Garden Crafts for Children--a book review

I recently came across Dawn Isaac's blog  on Fennel and Fern about how she had designed a family garden and  I was so taken by it that I ordered her book, Garden Crafts for Children.  This was a bit of an impulse buy and  not something I normally do, as I like to see books first before I decide whether or not to buy, but I'm glad I did.

I've always been keen to encourage children to get outdoors, take an interest in the garden and wildlife, first with my own children and now with my grandchildren.  I know how difficult it can be sometimes to keep them interested.

This book is full of project ideas for both indoor and outdoor gardening.  You don't need to have a large garden to be able to try them.  A kitchen windowsill, backyard or some containers might be all that's needed. Some of the projects can be done indoors, so are great for bad weather days. Other projects are more adventurous and involve getting messy.

There are the sowing and growing projects like making a cress caterpillar, a microleaves farm, a climbing bean archway or a herb tower. I think my 2 grandsons would love to make the Tyrannosaurus garden, made using an old tyre, planted up with ferns, moss, rocks and plastic dinosaur figures.

There are some great ideas for presents to make, like pressed flower placemats,  herbal bath bags, scented flower soaps, a Mother's Day teapot or  spring flower basket. The insect hotel and the pine cone bird feeder are good for encouraging the wildlife to visit your garden.

The book is well set out with plenty of photographs and easy to follow step by step instructions. These fun and creative projects are a great way to help children to learn more about gardening.
I can see this book being a hit with both young and old. In fact I think I'd quite like to try making the alpine wreath.