Tell Homebase how you will get your kids in the garden over the summer - £300 voucher to be won! NOW CLOSED

[EmmaMumsnet]

It’s a common worry that our DC don’t spend enough time outside, especially with teens glued to their phones and toddlers insisting on watching their favourite movie for the 1000th time. Homebase would like to find out how you will encourage your DC to get out in the garden this summer.

Here’s what Homebase has to say: "No matter how big or small your garden is, you want to create a haven that can be enjoyed by your family all year round, especially in the summer months. You don't have to be a professional gardener to plan your own landscape, which is why we have put together useful advice guides and top tips containing plenty of garden ideas to give you the inspiration you need to begin.”

So how will you get your DC in the garden this summer? Will you get them to help you plant fruit and veg so they can get excited watching them grow? Perhaps you’d like to recreate activities you did in the garden when you were a child? If it rains will you be determined to stay outside and play games in a shelter or craft decorations that can be put in the garden when it’s dry again?

Whether you want to create a play haven by building a mini playground or make the perfect space for eating alfresco please post your ideas and plans below and you will be entered into the prize draw where one lucky MNer will win a £300 Homebase voucher.

Thanks and good luck!

MNHQ

Standard Insight T&Cs apply

[asuwere]

I've never had any problems getting my DC in the garden, it's getting them back in that's the problem :)

[Mrscog]

I will be sending them out to their sandpit - my Dad built them a 3mx2m monstrosity which takes up way too much space but they can be supercreative in there. I also have lots of natural materials they can play with - stones, soil, old buckets - they love getting stuck in.

[user1492958275]

My son loves being in the garden.

We've got a herd of guinea pigs out there. He spends alot of time with them.

This year we are building a new bigger run for them, and we are creating a 'quiet spot' where we are gonna plant an apple tree and decorate a little fairy garden in memory of a very close relative passing away earlier this year.

He is picking everything from the colours to the gravel and the spot we're putting it.

We are also growing pumpkins for the first time this year! :)

[BooRooandTiggerToo]

With picnics a summer must-have I take the washing up bowl outside for the children to 'help' with the washing up. It does end up looking more like a mud kitchen but at least they had fun and were enjoying the fresh air.

[DoItTooJulia]

Water, water, water. Paddling pools, splash toys, water fights, the hose-are the very best ways to get my kids in the garden, they love it!

Hoping for a warm and fine summer to take full advantage of the garden.

[NerrSnerr]

We are getting AstroTurf in our garden next month as it's currently rubbish for children. We are putting up a Wendy house and water table and lots of small things like balls, bubble mowers etc.

[clam77]

They love their trampoline. The swimming pool comes out in the summer and my two youngest also enjoy helping me plant bulbs and getting rid of any weeds.

[CopperPan]

They love helping with the vegetable bed and watering the flowers. They each have their own pot which they choose their own plants for, and add little toys to make a little scene. We've got some lovely garden furniture this year including a swing seat and they love going out and sitting on that on a nice day.

[mummyeme]

My dd also really enjoys being in the garden. She's very much into wildlife so frog and tadpole hunting in the pond and at present she's seeing how many different types of caterpillar she can find. She also has a trampoline and swingball which keep her (and me) entertained :)

[sharond101]

Our football goals e enough to get my five year old into the garden. My two year old likes to help so play lawnmower and watering cans are ideal. We love picnics and eat outside often and the favourite toy is the paddling pool.

[KavvLar]

Seed pots and paddling pool and trampoline does the trick - can't get them back inside most of the time!

[boptanana]

My kids love playing in their playhouse and paddling pool . It keeps them amused for hours on end.

[InvisibleKittenAttack]

Refuse to put TV on, open back door.

[EasterRobin]

I always keep a picnic blanket and a few outdoor toys by the front door so we're ready to go if the sun peaks out.

[MunchyMunchkin]

Open the door - it's such a novelty that she loves it. The real struggle is getting her inside again.

[ButterflyOfFreedom]

My DC love being in the garden!

We have a few outdoor toys in there including a sand / water table and trampoline.

I'm not really a gardener but other family members are and encourage DC to plant seeds, water flowers, and take notice of trees & wildlife etc.

Saying let's have a picnic gets them in the garden too - they love that!

[vickyors]

We have raised beds so the girls help me out with the garden. The baby sits in the beds, eats soil and is so happy.. my four year old actually helps and has her own beans and various other veg.. it's lovely.
Oh, and I get the kids out into the garden every single day. Whenever I'm knackered, we go in th garden. If the weather is good, we eat in the garden. We get out a lot. And it's awesome. Less mess in the house, happy kids. Happy me!

[FlukeSkyeRunner]

My kids love being outside. They have a paddling pool, bikes and scooters and love playing fairies etc outside. They don't need any encouragement, but garden chalks, a jug of water with a paint brush or a bubble wand always go down well.

[cobhamhall]

Dreading summer as my dd would rather stay indoors than go out into the garden.If i could afford to buy a few garden bits such as a garden swing bench to spruce up the garden and make it more fun,i could possibly encourage her to spend more time outdoors this summer.

[littletwofeet]

Eating in the garden when they are playing-so rather than bringing them in for lunch/tea, take a picnic out to them.

Charity shop bits and bobs for the sandpit/paddling pool-gives them something new and doesn't matter too much if it gets ruined/left outside.

[Theimpossiblegirl]

We put the tent in the garden and camp out.
I also get the kids picking raspberries, redcurrants and strawberries- they have to be quick to beat the birds!

[LTBiscuit]

We are in the process of digging out a flower bed which will be just for our two ds's. They can choose their plants, plant them and tend to them. We've seen some lovely butterflies on sticks in Homebase which we will get to stick in to the flower bed to brighten it up too 🦋 🌺 🌞 Let's hope this warm weather continues too x

[bluechameleon]

My toddler loves the garden - watering the plants, picking herbs to go in the dinner, building sandcastles in his sandpit, filling the bird feeders, spotting bugs and balancing along the wall. We have our meals outside whenever the weather is nice enough too.

[TellMeItsNotTrue]

Being out there with them and joining in makes a huge difference

Growing plants can be fun, edible ones especially as they get to enjoy the produce at the end

[RueDeDay]

DD will spend much longer in the garden if I'm out there gardening while she plays! I would love to put in a mini-pond, I think she'd love looking at the wild life. She has also chosen the plants for an area I'm making over thanks to Homebase, so she is really interested in seeing how that is progressing.