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Grow · Wild and Tumble activity

Plant a spring surprise

Hide it now, see it in spring! Tuck bulbs into the soil and wait for a colourful surprise.

  • 20 min total
  • Some mess
  • Ages 3–5*
  • Outdoors
  • Autumn

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

A tiny plan for your day

Estimated time: 5 min to prepare · 12 min to plant · 3 min to tidy. It's fine to stop early.

Before you start

What you’ll need

  • A few crocus or grape hyacinth bulbs
  • A pot of compost, or a patch of soil
  • A trowel or old spoon, 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. Together

    Look at a bulb together. Which end is the top? (The pointy one.)

  2. Dig a hole about three bulbs deep.

  3. Little one leads

    Your child pops the bulb in, pointy end up.

  4. Cover it with soil and give it a gentle pat.

  5. Add a little label or stick so you remember where it is.

All done!

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

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