Kiddipedia

Kiddipedia

by The Plant Runner

 

While gifts are a great way to celebrate loved ones on special occasions, there’s nothing better than spending quality time together. Aligning with the first few days of spring, Father’s Day it’s the perfect time to get outdoors and make new memories with Dad that will last a lifetime.

To help parents get creative, Aussie plant experts The Plant Runner have put together their favourite family-friendly DIY activities for both parents and kids to enjoy in the great outdoors.

Note: adult supervision is always advised.

  • Build a pebble family

Scavenger hunts can be a great way for kids to explore nature. By giving them a set task, their minds and bodies are firing with curiosity and determination. Take them into the backyard or for a gentle stroll around the block to find the best pebbles or fallen leaves to build a miniature family. Parents can also join in the fun for a bit of healthy competition.

Once you’ve got a solid collection of materials and they’ve been washed and dried, open up the craft cupboard and get creative. From googly eyes to colourful pipe cleaners, let the kids’ imagination run wild as they bring their new pebble family to life. Characters can be inspired by the members of their own family or completely made up. Once finished, help the kids display their new little friends around the house, on windowsills, or in the garden. They make the perfect paper weights!

If scavenger hunts aren’t for you or your family, a bag of pebbles from your local craft or hardware store will do the trick. Alternatively, Poppy and Daisy’s Ladybird Rock Mini Kit from The Plant Runner Kids range has all the tools you need to build a family of creative creatures.

Tip: PVA glue helps to waterproof paint in the elements.

  •  Create a bouquet of paper flowers

Forget delivery fees, create a gorgeous bouquet of handmade flowers at home. All you’ll need are a few sheets of paper (recycle old cards, magazines or note pads if you can!), a selection of colouring pencils (optional), paper fasteners, tape, popsicle sticks and child-safe scissors.

This exercise is a great way for the kids to get creative with shapes and colour patterns. You can even have a rolling slideshow with the colour wheel or photos of flowers playing on a nearby laptop to spark their imagination.

Once you’ve got a collection of interesting shapes, layer them together to create fun colour patterns and use a paper fastener to set each design. Tape your completed flower tops to a popsicle stick and voila! A beautiful bouquet of flowers for Dad.

Tip: To save time and help little hands with the tricky bits, pre-cut shapes from the paper in advance.

  • Plant a herb garden

Keen to introduce the kids to the garden but don’t know where to start? One word: herbs. Small, edible and fast growing, herbs are the perfect way to start the garden journey for little green thumbs.

This Father’s Day, treat Dad to a Kids Herb Set from The Plant Runner Kids. Complete with plant tags to help children learn the names of each herb, biodegradable pots and a mini picture booklet detailing the stages of growth, the Set is the perfect introduction to plant life. It’s also a fun activity with a wealth of benefits for the whole family from learning new practical skills to understanding responsibility (i.e., ensuring they’re watered every day), and providing unlimited seasoning for Sunday roasts!

Tip: Herb gardens don’t need much space. Plant them anywhere from a garden patch to recycled tin cans! Recommended for children aged 3-12 years.

  • Discover who’s living in your backyard

Put grandma’s old magnifying glass to the test in an exhilarating backyard adventure for curious minds. Discover who’s who in your backyard zoo by getting up close with different plants and flowers, using the magnifying glass to zoom in on the tiny world of insects, bugs and interesting flora.

Encourage the kids to take a notebook on their journey and fill the pages with the different sights they see.

If you’d like to let the kids take the reins, a Bamboo Magnifying Glass made for little hands is available via The Plant Runner Kids.