Garden explorer

Activity

Explore the outdoors to get to know the main features that can be found in a garden and what their purpose is. 

  • Estimated time: 30 minutes
  • Location: Outdoors
  • School term: All year round
  • Level of experience: No experience needed
  • Subject(s): English, Art&DT

Learning objectives

  • Explore the school grounds and record what is found there and how it is used
  • Decide if any new equipment is needed for the school garden

Essential background information

Preparation

Print out our Garden explorer activity sheet. Use this sheet with garden features and names as a tick sheet for younger learners. 

Equipment

  • Clipboards, pens or pencils
  • Garden explorer activity sheet
  • Paper
  • Measuring tapes (optional for older pupils)
  • Gardening equipment catalogues or access to the internet

Step by step

  1. Hand out clipboards and spotter guides.
  2. Your group could work in pairs or small groups to help with discussion. Show them the area to be explored and make sure they are aware of the boundaries.
  3. Ask the group to explore the garden to find the different garden features listed on the spotter sheet. Alternatively ask them to make their own spotter sheet using features from your garden.
  4. Tick off on the sheet when they are found or draw and write the name of the feature if you know it.
  5. Use the catalogues or internet to help with naming the different features, or encourage the group to ask adults and share ideas.
  6. Older group members could measure the features and calculate their areas or volumes.
  7. Ask members to consider where it may be possible to put any new features they would like to add to the garden.

Hints & tips

  • Use this activity when learners first start coming out into the garden to help them get to know their way around and to learn the names of different features.
  • Use this activity as part of Grow Your Own Lunch class growing topic.