Expert tips on how to start a ‘bird cafe’ to keep your kids busy in the garden this summer

It’s finally starting to feel like summer, and at this time of year our thoughts are focused on how to make the most of the available outdoor space.

From dreaming about building a patio to simply keeping the weeds at bay, there are plenty of garden projects that seem much less of a chore when the sun is shining.

However, as the summer months approach, it can be difficult to know how to keep your kids occupied, especially if you’re trying to work from home or don’t want them to spend all their time indoors.

Read more: Gardening in May: What to do in the garden this month

Sustainability advocate Pat Kane has some fun and aesthetically pleasing creative garden projects to keep your family happily occupied during the summer months.

From creating a bird café to growing vegetables and herbs to use in cooking, there are plenty of things you can try to make your garden more attractive.

Speaking about her own experiences, Pat said: ‘My goal is to help the boys realize that the world is so much bigger than their playroom, bigger than our garden or our house. I wanted them to see that, even though life sometimes seems complicated. The world still exists and still needs us to take care of it.”

“And that with the right mindset we can all make a real difference. By choosing activities that are kind to our planet, we have a lot of fun while learning about different elements in nature and the importance of things like the seasons, small insects and plants.”

1. Pot up some vegetables and herbs

Whether you have a large garden or just a balcony in your apartment, you can go green. For example, we have planted kale, carrots, tomatoes and a lot of herbs – mint and coriander are always a hit here. We were even given an avocado seed to sprout! Top tip: Herbs and lettuce leaves in particular grow quickly.

1. Mow yourself

We’ve had some pretty decent days weather-wise, so we took the opportunity to dust off the mower and head out. The boys are happy to help. As always, I like to leave a bit of our lawn unmown to welcome the local wildlife, my own wild goer – dandelions are a favorite with bees.

1. Open a bird cafe

Set out some bird feeders – use old bottles and containers to make your own and let your feathered friends enjoy them. Birds like the usual seed mix, but also a little peanut butter (sugar-free, only peanuts.)

1. Insect hotel

A few years ago we received a beautiful insect hotel at Lamb Design in Delgany. We have seen a number of guests come and go and it gives us great pleasure to know that the “rooms” are being used for overnight stays or even longer. You can also make your own insect hotel – all you need are strips of wood, moss, straw, old tree trunks, pine cones and old terracotta chips. Depending on how big your hotel is, you might even see hedgehogs, toads, solitary bees, ladybugs and many other guests coming and going.

1. Create a fairytale or dinosaur garden

We used pieces we found in our garden to create a special spot for their imaginary friends. Use an old flower pot, some pebbles and pine cones to create your fantasy garden and let their imaginations run wild.

1. Exercise in nature

In 2020, like any other family, we took part in The Body Coach Joe Wicks’ daily gym classes online. Cue 2024. We now take the laptop outside and train in the garden. The fresh morning air was a fantastic way to lift the mood and start the day.

Pat is a sustainability advocate and strategist, speaker, writer, and founder of reuzi, a company that has evolved into a hub for environmental living and awareness.