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Volunteering at Scouts is changing to help us reach more young people

Volunteering is changing to help us reach more young people

Volunteering is changing at Scouts. Read more

Discover what this means

In the garden

Three friends need to get their farm in shape - can you help them choose the right gardening tools for each job?
Plan a session with this activity

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You’ll need

  • Gardening tools
Tools information
PDF – 205.7KB
Download Tools information

Before you begin

  • You’ll need a copy of the ‘Tool information’ sheet for each group.
  • Gather a selection of tools - you could ask parents and carers if they’re able to lend you any of the tools you need. Try to get old of hand tools including a trowel, fork, and secateurs, as well as full sized equipment such as a fork, a space, a rake, a hoe, wellies, and a watering can.
  • Invite parents and carers, and older young people, to help with the activity.
  • Adults should be the only ones who handle sharp tools such as the shears.

Guess the tools

  1. Split into two groups: an adult should join each group.
  1. The person leading the activity should give each group a selection of tools - they should rest them flat against the wall or put them out of the way, so people aren’t likely to stand on them or hurt themselves.
  2. The adult with each group should ask everyone what they think each tool is called, what they think it’s used for, and how they use it safely. Everyone should try their best to guess, and act out how they’d use it and what they think it does. 
  1. The adult with each group should show everyone the most important safety tips when using gardening tools. For example, they should show everyone how to close blades and make sure safety catches are firm, and remind everyone not to put any tools in their pockets.
  2. Each group should sit in a circle and pass around each of the tools, making sure to handle and pass them safely.

Help out in the garden

  1. Everyone should gather around in a circle.
  1. The person leading the activity should read the 'In the garden' story below.
  2. When the person leading the activity reaches a question, everyone should try to answer using their new knowledge of gardening tools. Everyone should try their best to act out how the characters would use the tools, too.

Anika, Ashley, and Aarav were friends. They loved to play after school, riding their bikes together if the weather was nice and playing games inside when it was raining.

One day, their teacher told them about an exciting new project. The school was going to turn a patch of land at the side of the playground into a beautiful garden for everyone to enjoy, and they needed people to help!

Anika, Ashley, and Aarav loved to be helpful so they decided to give it a go – even though they’d never done any gardening before. After school, they changed into some old clothes and met everyone on the playground. Loads of tools were resting against the fence, and their teacher was explaining what the first jobs were.

‘Anika’, she said. ‘Please could you dig over that patch? We want to turn it into a little flower bed’. Anika wasn’t sure which tool was best for the job, though knew she probably wasn’t the watering can (or the wellies!). Which tool should she use? Can anyone mime how to use the tool?

‘Ashley’, their teacher said. ‘Please could you start pulling up the weeds in that corner?’ Ashley headed straight over – they couldn’t wait to get started. When they got there, they realised they weren’t sure what to do. There were so many tools – would one of them be better than just using their hands? Can anyone remember which tool Ashley should use? How would they use it?

‘Aarav,’ their teacher smiled. ‘I know you’re really careful – please could you prune back those old flowers to stop them growing too big?’ Aarav was really pleased to be given such an important job, but he wasn’t sure which tool to use, and there were still loads left to choose from. What should Aarav use to prune the flowers? How should he use it?

Once everyone had finished their jobs, they put their tools back against the fence and looked around. ‘Wow,’ said Ashley. ‘It already looks so much nicer!’ While they’d been working hard, some of the other people in their class had put down compost and even planted some new bulbs.

After their break, everyone got back together to decide what to do next.

‘Do the new bulbs need to be watered?’ Aarav asked. ‘I’d like to water them’. This time, he was pretty sure which tool was right for the job. Do you know too? How should Aarav use the tool?

‘What about that pile of leaves?’ asked Anika. ‘Should I go and tidy it up?’ She had an idea of what tool would be the most help. What do you think she should use? How should she use it?

‘Are there any jobs left for me?’ Ashley asked.

‘Yes,’ said their teacher. ‘You could choose some more bulbs to plant in the little flower bed Anika prepared earlier.’ What tool should Ashley use to plant the new bulbs? What bulbs do you think they might choose?

Everyone gathered together at the end to take a photo of all their hard work so far.

‘Well done everyone,’ said their teacher. ‘You’ve all worked really hard, and our new garden already looks fantastic.’

We know that Anika, Aarav, and Ashley couldn’t have done it without your help, though. Well done!

Reflection

This activity helped everyone to learn about the different tools that help people to solve everyday problems in their gardens, so it can bloom. Do people think they’d be able to choose the right tool for a gardening problem or task? Would they like to give gardening a go? Where could people do to garden, and what would they grow? Gardening is a great way to learn more about nature and spend time in the outdoors, and it can be a mood booster too!

Safety

All activities must be safely managed. You must complete a thorough risk assessment and take appropriate steps to reduce risk. Use the safety checklist to help you plan and risk assess your activity. Always get approval for the activity, and have suitable supervision and an InTouch process.

Outdoor activities

You must have permission to use the location. Always check the weather forecast, and inform parents and carers of any change in venue.

Gardening and nature

Everyone must wash their hands after the activity has finished. Wear gloves if needed. Explain how to safely use equipment and set clear boundaries so everyone knows what’s allowed.

Sharp objects

Teach young people how to use sharp objects safely. Supervise them appropriately throughout. Store all sharp objects securely, out of the reach of young people.

Add in any more unusual tools if you want a challenge - how about a bulb planter, loppers, edging tool, or shears.

Make it accessible

All Scout activities should be inclusive and accessible.

Gardener Activity Badge

Depending on how big your group is, and where you meet, you could give everyone the chance to try some of the tools while supervised.

Anyone who knows anything about gardening already could teach other people what they know about the tools.