Encourage the kids to spend more time outdoors by planning activities around the garden. Life Is A Garden have come up with a great DIY activity that will nurture their appreciation for gardening.
What you'll need:
- An old tyre
- Acrylic paint
- Paintbrush
- Potting mix
- Double layer of weed barrier cloth
- Staple gun (optional)
- Small plastic dinosaurs
- Some small rocks and/or stones
- Plants (like ferns, moss, Coleus etc)
Step 1
Give the old tyre a good wash the day before you begin the activity. Consider this the phase where you prep your tools. The tyre needs to be completely dry before you can use it.
Step 2
You can either use a staple gun to secure a double layer of weed barrier cloth to the tyre, or you can lie a double layer of weed barrier cloth down on the space you’re going to use for your dinosaur delight garden.
Step 3
Let them make some dinosaur footprints along the top of the tyre, arrows, leaves, or anything else that works with the theme. Remember to leave room for creative play, if it’s not exactly on theme, that’s fine too. Let the children lead with their own ideas.
Step 4
Once the paint is dry, you can place the tyre on the weed barrier cloth.
Step 5
Fill the inside of the tyre with soil, leaving enough room for the plants you’re going to be adding. Dinosaurs, rocks, and other small items will also need to fit in. At this stage, it’s great to talk to children about soil and its importance in sustaining life.
Step 6
Now is the most fun part of all. Plant the plants, paying special attention to leaving space for the dinosaurs. Remember to choose plants based on the location of the tyre.
* For more information on bringing Life to your Garden, visit www.lifeisagarden.co.za or join the conversation on Facebook: www.facebook.com/lifeisagardensa.