Here at Hilltop Garden Centre, we believe there’s no better way to inspire young minds than to get their hands a little muddy! That’s why we’re thrilled to celebrate National Children’s Gardening Week which takes places this year from 24th May to 2nd June. It's a brilliant opportunity to nurture a lifelong love of nature in the next generation.
Gardening is more than just a hobby – it’s a chance for children to explore, learn, and connect with the natural world. And during half term, it’s a fun, screen-free activity that keeps them busy and buzzing (just like the bees!).
Whether you’re a seasoned green thumb or completely new to gardening with kids, we’ve got you covered with ideas, inspiration, and plenty of goodies in-store to help get them started.
Why gardening is so good for kids
Gardening offers a treasure trove of benefits for children. It builds patience and responsibility, teaches about the life cycle of plants, and encourages healthy outdoor activity. Digging, planting, watering and harvesting all support fine motor skills and boost confidence.
Plus, kids LOVE watching something grow that they’ve helped plant. There’s a real sense of pride when they see their first sunflower bloom or pick their very first strawberry. It’s magic!
Top tips to spark their interest
Getting kids excited about gardening is all about making it fun, easy, and a little bit magical. Here are a few tried-and-tested tips from our team:
🌱 Let them choose – Give children a say in what to grow. Bright flowers like marigolds, sunflowers or nasturtiums are always winners, and they’ll love watching them grow tall and colourful.
🍓 Grow something tasty – Edible plants like strawberries, cherry tomatoes, lettuce and peas are great choices. There’s nothing quite like eating something you’ve grown yourself!
🎨 Make it creative – Let them decorate pots with paints or stickers, make plant labels from lolly sticks, or build a bug hotel from sticks and stones.
🦋 Encourage wildlife – Kids love spotting bees, butterflies and ladybirds. Choose pollinator-friendly plants like lavender (Hilltop’s plant of the month!) or verbena, and talk about how they help our gardens grow.
Perfect plants for little green thumbs
When it comes to children’s gardening, the simpler the better. Here are some great plants to start with:
- Sunflowers – Big seeds that are easy for small hands, and a big wow-factor as they grow.
- Radishes – Quick-growing and colourful – ideal for impatient little ones!
- Tomatoes – Especially cherry varieties. Plant in a grow bag or Rocket Gro vegetable planter with a bit of support.
- Herbs – Mint, basil and chives are fun, fragrant and tasty to pick.
- Nasturtiums – Edible flowers with bright colours and fast growth.
And remember, Hilltop has a fantastic range of plants suitable for children to grow, from bedding plants to veg starters – pop in and we’ll help you pick the best options.
Gardening gear for growing minds
We’ve stocked up in-store with child-friendly gardening tools, watering cans, gloves and pots, perfectly sized for small hands but tough enough for real gardening. Plus, we’ve got plenty of colourful plant pots, peat-free compost (including our favourite Rocket Gro range) and all the accessories to get them planting in no time.
Planning to grow in containers or balconies? No problem – we’ve got lots of small-space gardening ideas too, from herb pots to upcycled planters.
Fun garden projects for kids
Need some inspiration for half-term activities? Try one of these garden projects the whole family will enjoy:
🌼 Make a fairy garden – Fill a shallow pot with soil, add some succulents, pebbles and miniature garden accessories. Let kids design their own little magical world.
🐛 Create a wormery or bug hotel – Reuse old containers or wooden pallets to make a cosy hideout for insects. Great for learning about garden wildlife.
🌿 Grow a pizza garden – Plant herbs like basil and oregano with cherry tomatoes. When they’re ready to harvest, make your own homemade pizzas with the toppings!
🎨 Paint-your-own plant pot – A simple terracotta pot and some paint can lead to a burst of creative flair. Then, fill it with their choice of plants and watch it bloom!
Come and visit us this half term
Whether you’re planning a full garden project or just a windowsill herb pot, we’d love to help. Our friendly team is always happy to chat about what might work best for your garden (and your kids!). Don’t forget, we also have a garden centre with café – perfect for a little treat after a busy planting session. Why not stop by for one of our specials while you’re here, and remember that kids eat for just £1 with every adult meal purchased.
Let’s grow happy memories
Gardening with children is about so much more than plants. It’s about discovery, quality time, and nurturing a love for the outdoors that will last a lifetime. So pop into Hilltop Garden Centre in Clacton this National Children’s Gardening Week and let’s grow something wonderful together.
Happy planting!
