DYI Kids Watering Can

This week at Wide Bay Kids playgroup we welcomed spring with a lovely ‘in the garden’ theme. Children picked and sampled the yummy red tomatoes from our playgroup garden. We weeded and watered our garden beds and planted some new marigold seedlings. We chose marigold flowers for their vibrant colours, hardy nature and their natural ability to deter bugs from our tomato plants. The children had a great morning and are looking forward to seeing our garden grow.

Spring is a great time to get into the garden with your children……..and it doesn’t have to be an expensive exercise.  You can grow herbs, flowers and small vegetables in recycled containers like styrofoam boxes.  They make great planter boxes and are super easy to insert drainage holes.

To keep in line with our gardening theme we made a DYI Kids Watering Can.  We made it from a recycled tin can. The hammering component of this activity was super fun and a lot easier than hammering into wood.  Here’s how to make your own:

What you need:

• tin can
• hammer
• large screw or a nail
• string
• scissors
• power drill, block of wood or church key
• bucket of water

What to do:

1. Remove label from your tin and clean.
2. Using a hammer and a large screw, puncture small holes in the bottom of the tin can (helping children when appropriate). Make as many tiny holes to resemble a watering can head.
3. Make 2 holes opposite each other on the top of the can.

• This can be done by drilling holes with a power drill or
•  Placing a block of wood inside the can and hammering a hole through the edge or
• Using a church key from an old can opener.

4. Cut your string or wire to your desired handle length (about 30-40cm)
5. Tie your string or wire to each of the holes at the top of the can to make a handle.
6. Fill up a bucket with water.
7. Dip your watering can into the water and sprinkle over your plants.

Even though we used string with our DIY kids watering can, it’s probably best to use wire as it will be more durable over time. To make this activity extra fun you could get out some paints or stickers and decorate your watering can.

Good luck with your spring planting! Do you have a garden? What’s your favourite things to grow? Have you made your own DIY kids watering can using recycled materials? Please share with me below if you have I’d love to hear your gardening stories.