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.
Since September 2024, the number of free childcare hours available for eligible children aged 9 months to 2 years (inclusive) is 570 per year. This is usually taken as 15 hours per week over 38 term-time weeks of the year*. In further good news, the allocation is set to double to 1140 hours per year from September 2025, thereby aligning with what eligible 3 and 4-year-olds are already entitled to (see below).
Meanwhile, a total of 1140 hours of free childcare is currently available for eligible children aged 3 and 4 each year. This is usually taken as 30 hours per week over 38 term-time weeks of the year*.
Draw up a short list of possible settings for your child, having first whittled down the choices by 
If your child already has a friend or neighbour of a similar age who will also attend your chosen nursery, it can be very useful. Both children will then have a friendly face to play with from Day 1. If not, it should be easy enough to ask around to find out about other local children who will start at the nursery when your child does. Arranging play dates for them in the weeks running up to the start date will help each child familiarise themselves with one another, so they each have a friend or two at the nursery right from the start. It’s a great way of settling them in.
Aside from the initial guided tours undertaken, we schedule 2 formal settling-in visits for children once a place has been offered. These hour-long settling-in sessions usually occur in the week before children are due to start at the nursery formally. They are both free of charge. Here’s how they are approached:
Reassuring your child will also help them settle into nursery – so communication is key. This is true both before they start and once they attend, particularly at the beginning. Before starting, it’s important to ensure they know that changes will soon happen, what to expect when the time comes, and that it’s going to be a big adventure with lots of fun! Encourage questions and answer them sensitively. They also need to be reassured that you will always be there, behind the scenes, looking out for their best interests. And, of course, it’s crucial for them to know you’ll be there to pick them up at home time (don’t be late!).
As we said previously in our 
Encourage children by celebrating their successes at the nursery. Whether it’s the successful completion of their first day, the first tear-free day, the making of a new friend or any other accomplishment, ensure you congratulate your child. This will give them a sense of achievement, reassure them that they’re doing well, and encourage them to keep attending and building on their progress.
With children sometimes taking as many as 2, 3, or even 4 weeks to fully settle into a new nursery, it’s also important for staff to closely monitor and nurture them. That’s indeed exactly what we do at Little Acorns Nursery in Hindley Green. We ensure the setting is a home-from-home environment for children as much as possible. Children will feel valued, loved, listened to, and well cared for at Little Acorns. We’ll reassure them when they need it, communicate well with parents/carers, discuss any challenges and work to address them speedily and in the most effective ways. We have children’s best interests at heart, so parents can rest assured that their little ones are kept safe, happy and well and, even if not immediately, they’ll grow to love being at the nursery. A couple of recent testimonials prove the point beautifully (hover over them to pause):
We’ve got lovely reviews and 5-star ratings online and, at the time of writing, have scored top marks across the board. The following is a typical review illustrating the type of lovely comments that parents have been publishing online about Little Acorns Nursery, Hindley Green:
Little Acorns staff are fastidious about the welfare and safety of babies and children under their care. As even the Ofsted inspector reported in our last inspection, “Leaders have ensured that staff are well trained and knowledgeable about matters relating to child protection. They have provided clear procedures for staff to report any concerns that they may have about children’s welfare.” Your child is in safe hands at Little Acorns Nursery.
During the first half of 2024, the nursery underwent a significant refurbishment and the results really speak for themselves. It’s a real facelift that includes beautiful new flooring, refreshed paintwork, re-plastered walls, renewed skirting, lovely bright downlighters, new storage areas, new bathrooms, new hallway carpet, and a modern, spacious feel. There are some lovely new interior design touches too, which spark new life into the nursery and preschool areas. New furniture, resources and enhancements are also included to make this a more exciting, stimulating, and engaging place for children to spend time. These include details like new bifold doors to allow free-flow access from indoors to the outdoor areas when appropriate. You can 
Few childcare nurseries and preschools can claim to have as large an outdoor space as Little Acorns Nursery in Hindley Green. Our extensive outdoor space is a wonderful area for children to explore, discover, play, and learn. Including both undercover areas and open areas, there are nature zones, sensory areas, a variety of exciting play areas, counting areas, and a stimulating array of equipment. This includes construction toys and equipment, creative activities, sand play, water play, bicycles and scooters, play houses and, of course, more standard climbing frames, slides, and suchlike. Children can benefit here from both structured and free play in a safe but exciting outdoor environment.
Little Acorns Nursery employs high-calibre childcare staff who are caring, experienced and skilled. Naturals with the children, they are also qualified as a minimum when they start in paediatric first aid, safeguarding, and basic food hygiene although many have qualifications that far exceed that baseline. Staff also have the support of a CPD programme, for continuous professional development, which includes access to training courses and tools that will further their skill set. That’s a win-win-win as the staff, the nursery and the children will all benefit. The Ofsted inspector also commented on the quality of staff at the most recent inspection:
Little Acorns is also one of only a few Hygge-inspired childcare nurseries and this facet helps make the setting even more of a home-from-home for little ones. Hygge (pronounced “Hue-gah”) is a Danish and Norwegian word that describes the kind of lifestyle that has cosiness, contentment, and well-being at its centre. A Hygge-style environment will therefore be one that appreciates natural materials like wood and warm, homely, child-friendly, decor like rugs and cushions. Hygge also encourages a real appreciation of nature amongst both staff and children. Put simply, Hygge makes Little Acorns Nursery a better place to be. 
