, dust down the mower and get out there. Set the blades to about 2.5cm to avoid any scalping and then trim the edges with long-handled shears. Remember to leave a bit of your lawn un-mown to welcome wildlife.
5. Shed some light
String up some garden lights to bring a sparkle to a tree, porch, archway or shapely shrub. Put them where you can see and enjoy them from the house.
6. Get raking
If you fancy a vigorous task that will give you a workout and get your heart pumping, rake the lawn. Use a spring-tined rake and energetically pull out the moss and dead grass cuttings by raking in all directions.
7. Make a mini meadow
Do your bit for wild plants that are under threat by sowing some native plants into a window box, on a balcony or in a corner of your garden – seedball.co.uk selections include bee, butterfly, urban meadow and shade mixes.
8. Make a loo roll bird feeder
This is the type of messy task kids love getting stuck into. And it will help them learn about the birds in your neighbourhood. You can make this simple feeder with items you probably already have at home:
1. Smother a cardboard tube in peanut butter (no added salt and sugar versions are suitable for birds).
2. Roll it in bird seed and thread some string through the hole.
3. Tie it up in your garden where birds will feel safe eating.
9. Make natural art
Art and crafts will be a popular way to keep kids busy. To mix things up, put the pencils and crayons to one side and look for natural art materials instead. Collect fallen leaves, petals and sticks and use them to make a picture or sculpture.
You could even use the objects as ‘stampers’ or paintbrushes - dipping them in paint and rolling, brushing or stamping them on paper to create interesting patterns and effects.
10. Go on a scavenger hunt
This is a fun idea for kids of all ages. You can keep it simple for little ones - help them look out for different colours or textures in nature. For older children, challenge them to hunt for seasonal signs such as spring blossom or new leaves. Or ask them to see how many tiny natural objects they can find to fit inside a matchbox.
11. Have a picnic in the garden
Kids will soon tire of sitting around the same table for every meal, so pack up your lunch and take it outdoors. It’s a lovely way to keep mealtimes varied, and for everyone to get some fresh air.
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For more at home entertainment, why not check out live animals webcams? or Fancy some fitness dancing?
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