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Grow · Wild and Tumble activity

Grow an acorn

Mighty oaks from little acorns grow. Plant an acorn and watch a tiny tree begin.

  • 15 min + a year
  • Some mess
  • Ages 2–5*
  • Outdoors
  • Autumn
Let's do this

*Illustrative age guidance. Your child's development and circumstances matter more than a number.

A tiny plan for your day

Estimated time: 3 min to choose · 10 min to plant · 2 min to tidy. Then wait for spring. Plus waiting time: a year. It's fine to stop early.

Before you start

What you’ll need

  • A few fresh acorns with caps that come off easily and no holes
  • A tall pot with drainage holes
  • Compost and gardening gloves

Let's begin

Five simple steps

That's the whole activity. Tick each step off as you go, and stop whenever you like.

  1. Fill the pot with compost, leaving a gap at the top.

  2. Little one leads

    Your child pokes four holes round the edge with a finger.

  3. Pop an acorn in each hole and cover gently.

  4. Water, label, and leave outside.

  5. Check in spring. Has your tree started?

All done!

That's every step. However it went, you made a little moment together.

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