Garden Wildlife Week is an annual event in the UK dedicated to raising awareness about the importance of garden ecosystems and encouraging people to create wildlife-friendly spaces in their own gardens. It’s a wonderful opportunity to help children connect with nature by exploring the wildlife right on their doorstep.
The week serves as a reminder that gardens are not only spaces for human enjoyment but also crucial habitats for a variety of creatures. During this time, conservation organisations, community groups, schools, local authorities, and voluntary groups are encouraged to organise various activities. Events may include creating wildlife-friendly habitats, planting native trees and wildflowers, and building bird nest boxes, bee hotels, bat boxes, and ponds. Gardeners are encouraged to offer open days, guided walks, talks, and hands-on sessions that provide practical tips and ideas for transforming their outdoor spaces into havens for wildlife.
One of the central themes of Garden Wildlife Week is biodiversity. In a world dominated by monoculture agricultural practices, gardens offer a much-needed refuge. Even school grounds can predominantly be one type of grass only, creating a bit of a green desert where nothing else grows.
Parks and gardens can provide opportunities to plant different and diverse plants, supporting wider ecosystems and attracting more wildlife. By choosing a diverse range of plants that flower over many months, we can start improving the environment and help nature recover.
Participating in Garden Wildlife Week can involve simple actions such as planting native flowers to attract local bees, setting up bird feeders, building bug hotels, or creating small ponds to support aquatic life. These activities not only enhance local biodiversity but also provide educational and recreational opportunities for individuals and families.
Whether it’s observing insects, creating habitats, or learning about the importance of biodiversity, this week offers countless ways to inspire curiosity and care for the environment. By engaging children in hands-on activities, we can help them build a deeper connection with the natural world and develop a sense of responsibility for protecting local wildlife.
1. Build a Bug Hotel
To build a bug hotel, start by gathering natural materials such as sticks, pinecones, leaves, bark, and hollow stems. You’ll also need a sturdy base, such as an old wooden crate, a stack of pallets, or even a large flowerpot turned on its side. Begin by arranging the larger items, like sticks and pieces of bark, to create a framework. Fill in the gaps with smaller materials like pinecones and leaves to provide a variety of hiding spots for different insects. Once the hotel is complete, place it in a quiet, sheltered corner of the garden. Encourage children to check the bug hotel regularly to observe which creatures have moved in. But remind them to be gentle when doing so.
Connection Tip: Discuss how insects play a crucial role in ecosystems, from pollination to breaking down organic matter.
2. Create a Wildlife Pond
We know some councils allow ponds and others do not. But a wildlife pond can be as simple as a school tray filled with water. Place it in a sunny spot and fill it with rainwater (tap water can be used, but it’s best to let it sit for a few days to remove chlorine). In a bigger pond you can add a variety of native aquatic plants like water lilies and marsh marigolds to provide oxygen and shelter for wildlife. In a big or small pond be sure to place rocks and logs around the edges to create hiding spots for frogs and insects. This also means if animals get into the pond they can also climb out. If you can dig a larger pond, ensure the sides slope gently to allow animals easy access.
Small and large ponds help children learn about aquatic ecosystems on an ongoing basis.
3. Hedgehog Highways
Hedgehog highways are simple to create but can make a huge difference for local hedgehog populations. Explain to children that hedgehogs need to roam across multiple gardens to find food, shelter, and mates. To create a hedgehog highway, cut a small hole (around 13cm x 13cm) at the base of fences or garden walls. If cutting isn’t an option, look for gaps under gates or hedges that hedgehogs can already use. This can be a great activity to get the wider community involved in.
Encourage children to decorate signs to place near the holes, raising awareness about the importance of these wildlife corridors. Additionally, they can build a hedgehog house using an upturned wooden box with a small entrance hole and filled with dry leaves.
This activity is great as it teaches children about habitat connectivity and involves practical, hands-on problem-solving.
Connection Tip: Talk about how small changes in our gardens can make a big difference for local wildlife.
4. Butterfly Feeder Craft
Making a butterfly feeder is a simple and enjoyable craft. Start by cutting brightly coloured sponge strips and soaking them in a sugar-water solution (mix one part sugar to four parts water). Place the soaked sponges in shallow dishes or tie them onto tree branches. Hang the feeders in sunny spots, as butterflies are more active in warm areas. Encourage children to watch for visiting butterflies and record the different species they see. Remind them to refresh the feeders regularly to keep the solution clean and inviting.
Why it’s great:
- Supports pollinators, which are vital for many plants.
- Encourages close observation of wildlife.
- Fosters a sense of care and stewardship.
Connection Tip: Use this activity to discuss the life cycle of butterflies and their importance in pollination.
5. Nature Scavenger Hunt
Organising a nature scavenger hunt is a great way to get children actively exploring their surroundings. Create a checklist of common garden wildlife and natural items, such as a bird feather, a bee, a snail shell, a pinecone, and different types of leaves. Give each child or group a copy of the checklist and set a time limit for finding as many items as possible. Encourage them to take photos or draw pictures of what they find instead of picking plants or disturbing wildlife. After the hunt, gather everyone together to share their findings and discuss interesting observations.
We have popped at Stewardship scavenger hunt at the end of this blog to help support you.
Additional Activities
- Plant a pollinator patch: Create a flower bed with nectar-rich plants to attract bees and butterflies.
- Make bird feeders: Use pinecones, peanut butter, and birdseed to create simple feeders.
- Track garden visitors: Set up a camera or use a notebook to record the different animals that visit the garden.
- Snail race: Collect snails and have a fun race while learning about their habits.
- Wormery project: Build a wormery to observe how worms help compost organic waste.
Why Garden Wildlife Week Matters
Garden Wildlife Week is a chance to remind ourselves of the incredible biodiversity that exists right in our own backyards. By engaging children in activities that promote care and observation of wildlife, we help them develop a sense of responsibility for the environment. Understanding the role of different species in ecosystems fosters respect for nature and inspires future actions to protect it.
This Garden Wildlife Week, let’s get outside, explore, and connect with the amazing creatures that share our gardens. Whether building bug hotels, creating hedgehog highways, or making butterfly feeders, each small action contributes to a healthier environment and a deeper love of nature. Let’s inspire children to be the next generation of wildlife champions, one garden at a time.
