Gardens are magical places where imagination blooms, creativity thrives and the wonders of nature unfold. National Children’s Gardening Week is a celebration of this magic, designed to inspire a love for gardening in children everywhere. From 24 May to 1 June 2025, communities across the UK will come together to nurture curiosity, creativity and a connection to the natural world.
Whether your little ones are planting their first sunflower or digging into a vegetable patch, this week offers the perfect opportunity to get growing. The warm weather means speedy results from seed sowing and planting, making it the ideal time to spark young minds with the joys of gardening.
What Is National Children’s Gardening Week?
National Children’s Gardening Week is an annual event that encourages children to explore the joys of gardening. This festive week is all about bringing kids and grown-ups together to plant, play, and learn in the garden. From sowing seeds to creating wildlife havens, it’s a chance to share the magic of gardening and foster an early appreciation for nature.
The event aligns with a time when growing conditions are just right, ensuring that little gardeners can see the fruits of their labour quickly. Seeing plants sprout and flowers bloom within days keeps children excited and motivated, creating lasting memories and valuable learning experiences.
When Is National Children’s Gardening Week?
Mark your calendars! National Children’s Gardening Week 2025 will take place from 24 May to 1 June. These sunny spring days are perfect for outdoor fun, whether you have a sprawling garden, a cosy balcony, or even just a few pots on the windowsill. Whatever your space, there’s a way to get involved.
What Happens During National Children’s Gardening Week?
Throughout the week, individuals, schools, community groups and garden centres host a variety of activities to inspire and engage. Here’s a snapshot of what you can expect:
- Garden Projects for Kids: From planting butterfly-friendly flowers to creating miniature fairy gardens, there are countless creative projects to try.
- Workshops and Events: Many garden centres and local parks host child-friendly workshops where kids can learn about planting, composting and garden care.
- Fundraising Activities: This event also supports charities such as Greenfingers, helping to create garden spaces for children in hospices.
- Social Media Celebrations: The love for gardening is shared online with photos, ideas, and tips using hashtags like #NationalChildrensGardeningWeek.
Parents, teachers, and gardening enthusiasts all play a role in encouraging participation and creativity during this wonderful week.
Why Is National Children’s Gardening Week Important?
Gardening offers so much more than just beautiful plants. It’s a tool for education, creativity and well-being. National Children’s Gardening Week puts all of this within reach for kids and families across the UK. Here are some of the biggest benefits:
- Educational Opportunities: Gardening teaches children about science, nature and the environment. From understanding how plants grow to learning why pollinators like bees are essential, the lessons are endless.
- Hands-On Fun: Playing in the soil, planting seeds and nurturing plants is a sensory-rich experience that fosters creativity, motor skills and problem-solving.
- Mental Well-being: Spending time in nature has proven benefits for mental health, reducing stress and improving mood. Gardening connects children to the calming rhythms of the natural world.
- Family Bonding: It’s a wonderful way to spend quality time together, working as a team to create something truly special.
- Environmental Awareness: This week helps children understand the importance of caring for our planet, instilling habits that make them future environmental stewards.
By introducing children to gardening, National Children’s Gardening Week sows seeds of curiosity, responsibility and a lifelong relationship with the natural world.
Ideas for Children’s Garden Projects
Looking for inspiration to get growing? Here are some fun and simple gardening projects recommended by National Children’s Gardening Week to get kids excited about gardening:
1. Create a Sunflower Race
Challenge your kids to grow the tallest sunflower! Sunflowers germinate quickly and grow rapidly, making them an exciting choice for little gardeners. Give each child a seed, and measure their progress weekly.
2. Build a Bug Hotel
Explore the fascinating world of insects by creating a bug hotel in your garden. Use old wood, bricks, dry leaves and pinecones to make cosy homes for beetles, ladybirds, and other helpful critters.
3. Plant a Rainbow Garden
Brighten up the space by planting flowers in all the colours of the rainbow. Marigolds, petunias and cornflowers are vibrant choices that kids will love.
4. Grow Edible Treats
Get kids interested in healthy eating by planting fruits and vegetables. Quick-growing options like radishes, strawberries and lettuce will have them eagerly waiting for harvest time.
5. Make a Fairy Garden
Spark young imaginations by designing a tiny fairy garden. Use small plants, pebbles, and miniature decorations to bring this magical project to life.
6. Paint Plant Pots
Unleash their creativity by giving them plain pots to decorate. Once painted, these personalised pots can house their favourite plants or herbs.
7. Create a Scent Garden
Choose aromatic plants like lavender, mint, and rosemary, and create a sensory feast. Encourage children to smell the leaves and guess the scents.
8. Compost Together
Introduce them to the importance of composting by starting a family compost bin. Teach them about reducing waste and how compost helps plants thrive.
No matter the project, don’t forget to celebrate their successes! Whether it’s a sprouting seed or a fully-bloomed flower, every step in the garden deserves recognition.
Start Growing Together
National Children’s Gardening Week is about more than planting seeds; it’s about planting ideas, connections, and a love for nature that will last a lifetime. It’s an opportunity to introduce gardening as a delightful, rewarding activity and to inspire children to explore the world around them.
Are you ready to get your hands dirty with your little ones? Plan a project, visit a local garden centre and share your experiences with the community online using #NationalChildrensGardeningWeek. Together, we can help children grow not just plants, but a lifelong connection to the environment.
Celebrate the magic of gardening this 24 May to 1 June, and make this National Children’s Gardening Week one to remember.
Further Reading: Children’s Gardening Week, Children’s Gardening Activities, Fun Gardening Ideas for Children that Sparks Joy and Curiosity