It’s the Easter Holidays arriving very soon and what better way to spend it than as a family. Getting outdoors, having laughs and creating wonderful memories!
All of my favourite childhood memories were adventures big or small outdoors, whether it was walking on the foggy moors of Dartmoor, building dens or getting out in the garden together.

Keeping my fingers and toes crossed for sunny weather, I wanted to share a few family activity ideas that you and your little ones can do in the garden over the coming holiday.

In case the ‘Beast from the East’ makes a second return, I have added some indoor activities too.

Cress Caterpillars

You will need the following items:

• Empty egg cartons/trays
• Cotton Wool balls or pads
• Compost
• Cress seeds, or any other small salad or herb seeds
• Coloured Pens or Paint
• Wiggly eyes
• Scissors
• Spray water bottle

Step 1 – Using the scissors, carefully cut the egg cartons into long rectangular strips. Giving yourself at least 3 egg slots per strip. These will make the base of your caterpillar.

Step 2 – Now use the pens to decorate your caterpillar with its own unique design and attach the Wiggly eyes to one end of the caterpillar

Step 3 – Place a Cotton Wool ball or pad in to the base of each slot

Step 4 – Fill each slot 3/4 of the way up with compost

Step 5 – Place a pinch of the seeds on to the top of compost and sprinkle a thin layer of compost over the top

Step 6 – Give the compost a spray of water to dampen the soil and seeds before placing on a sunny windowsill

Now be patient and wait for your seeds to turn into beautiful edible cress which you can enjoy in sandwiches and salads.

Build a Bug Hotel

You can use any of the following:

• Old Wooden Pallets
• Strips of wood
• Straw
• Moss
• Dry Leaves
• Woodchips
• Bark
• Pine Cones
• Old Terracotta Pots
• Bricks, those with holes through them ideally
• Old Logs
• Hollow Bamboo Canes
• Old Roofing Tiles

Step 1 – Choose a suitable level space in your garden or allotment, maybe near lots of wildlife loving flowers such as Sunflowers, Cosmos and Verbena.

Step 2 – Create a strong stable layered structure using the bricks and wooden pallets; no more than a metre high

Step 3 – Now fill all the gaps with the other listed materials – providing different beds and tunnels for a wide range of wildlife.

Step 4 – Use the roofing tiles or felt if you have any to provide a roof to your bug hotel. Cover these with more moss, leaves or bark to complete the natural look.

Your bug hotel is now complete, but why not add a touch of personality by naming the hotel and adding a sign using paints and wood.

Personalised Terracotta Pots

Grab the following:

• Terracotta Pots
• Paints – Coloured or Blackboard
• Ceramic Pens
• Optional – Stencils, Stickers, Chalk, Washi tape

These don’t really need detailed steps, just ensure that the pots and clean and dry when you start, then get decorating the outside exactly as you wish.
Use the Blackboard paint and chalk if you would like to have the option of changing your design year after year. Otherwise, using coloured paint or ceramic pens why not add your own name or the name of plant you will be sowing inside. You could also paint your favourite veg or flowers, or how about Easter related things such as eggs, chicks and rabbits.

Once dried and decorated, fill with compost and sow your chosen flower or veg seeds.

Lastly and keeping things really simple, why not create individual smaller spaces in your garden or allotment for your child or children. There are no rules within their spaces – they can choose what seeds they want to grow and if they want to decorate it with a sign or ornament.

Allow them to be as creative as they wish with all of the above ideas. I would love you to then share photos of their creations with me on my Facebook or Twitter page.

If you are thinking these all sound fab (hopefully you are) but have no tools and want to get really stuck into the soil, then do not worry….because I am teaming up with the wonderful leading garden brand – Burgon & Ball this holiday to bring you an amazing bundle of children’s prizes.

What’s included?!

One lucky winner will receive all of the following:

• 1 x Buzz Kneeler
• 1 x Dotty Kneeler
• 1 x Child’s Hand Fork
• 1 x Child’s Trowel
• 1 x Child’s Wooden Trug

It is an incredible bundle worth a total RRP of £59.95 and now is your chance to make it yours.

How to enter in 3 easy steps:

1. Follow Life at No.27 and Burgon & Ball on Twitter or Facebook; if you don’t already.
2. Comment and share the blog post on either Facebook or Twitter to complete your entry into the draw.
3. Double your chances of winning by tagging your friends and family in the comment for a bonus entry.
4. Why not triple your chances too, by subscribing to my YouTube channel here and letting me know.

All entries across Twitter and Facebook will be collated and checked, with a lucky dip being drawn and one lucky winner announced on Monday 2nd April.

Want to get your hands on this amazing family bundle for your little one?

What are you waiting for? Get entering!

Terms & Conditions
– A lucky dip will be drawn announcing one winner on Monday 2nd April.
– The winner will be announced on Twitter & Facebook, receiving a Direct Message, where I will ask for both your email and postal address so that Burgon & Ball can send you your prize directly.
– Competition is open to UK addresses only.