Children v Allotments

[lost the plot]

I feel like i`m being torn in two at the moment. I love spending time at my allotment, but my children don`t seem to enjoy it the same way my hubby and i do. We like to plan to spend a day a week at the allotment, but my children, even with nintendo and game boy, say they are borde and want to go home. I have an enclosed area, the has sheds in and the children own one shed, but they can`t amuse themselves for long enough. I did think about getting a swing but would it get vandalised? Any idea`s to make next growing season more fun for them ?

[User Removed]

Are your childen Boys or Girls and how old are they??
Get one of these, iv always wanted one
http://www.outdoortoysdirect.co.uk/T...B-Dumper-Truck

[Lesley Jay]

Give them their own plot inside yours to grow their own vegetables on. That's what the kids do on our allotment site and they all enjoy it.

[User Removed]

No get them the dumper truck, they will enjot it more

[vicki]

get a bit of competition into it!
my 2 children (4 and 8) weren't that interested in growing anything till I gave them their own patch and now they enjoy trying to grow bigger and better veg than each other. Try and get something that grows quick so they don't lose interest!
who can grow the biggest pumpkin always goes down well.

[Squirrel]

I am not pointing fingers here, but I am amazed at how youngsters find it difficult to keep themselves occupied without the use of tv or gameboys etc. My grand daughter came to spend the weekend and was most put out to find that I did not have tv! Eventually she started to use her imagination and made herself a house behind the sofa using a blanket and some pillows, complete with china animals from the display cabinet! Was very reluctant to break it down and go home when mum came to collect her!

Once they start using their imagination the world is their oyster!

[vicki]

I whole-heartedly agree! mine are both happy too watch tv but don't miss it when its not around and have LOADS more fun without it once they get going!

[sewer rat]

Iona loves to help me in the garden but gets bored after half an hour and disappears off onto her trampoline. The only time she seems really interested for any length of time is when she is planting seeds or onion sets of her own, or when we are making a measuring board for her sunflowers (a length of 4" x 2") which she paints and I mark every six inches. Then she checks it regularly. But having said all that, she spends about two hours minimum every day playing in the garden (weather permitting - even sometimes weather not permitting ), and she can name most of the flowers, shrubs and veggies so I must be doing something right, but not exactly sure what.

[Sunbeam]

My son seems to enjoy gardening - or at least digging the soil into his wheelbarrow & mixing it with enough water to make brown soup...

[lost the plot]

My oldest is a girl and (@ that orkwardage! ) 12! Then comes my son who is 8 and has ADHD and then there is my baby who is 16mths and quite happy with going to the allotment and getting dirty or playing in her travel cot with her babies. We have done alot of camping in the past (not for a few years, my husband has muscle probles and can`t manage it for now.) And we could go away for 2 weeks without taking anything modern, but i would let them use things on site. and we never had a problem then. Sorry seedsforsuccess but i think my son is to old and my little one would only go on it if it came in pink! I am giving them there own seed beds, but they have been shareing mine and lose interest, but maybe if it is just theirs it might work.Well do sewer rat for teaching your daughter all the names of the plants! Can you teach me next. Ha ha.

[User Removed]

OHhhhhhh, well you could paint it pink or buy this
http://shop.d2leisuregroup.co.uk/pro...tno430265.html

[sewer rat]

LTP
The main reason behind teaching her the names of all the plants and getting her to recognise them, or at least where abouts in the garden they are situated, was to stop her decimating them by hitting them with garden canes , picking the flowers before they were ready , digging them up and replanting them etc etc, so it was born out of necessity !

[lost the plot]

I think i like the idea of painting the digger pink best! Thanks for all the idea`s, at least i know i am not the only one with this problem! I think i will make them a raised bed each and let them look thrugh the seed cataloges and choose a couple of packets of seeds each to grow and keep my fingers crossed.

[yoanbob]

good luck with the 12 yr old tho, try telling her all the young farmers are really fit and if she grows somthing good enough to put in the local show she might meet one.

[Earthbabe]

I tried giving my daughter (4) a plot but unfortunately despite her best efforts aided and abetted by me nothing grew. She seems to have enjoyed helping put the membrane down and loves to pick veg, flowers, fruit. She also seems to be one of those little girls very happy to collect worms, woodlice, beetles, stones, mud. Also enjoys watering things with the hose and attachments (can't imagine why)

Keep trying. I think the element of competition for older children probably works well. And yes who knows who they may meet. Maybe even a celebrity role model.