With World Bee Day arriving on the 20th of May and National Children’s Gardening Week arriving on the 24th, it’s an excellent time for a flower-growing activity for children — including under-fives. More specifically, the growing of bee-friendly flowers — from seeds — will be an excellent way to celebrate World Bee Day and support these adorable little creatures. Bees, butterflies, and other pollinators are incredibly important for the world, being largely responsible for pollinating the crops, including nuts, seeds, fruits and vegetables, that we rely on for food. Yet they are under threat with numbers dwindling severely in recent years. Without bees and other pollinators, the world’s animals, plants, trees, and flowers would be in real danger. Today’s bee-friendly flower-growing activity is therefore an incredibly worthwhile one for children to get involved in. It’s fun, highly educational for little ones, and will help to make the world a better place! Little ones, let’s get growing!
Bee-Friendly Flower Growing for Children
Today’s activity for children starts with seeds. Children, especially under-fives, will love sowing them, watering the seedlings, planting them out, and watching them grow. Even better will be the moment the first bee, butterfly or hoverfly arrives to sample the sweet nectar from the flowers! Here’s what to do:
Source the Bee-Friendly Seeds
Unless seeds are available from friends and family or harvests from previous years, parents of under-fives will need to source them. However, that’s easy and can be incredibly inexpensive. Most supermarkets sell seed packets and, if not, there is a whole range of online stores to choose from (here’s one great example with bee-friendly wildflower seeds available from as little as £1.49). Wherever they’re sourced from, the key to this activity’s success is to choose bee-friendly seeds. That’s easily done by ensuring packets are marked as bee-friendly or pollinator-friendly. Even better — choose those which are also marked as native to the UK as they’re likely to suit conditions well and be an ecologically sound choice.
Examples of bee-friendly seeds/flowers:
Families can choose bee-friendly wildflower seeds if they would like a variety of flowers to grow — and different pollinators to visit. If choosing individual flower varieties, bee-friendly options to consider include sunflowers, poppies, daisies, cornflowers, forget-me-nots, verbena, sedum, nasturtium, cosmos or calendula. Bee-friendly herbs are also an option with the added bonus that their leaves can be eaten. Examples include flowering mint, dill, basil and thyme.
Seed kits are another option for children, with many online stores offering inexpensive options that include not only the seeds (whether loose or in seed ball format) but also things like a magnifying glass, stickers, and so on. Here’s an example.
When to Sow the Seeds
The months of March through to May are a great time to sow bee-friendly flower seeds. Depending on the variety chosen, flowers can appear within just a few weeks (perfect for World Bee Day at the time of writing) up to a few months. So, read seed packets/information carefully before buying and perhaps favour the faster-growing seeds to keep young children engaged in this activity.
How to Sow the Seeds
Seed packets will usually have some basic sowing instructions. That said, there are generally 2 main ways to sow flower seeds:
- Simply scatter seeds outdoors in a suitable place (weed-free, prepared flower beds, for example). However, it will not be very controlled and, in any case, what fun is that?
- Sow seeds more methodically, with much more care, in seed trays of some kind. We suggest this option for children as it’s more fun, far more educational, and likely to have substantially better results. Children will learn more skills and knowledge with this approach.
If children are going with our recommended second option, they will first need to read packets to ensure their timing is right. For seed trays, they can use inexpensive, commercially available seed trays or use smaller options like flower pots. Another free alternative is to use repurposed margarine tubs, yoghurt pots, or similar. Whichever option they choose will need drainage holes added underneath by supervising parents plus a drip tray of some kind. Whether that’s a commercial one or something as simple as a saucer is up to families.
For the soil, commercially-obtained compost that’s suited to growing seeds and seedlings is ideal (especially if it’s peat-free as that’s more ecologically sound). For a free alternative, carefully transport some prepared soil/home-grown compost from outdoors and use that. It needs to be broken up and weed-free and this part of the activity will need to be heavily supervised* by an adult.
Once the soil is layered into the seed trays or pots, to a level an inch or so below the top, children can indent the soil/compost for the seeds to go into. Seeds can be manually spaced out into these indents so that, once they grow, the individual plants will be easily separated. We suggest scattering a shallow layer of sieved soil or compost over the seeds once placed into the indents and given a sprinkling of water.
Wash little hands with soapy water afterwards, of course*.
Water Regularly
Children may need to be reminded to check their seed trays every day and to keep the soil moist (but not soaked) through gentle watering.
Keep Watch for Sprouting Seedlings
One of the most exciting points in the whole activity will be the first time children notice little seedlings beginning to sprout from the soil. It may take somewhere from 10 days to a fortnight for this to occur but it’s quite a moment once it happens — and it’s (almost) all down to the child!
Thin Seedlings Out
Children should continue to water the seedlings regularly, when needed, and may also have to thin out any ‘clumps’ or plants that are too close together, otherwise, several plants may get tangled and have to compete with one another unnecessarily.
There will come a point (hopefully!) when the seedlings have grown big enough to be strong and ready to transplant outdoors. Whether choosing flower beds in gardens, window boxes, or outdoor flower pots, choose somewhere that’s again free of weeds (remove if necessary) and ensure plants have individual space to grow larger. The original seed packets will usually advise whether the plants will suit sunny, shaded, or semi-sunny locations. However, pollinators like butterflies like sunnier locations, so factor that in too.
Flowers Will Bloom
Children should continue watering the plants when required (soil should not be allowed to dry out) and, day by day, the plants will grow larger until buds, then flowers, finally appear.
Bees & Pollinators Will Arrive!
Once flowers appear, children can expect pollinators like honey bees, bumblebees, butterflies, and hoverflies to appear. It’s going to be magical for children when that day first arrives! Bees and the other pollinators truly are delightful and adorable. Children should look but not touch*, after all, bees have important work to do!
“Children should look but not touch, after all, bees have important work to do!”
See if they can spot the little yellow/orange pollen baskets on the bees’ legs. Explain what those are for. Children can also get more advanced and see if they can learn the names of the different bee species.
Did you know? Worldwide, there are over 20,000 species of bee!
Natural Benefits
This activity will raise awareness of bees and pollinators in children of all ages. It’s not only a wonderful way to introduce children to these adorable creatures, but also a great opportunity to raise awareness of the plight bees and pollinators are facing. They are under severe pressure from habitat loss, global warming, the use of harmful pesticides/weedkillers, pollution, invasive predators, and many other threats that have made their populations plummet in recent years.
“Close to 35 percent of invertebrate pollinators, particularly bees and butterflies … face extinction globally.” — United Nations
By involving children in activities — like today’s — for World Bee Day, they will be better informed and able to help bees and pollinators far into the future. It will help them to be more responsible citizens, caring and compassionate individuals, and lead to them towards living greener lifestyles as they grow older. The world’s future is in their hands, so that’s incredibly important.
“A world without pollinators would equal a world without food diversity – no blueberries, coffee, chocolate, cucumbers and so much more.” — United Nations
What’s more, today’s flower-growing activity will teach children new skills and new facts, and they will benefit from everything that nature has to offer (and that’s a lot!). Learn more about the incredible benefits of nature to children here.
Nature & Outdoor Play at Little Acorns Nursery
Our extensive outdoor spaces, nature zones and wild areas at Little Acorns Nursery in Hindley Green are a huge hit with children. There, they have a wonderful time exploring, discovering, learning through play, and benefitting from spending time close to nature. It’s a fabulous aspect of this nursery and preschool near Wigan, Lancashire. And, of course, we have fabulous resources, equipment and a home-from-home environment inside, where every child under five gets the very best start in life.
Get in touch today to explore the idea of sending your baby, toddler, or preschooler to Little Acorns Nursery in Hindley Green:
Little Acorns Nursery is also conveniently located for those living in Atherton, Leigh, Ince-in-Makerfield, Platt Bridge, Westhoughton, Bickershaw, Tyldesley, and Bolton.
*Health & Safety Note
Ensure children, especially the youngest, are supervised at all times by a responsible adult. Some bees and pollinators have stings, so it’s important for adults to ensure that children look but do not attempt to touch them. Additionally, some seeds and plants are poisonous, while some soil also contains hidden dangers. Adults should therefore ensure that children keep fingers well away from mouths and wash hands and fingers thoroughly with soap and water after contact with any such things. Plant food is also potentially very dangerous and should therefore only be used by adults and kept well away from little ones.
World Book Day is a special charitable event, celebrated globally, that encourages children of all ages to discover the joy of reading. Why? Because reading has the power to substantially improve children’s lives. Schools, nurseries, and libraries across the nation make the day extra special for children through storytelling sessions, fancy dress, and book-related activities.
Find time for your little one to read.
Dress up as a favourite character! There’s no need for elaborate costumes; a simple hat, crown, or themed outfit inspired by a beloved book character can bring your child’s favourite stories to life.
Families, set your diaries for the wildlife event of the year, which happens this January from Friday the 24th to Sunday the 26th inclusive. It’s free, takes just one hour, and allows children and adults to be part of the world’s biggest garden wildlife survey. During the event, families and individuals across the nation simply count the birds they spot in the garden, park, local green space, or even balcony over the course of 60 minutes. The results of hundreds of thousands of these surveys are compiled by the Royal Society for the Protection of Birds (RSPB) to build a picture of the health of the nation’s bird populations. It’s important scientific and ecological work and children can become citizen scientists if they simply take part. Learn more about the Big Garden Birdwatch and how to take part in today’s guide for families with children.
Children will love being involved in this important nature-based activity. They’ll not only play their part in helping birds and nature, but they’ll also have fun and learn something along the way. They will discover some of the many wonderful feathered visitors who live in their neighbourhood and learn about some of the important issues affecting the natural world. They’ll begin to grasp the impact of humans on Britain’s flora and fauna and learn the importance of conservation and looking after the natural world around them. Through this endeavour, they’ll learn how they can make a positive difference. They will also become little citizen scientists! It’s fun, educational, and will give them a wonderful sense of achievement too. It may even change their outlook over the long term and help them think about their own impact on the planet, which is a wonderful outcome. And last but not least, 
Once the chosen time and date arrive, all you/your children need to do is monitor birds landing on your chosen patch. Count those that actually land rather than any flying otherwise there’s a danger that one bird could be counted multiple times. What you need to record for the survey, though, is the largest number of each bird species that have landed at any one time during the hour. So, for example, if you spot two blackbirds that have landed at the same time in the first half hour, but later in the hour you can see 4 that have landed at the same time, then you need to record “4” for blackbirds.
One of the most widely accepted truths among professionals involved in ‘early years’ education is that play is incredibly important to children. That’s not just because it comes naturally to them and is fun; play is the key tool through which children learn about themselves, each other, and the world around them. Indeed, the act of playing benefits children in a wide array of profoundly beneficial ways, including socially, mentally, physically, and emotionally. With that in mind, today’s post highlights some of the many benefits of play to children, particularly in their early years. So, if you have a child under five, take a look and you’ll soon see why encouraging your little one to play in a variety of ways will bring out the very best in them and help set them up for life.
One of the most obvious things about children’s play is that often it gets them exerting themselves physically, as they run, climb, jump, make, create, and construct. Such activities help them to master gross and fine motor skills, balance, movement, and coordination. All such skills are enhanced significantly through play and are a fundamental building block of children’s development.
Right from an early age, the act of playing helps in the development of young minds and even contributes to the rapid growth of new connections in the brain. This is true even for babies, whose key tool to learn about the world is through play, as they explore with their senses as well as by reaching out to grasp toys and objects around them.
Whether playing with peers or with parents, the need to gradually master communication and language is imperative. Play helps that to happen in the most natural of ways. All the time they’re playing, children are naturally communicating, picking up new vocabulary, learning new phrases, getting to grips with grammar, and so on. Play is indeed a wonderful facilitator of communication and language.
Playing is an integral part of every happy childhood. It’s fun and, put simply, makes children happy. That’s wonderful for children’s emotional and spiritual well-being and the importance of that cannot be overstated.
As we have seen in this article, play benefits children in a completely holistic way. Play enhances their lives through a multitude of benefits that include improved skills and abilities, a deeper understanding of the world and society, solid friendships and the myriad of opportunities that all of that will bring. Play also fosters a deeper love of learning, because play makes learning enjoyable. Indeed, through play, children explore, discover, and learn instinctively — with zero ‘friction’. As such, play should be at the very core of every child’s learning and development journey.
Once winter arrives in December and cold winds start to breathe the landscape to sleep for a season, little ones will be less inclined to venture outdoors. Parents, too, will no doubt appreciate them avoiding the rain, cold, and inclement conditions that may occur. As such, winter is the perfect time to transform dreary days and dark evenings into a haven of warmth and cosiness indoors. An enchanting children’s activity that goes hand-in-hand with this is that of storytelling. With that in mind, today’s post guides you through the delightful process of creating a Winter Storytelling Corner tailored for the youngest members of the family. A storytelling corner is a wonderful way to make these winter nights cosy, magical, and filled with high-quality shared moments. Shared 
Start by selecting a cosy corner or nook in your home – for example, a secluded and quiet space somewhere that’s away from busy activity, cold draughts and suchlike. It will need to have somewhere comfortable for you and your child(ren) to sit or ‘nest’ once you get to the storytelling part. Once you’ve found somewhere suitable, it could be adorned with soft blankets, plush cushions, and perhaps even a few twinkling fairy lights. The goal is to create an inviting spot that beckons little ones and you, their parent or caregiver, to snuggle up and feel the warmth together as the winter tales unfold.
Curate a collection of timeless winter stories that capture the spirit of the season. Consider classics like “The Snowman” by Raymond Briggs or “The Mitten” by Jan Brett. These stories, with their simple yet captivating narratives, are perfect for engaging young minds and sparking their imagination. These are just a couple of examples, though, and there are lots of winter-themed books to choose from, whether online, in book stores, in charity shops, or swapped amongst family or friends.
Perhaps incorporate simple props that relate to the story. If the tale involves animals, have soft toy animals on hand for little ones to interact with as the story unfolds. Other alternatives are hand puppets and finger puppets. Try using them to act out characters from the stories as you read them, or get your child to do so. Adding an interactive and visual element in this way will encourage children to participate actively and immerse themselves in the storytelling process. This approach can be creative, captivating, and sometimes even comical. As such, this is very entertaining for children and will help to make the whole activity enjoyable and fulfilling.
