Book Review: Garden Crafts for Children

When I was very kindly asked by the publishers if I would like to review Garden Crafts for Children by Dawn I was a little trepedatious. My bookshelves groan with children’s gardening activity books. I even have a beloved favourite. Could this latest addition add anything new?

While I did come across the dreaded planting in a welly boot activity (a pet hate of mine), I was also pleased to see some new to me crafts too.

What I liked:

• the alpine wreath. Never mind the children, I’m making this for me
• tyrannosaurus garden. This is something my five-year-old will love. Just need to source a tyre
• stop-motion bean pot. I loved this new take on growing a bean down the side of a glass. This will be gracing our kitchen table very soon
• I liked the design of the book. It’s aimed at children and I could happily give it to my seven-year-old knowing she’d be able to follow it thanks to the clear instructions and pictures

What I wasn’t so keen on:

• Generally I liked it but the above mentioned welly boot craft could have been omitted I reckon (but that’s probably just me)
• If you already do some gardening with your children you may find that you’re familiar with some of the activities such as miniature gardens, pine cone feeders or growing cress but I think you’ll find a few gems that are new to you as I did.

It is a lovely book and would make a great present for a beginner gardener (or family) or perhaps for a grandparent eager to do more with their little ones than feed them cake during visits. You could even team it with some of the materials to make one of the activities – now that would be a lovely present. And don’t worry that you haven’t got a large garden, or any garden at all, as there is plenty to offer mini would-be balcony gardeners too.

:: I was very kindly given a copy of this book for free ::