Fun Things to Do with Kids on the Allotment This Summer

Summer holidays are a great time to get children involved in gardening. Allotments are bursting with life and make perfect outdoor classrooms full of colour, curiosity, and hands-on fun. Here are some simple ways to keep kids entertained and inspired this summer.

1. Pick Your Own Veg

Summer is harvest season! Let children experience the joy of pulling carrots from the soil, picking juicy tomatoes, or digging up potatoes. It’s a wonderful way to teach them where food comes from—and they’ll be more likely to try new veg if they’ve picked it themselves

Top veg to harvest with kids

Strawberries
Broad beans
Courgettes
Potatoes
Peas
Raspberries

Give them a basket and let them become mini harvesters for the day!

2. Create a Nature Journal

Encourage kids to observe the wildlife and changes in plants around the allotment by keeping a summer nature journal. They can draw pictures, press flowers, record what they see, and even stick in interesting leaves or feathers.

Ideas to include:

Drawings of bugs, birds, or butterflies
Weather observations
Lists of vegetables growing on the plot
Stuck-in petals or pressed leaves

3. Make a Scarecrow

A traditional allotment activity with a creative twist! Building a scarecrow is a great group project that lets kids use old clothes, imagination, and a bit of teamwork.

What you’ll need:

Old clothes and a hat
Straw or shredded newspaper for stuffing
A wooden frame or bamboo sticks
String or twine

Let the children give their scarecrow a name and even write a story in their journals.

4. Bug Hunting and Mini Beasts Safari

Turn the allotment into an exploration zone by going on a bug hunt. Provide magnifying glasses and encourage children to gently look under leaves, explore compost heaps, and search among the flowers.

Creatures to look out for:

Ladybirds
Worms
Woodlice
Bees
Butterflies
Spiders

Remind them to be gentle and respectful to all the creatures they find.

5. Build a Bee and Butterfly Bath

Pollinators love summer, and you can help support them by making a simple water source with the kids.

What you’ll need:

A shallow dish or saucer
Clean water
Pebbles or marbles

Place the pebbles in the dish and add water just below the top—so bees and butterflies can land safely on the stones for a drink.

6. Plant Quick-Growing Seeds

Even though it’s summer, there’s still time to sow seeds that will grow quickly before the end of the season.

Fast growers to try:

Radishes
Salad leaves
Spinach
Spring onions
French beans

Give children their own little patch to look after and let them track the progress from seed to harvest

7. Create Allotment Art

Let your little ones express themselves by making art inspired by what they see around the allotment

Ideas to try:

Leaf rubbings
Potato stamping
Painting pebbles to use as row markers
Making garden signs for different vegetables
Painting flower pots

Pressing flowers into bookmarks

8. Make Herb Bundles and Scent Bags

Herbs are often at their peak in summer. Help children harvest some fragrant favourites and turn them into small bundles or scent bags to take home.

Best herbs for this:

Lavender
Mint
Rosemary
Lemon balm

Tie the herbs together with string, or place them in a small cotton bag or muslin cloth for a lovely natural air freshener.

9. Outdoor Picnic and Garden Cooking

After a busy day on the allotment, enjoy a simple outdoor picnic made with ingredients you’ve picked together. Children can help wash, chop, and assemble simple dishes.

Easy recipes:

Veggie skewers with courgettes and tomatoes
Broad bean and mint dip
Strawberry and raspberry pots with yogurt
Potato salad with fresh herbs

A picnic blanket, a few snacks, and some shade make the perfect way to end the day.

10. Create a Sensory Path or Garden

Design a small section of the plot as a sensory garden that children can enjoy all summer.

Ideas include:

Soft lamb’s ear plants to touch
Fragrant herbs to smell
Wind chimes for gentle sound
Bright flowers like nasturtiums or calendula
Smooth pebbles or woodchips underfoot

Let children help with planting and decorating the space.

Make the Most of Summer at the Allotment

Spending time at the allotment during the summer holidays offers a screen-free, hands-on way to connect with nature, food, and each other. Whether they’re hunting for bugs, planting seeds, or munching freshly picked peas, these activities help children build a deeper appreciation for the natural world—and create memories that will last far beyond the school break.

So pack the sun cream, grab some snacks, and head to your plot for a summer of outdoor adventures!

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