10 Ways to Entertain Kids with Garden Wildlife

School's out, and summer is here! While it's great that kids get a well-deserved break from the classroom, keeping them occupied with something that doesn't involve a screen can be tricky. But did you know your garden can offer more than just a breath of fresh air? No matter how big or small your outdoor space is, it's where all the wild fun is at! Here are some exciting, interactive ways to entertain the kids and get them acquainted with garden wildlife.

Make your own bird feeder

Attracting birds can bring such excitement to the garden, and distributing premium bird food in bird feeders is a great way to do it. If you want to add in an extra fun activity for the kids, why not make your own bird feeders? It will get your kids hands-on with helping your local wild birds, and they get the added enjoyment of watching them eat the food!

Ingredients

1 sachet (12g) of gelatine powder
60 ml boiling water
140g bird seeds
cookie cutter
Thread (for hanging the bird feeder)

Feel free to double the quantity for more bird feeders

Instructions

Pour the gelatine powder into a bowl and add the boiling water. Stir until the gelatine has dissolved.
Mix your bird seed into the gelatine mixture until it's well incorporated.
Using a spoon, scoop the birdseed mixture into the cookie cutter and press firmly until it's well compressed.
Carefully remove the compact mix from the cookie cutter. Repeat until all mixture is used up.
Leave bird seed feeders in the fridge overnight, so they are well set.
Once set, thread string through the feeder and tie a knot to make a loop. Top tip- use a needle to thread through the bird food.
Finally, hang the feeder outside on a tree and see what birds it attracts!

Spot the bird species

The UK is home to some of the most beautiful bird species, and you can see them in your very own garden. One way to attract them is by getting the kids to put out delicious foods for birds to enjoy. If you haven't made one from the previous step, you can buy bird feeders to distribute bird seed mixes. You can also place suet treats on the ground, which will entice many bird species to come feed. Once you've set up your feeding area, watch from a window to see what birds come and visit. You can download our Garden Bird Tick List for you and the kids to track what species you see!

Build a bird bath

Another way to attract wild birds and other wildlife to the garden is a clean drinking water supply. Grab a shallow bowl that isn't too deep and place rocks inside, so animals can safely perch above the water while drinking. Regularly top up the bowl with clean water, so wildlife learns your garden is a reliable source. This is a great way to teach kids that water is just as essential as food when caring for nature and that you don't need an expensive bird bath to hydrate them!

Plant flowers for pollinators

TAKE COVER! These Seedboms offer a fun way to get flowers and kids in the garden. It also gives them the chance to learn how to plant flowers and how plants help insects. Not only will these Seedboms leave you with bright and beautiful flowers growing in your garden, bumblebees and honey bees will love them! Essential pollinating insects like bees play important roles in our ecosystem and rely on garden flowers to enrich their diet and collect enough nectar and pollen. Click here to learn more about how bees play an essential role in our ecosystem.

Put up a nest box

Setting up a nest box can kick start the most exciting plan of events. It gives you and the kids front-row seats to watch the fascinating lifecycle of birds! Not only is putting up a nest box an excellent learning experience, but you will also be helping a species in need!

Natural nesting holes are rapidly declining for birds. Parks, playgrounds, and gardens are designed to look neater, and woodland areas have fewer trees. With fewer homes to use for shelter and to raise their young in, there is now a decline in population for many bird species. So, by simply placing a nest box in an outdoor space such as your garden, you and the kids will have played a crucial role in the survival of birds. Here are some great nest boxes to choose from.

Buy a bug hotel!

Turn your kids into hotel managers with The Minibugs Bobby's Bug Box! This is a great way to get the little ones acquainted with the insects in the garden and learn about the creepy crawlies that support the ecosystem. The Bobby's Bug Box is a small, functional habitat suitable for various garden insects and pollinators, providing them great protection in any season.

Give them an amphibian pet that roams free!

Frogs and toads in the garden will certainly get your kids squealing with excitement. It will be like having a new pet that wanders freely, and you won't have to worry about feeding it as there will be plenty of bugs around! This Frogilo will work perfectly in attracting any UK amphibian as it offers shelter all year round and safety from predators.

Transform your garden into a hedgehog oasis

Your local hedgehogs could also use a helping hand as their population has rapidly declined in recent years. This is mainly due to a lack of natural habitats and food sources. So keep the kids entertained by turning them into superheroes for a species facing extinction. Hedgehogs are also great for keeping on top of the local slug population that is destroying all your plants.

Place a hedgehog home in a quiet corner of your garden. This will provide hoggies with a safe space during summer and winter.
Just before the sun sets, fill a shallow dish with one handful of hedgehog food and leave it in a sheltered area. Hedgehogs will also need a regular supply of clean water, especially during the warmer seasons.
Cut a small hole in the bottom of the fences around your garden to create a Hedgehog Highway. You will be helping hedgehogs move around at night and encourage them into your garden too.

Get to know your garden wildlife

Your kids don't need a classroom to learn something new. Your garden can be the perfect environment for teaching, and your wildlife will be a great teacher! Introduce your kids to all life living in your garden with these fun wildlife fact sheets! These learning materials are laminated, so they will cope well in the garden when the lesson's in progress.

Stay up late to meet the nocturnal animals

Since it won't be a school night for a while, bedtimes can be stretched just a little. So why not stretch it enough until the kids can meet the nocturnal animals that come out to say hello at night? Make sure you keep safe and dress up warm! Here are some nocturnal animals living in the UK.