for the kids at easter
22/03/08 14:01
with the news of the arctic easter that’s upon us, the more you can entertain the little darlings indoors, the better. I’m sure you’d agree!!
how about a bonnet? make and decorate your own, this is easily done with a hat which you already own, or make your own crown from a cereal packet, an empty easter egg packet or any piece of cardboard. be imaginative use tin foil, glitter, stickers, coloured paper, ribbon, straws, tissue paper, cotton wool, little yellow chicks in nests, feathers and flowers from the garden. … and have yourselves a parade.
sunflowers
20/03/08 19:29 Filed in: kids
it’s already time – in fact the perfect time, to sow seeds for the year ahead.
so perhaps this is the year to help your children grow a sunflower that is taller than them, taller even than the tallest person in the family.
you will need:
a packet of sunflower seeds
a small bag of potting compost (peat free)
some small pots (yoghurt pots with holes in the bottom work well)
a watering can with a sprinkler (called a ‘rose’)
later you will need:
a very tall bamboo cane – at least 2m
string
fill the pot with compost and sow two seeds about 1cm deep.
water them using a watering can with a sprinkler on the end.
keep on a sunny windowsill (germination 1-2 weeks).
if both seeds germinate, one will have to be removed. – there are two ways of treating this - nature is ruthless and one seedling dies, or dig it out and replant in another pot so it has a chance.
grow them on, watering when the compost feels dry.
when about 30cm tall, they are big enough to go outside.
either plant against a wall or fence that you can tie them to, or use tall bamboo canes.
tie loosely to the support - as the stems swell and grow it’s easy for the string to get tight and strangle the plant, so remember to check it.
the other big menace at first is slugs. Take a torch and a pot (with a lid) outside for a slug hunt before bedtime. release the next day as far away as you can!
thanks to my friend clare cooke, who from 1991 - 2000 was the blue peter gardener, she now runs a cottage industry on her beautiful farm in somerset with her donkeys, doggies and her husband, henry. have a look at her website
www.friendandgardener.co.uk
draw, paint, sketch or doodle
20/03/08 19:26 Filed in: kids
competition of the month!
have your kids draw, paint, sketch or doodle, on a napkin, wood, paper or a noodle - a cacao pod with all it’s colours and sweetness. take a photo or scan it and email it to us at info@taniaharcourt-cooze.com. kids will be judged in two categories - 5 to 7 year olds and 8 to 10 year olds. the winners will have their picture pasted on the kids room blog front page for a week
watch this space for more competitions and hot art tips for your kids, we’re madly into art!!
have your kids draw, paint, sketch or doodle, on a napkin, wood, paper or a noodle - a cacao pod with all it’s colours and sweetness. take a photo or scan it and email it to us at info@taniaharcourt-cooze.com. kids will be judged in two categories - 5 to 7 year olds and 8 to 10 year olds. the winners will have their picture pasted on the kids room blog front page for a week
watch this space for more competitions and hot art tips for your kids, we’re madly into art!!