Do you feed the birds at this time of year? We try to do it all year round, but in winter it's particularly important to give wild birds a helping hand, because natural food sources are scarce. One of the kids' favourite craft activities is making our homemade feeders; I've lost count of the number of times we've made them, and whenever we put them out in the garden they vanish within a couple of days! This week we've been ...
Fun winter nature crafts for children
We don’t really see winter as ideal for spending time outdoors with our children, do we? The days are shorter, the weather is often less than inviting, and it’s hard to motivate ourselves to leave the comfort of a cosy house. But in my experience, children just don’t think this way. As far as my kids are concerned, when it comes to getting outdoors the season is pretty much irrelevant; as long as they’re dressed to suit the ...
Tips for feeding garden birds in winter
Are you providing food for the wild birds who visit your garden this winter? We usually spend less time in our gardens during winter, but wild birds are often still visiting just as much as in the warmer months. Garden birds will be searching for food, and also water when temperatures drop low enough to freeze their usual supplies. Providing a winter food source for wild birds is a great way to support your local wildlife, and you'll also ...
How to grow radish
Radish can really perk up a salad, and it's speed of growth makes it great to grow with children too. This guest post has lots of tips to help you get a bumper harvest. Radish is very easy to grow, and doesn't need any complicated care measures. It handles low temperatures well and the vegetation period is short, so it is perfect for cultivation in early spring, although you may also sow it at the end of summer for the autumn ...
Taking the RSPB Wild Challenge: trees, leaves and seeds
Have you been getting outdoors and enjoying nature this autumn? We’ve been trying to make the most of the mild weather, and enjoying all that nature has to offer at this time of year. If you read the blog regularly you’ll know that we’re partnering with RSPB on lots of fun nature projects, and this month we’ve been trying out another of their Wild Challenge activities. RSPB Wild Challenge is all about helping wildlife and connecting with the ...
Ideas for enjoying autumn outdoors with children
I just love autumn. The weather is still mild, the sunlight is at a fabulous angle, and nature is visibly changing everywhere you look. My kids love it too; it’s such a tactile time of year with all those crisp leaves, changing colours, and of course the conkers! As September marches on, I’ve been thinking about how to make the most of being outdoors with the kids as much as possible before the colder weather arrives. Autumn is such a ...
How to plant bulbs
I love growing flowers from bulbs. You can create a really colourful display at times of the year when the rest of the garden is still playing catch up, and there’s such a wide variety to choose from. Bulbs are also relatively cheap compared to buying plants, so they’re a great way to create real wow factor in your garden without spending a fortune. If you’d like to add some bulbs to your garden, here’s how to do it. Choose your ...
Win a OneLeg ergonomic stool plus discount code
Are you tidying up the garden after the long, hot summer? I know mine is definitely in need of some tlc! This great giveaway courtesy of OneLeg is perfect for taking some of the hard work out of your autumn gardening jobs. I've got a OneLeg stool with seat cover to give away, read on to find out more and enter. I spend a lot of time kneeling down when I garden - don't we all? - and my knees really suffer after a while. OneLeg stools ...
Nature Craft: making leaf prints
Isn't autumn just wonderful for crafting inspiration? We've done so many lovely craft activities already this season, and these simple leaf prints are our latest masterpiece. With so many fabulous leaves lying around, we thought we'd get the paints out and put them to good use. First job was to head out for a walk in the park to find some leaves in varying shapes and sizes. After a good debate about which leaves were our favourites, ...
Product Showcase: Wickey climbing frames
The kids may be back at school this month, but autumn is still a great time to get them playing outdoors. Mine have been heading straight out into the garden to let off steam after a day of lessons. To be honest, after a summer of reduced working hours and the shock of getting back to normal working patterns, I feel like doing the same thing! If you read the blog regularly you’ll know that I’m a huge fan of outdoor activities. I ...