7 minute read
ADD VALUE WITH
ADD VALUE WITH… CHILDREN’S GIFTS
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Garden centres can encourage the next generation of gardeners – and it can prove lucrative too
It’s National Children’s Gardening Week at the end of May. From 28 May to 5 June, a packed schedule of activities will be taking place to encourage children to enjoy the great outdoors and learn a bit about gardening in the process. Garden centres across the UK will be getting involved in the annual event, but also throughout the year to engage the younger, green n ered eneration. “Garden centres are key to inspiring children to get outside and into their gardens,” says Bigjigs Toys’ operations director Sam Ireland. “Helping to build a gardening culture will only help garden centres to thrive going forward. Some of the best examples I have seen are garden centres offering open days for kids to come along and learn how to grow different types of fruits, e eta les and fl owers. ettin children involved and active is so important.”
It’s a great way of getting children back outdoors with nature too, says a spokesman for Willsow, which has created the rst plantable children’s book. “Outdoor play is essential for child development and there are a whole host of ene ts to ardenin ranging from mental health to vitamin D. It’s all about making it exciting for them, making sure there’s no pressure and that being out in the garden is a happy escape from where they know they’re allowed to get messy.”
Rainer Schubert, managing director at Burgon & Ball, says it’s
a growing trend too, particularly since the rst loc down. With everybody at home over the last two years, it has seen huge growth. With the challenging times we’ve all been through, getting kids outside and engaging with the natural world has brought huge mental and physical health ene ts and fa ilies are keen to encourage their youngsters. These are tomorrow’s gardeners we’re talking about; getting kids into gardening at a young age nurtures an interest which will last a lifetime.”
So, what types of products can garden centres stock to encourage young gardeners? “Products that are fun, colourful and engaging certainly help engage children and make them enjoy their experience more. Having their own tools give them some ownership and responsibility which they love,” comments Ireland.
“Gardening and Explorer Kits are a great way for kids to take some ownership in the great outdoors offering
Happy Bee Edition Sprout pencils
Sprout pencils can be planted after use and grow into herbs, fl owers and e eta les. The Happy Bee Edition gives a helping hand to the threatened bees. The Sprout appy ee dition contains e eco appy ee dition contains e eco friendly and biodegradable Sprout graphite pencils, with decomposable cellulose seedcapsules for her s fl owers or e eta les. RRP . for a pac of e Launch date Available now
www.sproutworld.com Gardening Caddy Bigjigs Toys Ltd
Ideal for gardens or window boxes, the Kids Garden Caddy is packed with children’s garden tools and everything young gardeners need to get started. The garden caddy comes with 11 play pieces in total, including gardening gloves, a ruler, a trowel, a fork, a rake and more. Each gardening tool is designed with little hands in mind.
RRP £29.99 Launch date April 2022
www.bigjigstoys.co.uk The Plantable Children’s Book Willsow
Willsow books are 100% biodegradable, making a great, eco-friendly gift alternative. The cover pages are alternative. The cover pages are embedded with around 500 non-GMO which means the kids can tear off the back page and grow real herbs and vegetables.
RRP £9.99
Launch date
Available now
www.willsow.com
them the tools to learn to grow their own produce and also explore nature on their doorstep.”
Willsow adds that hands-on, interactive and educational products are key. “Kids don’t need to be lectured about technology use; they just need to be shown how fun being outside is and that the possibilities are endless when gardening, growing plants and building things in the garden. There’s no need to spend a fortune on products. Recycling and reusing household items are great for getting kids into the garden – it shows them you don t need a speci c toolset all you need is a bit of creativity.”
Think outside the box, agrees Schubert. “Think about items which are useful not just for traditional
‘gardening’ activities; a bucket is great for ponddipping or a minibeast safari, or maybe a gardening apron which will work for crafting or baking too.”
For beginners, Sprout World’s CEO and founder
Michael Stausholm recommends grow kits, or its own
Sprout pencils which he explains have a double function. “First you write, then you plant – it’s fun for kids. It’s become a symbol of sustainability because it grows a second life when it’s no longer of use.” Products such as these are popular with customers too. “We see an increase each year in sales of our plantable pencils and many of them are being used as gifts for both kids and adults,” says Stausholm. As Stausholm alludes to, it’s not just children’s gifts which are proving popular, but gardening gifts on the whole. “Gardening items have proved to be some of our
bestselling ranges over the past two to three years. Kids and parents have been more active outside which has led to a surge in sales,” says Sam Ireland.
“Items which work as gifts as well as for own-use gardening are proving very popular in this category,” adds Schubert. “Grown-ups who enjoy being in the garden are generally keen to share their interest with the youngsters of family and friends, so gifting sales are good. Again, this is where eye-catching design is helpful, as an item which has the ‘cute factor’ is a great impulse sale.”
Sustainability is an ever-growing trend too, says Willsow, and gardening gifts that are sustainable tick all the boxes. “One of the silver linings of the pandemic [is] that everyone takes better care of their garden and now appreciates what was once a small space often neglected is actually a haven and respite. The year of 2020-2021 has changed the way this country views its gardens forever, so anything to get the kids outside is an ever-growing popular choice.”
There’s seemingly no better time to grow your gift range, and with National Children’s Gardening Week just around the corner, it’s an ideal time to be stocking up on gifts for the next generation of gardeners too. ◗
Johnsons Little Gardeners Caterpillar Gardeners Caterpillar Greenhouse Kit Johnsons Seeds
Including everything needed to grow basil, peppers and tomatoes, children can learn how to sow seeds and look after them. Each kit contains: A re-usable caterpillar propagator tray and lid; basil, pepper (sweet) and tomato seeds; Jiffy-7® compost pellets wooden plant la els and a leafl et with growing tips and a pizza recipe.
RRP £11.00 Launch date Available now
www.johnsons-seeds.com
Gardening items have proved to be some of our bestselling ranges over the past two to three years. Kids and parents have been more active outside which has led to a surge in sales
National Trust Made by Burgon National Trust Made by Burgon & Ball ‘Get Me Gardening’ children’s gardening tools children’s gardening tools and accessories Burgon & Ball Otter KIDS Wellingtons Leon Boots Co Leon Boots Co
Developed from single-injection moulded Developed from single-injection moulded EVA/TRC polymer, Leon Boots’ Otter EVA/TRC polymer, Leon Boots’ Otter Kids Wellington are a sturdy wellington Kids Wellington are a sturdy wellington The National Trust ‘Get boot with super soft, washable velvet boot with super soft, washable velvet Me Gardening’ Made by Me Gardening’ Made by liner. Otters are fully insulated against Burgon & Ball’ collection of Burgon & Ball’ collection of temperatures as low as minus 30°C, children’s garden tools is the children’s garden tools is the split and crack resistant, and are 100% ideal range to help children ideal range to help children waterproof. Designed for enjoy the garden. It has been created enjoy the garden. It has been created young feet. Available in navy, young feet. Available in navy, to appeal to six- to 10-year-olds. pink and yellow.
RRP £9.99 - £18.99 Launch date Available now
www.burgonandball.com
RRP £19.99 Launch date Available now
