How to make wildflower seed bombs

How to make wildflower seed bombs
We know how hard it can be to keep your kids entertained whilst trying to limit their screen time. So, what if there was an activity that was inexpensive and combined fun, learning and the great outdoors?

An excellent way to educate your kids, get them involved and get them outside is to create homemade wildflower seed bombs. Not only can these be used in your own garden, but you can gift them to neighbours, family and friends.

Seed bombs are made up of wildflower seeds, a little bit of clay and soil – when they are thrown down or ‘bombed’ down, they create an explosion of wildflowers once watered in. Wildflowers not only provide a pretty display but are great sources of food for bees and pollinators. Make these with your kids, work in a lesson about the importance of bees and pollinators to our food chain and the pollination process – and you’re onto a winner!

Here’s what you’ll need:

  • A packet of our UK native wildflower seeds (100g will cover 20m2)
  • Peat-free compost (can be bought online)
  • Powdered clay (can be bought online) / clay soil (if you have it in the garden!)
  • Water
  • A mixing bowl
  • A tray to leave the seedballs on to dry

Step by step

  1. Start by picking somewhere in your house or garden that you don’t mind getting messy, covering surfaces if you can to minimise clean up time.
  2. Add a cup of wildflower seeds into your mixing bowl alongside five cups of peat free compost and add 2-3 cups of your powdered clay / clay soil.
  3. Encourage your child/ren to begin mixing the contents together while you pour in a little bit of water at a time to mix the contents together (if they are uncomfortable / not a big fan of the feeling of the ingredients, swap roles!)
  4. Once the ingredients are tactile and can be formed into little balls, get your child/ren to roll them into a ball in the palm of their hand, placing them on a tray when complete.
  5. When they are on the tray, leave them to dry out in the sun! If there is no sun forecast, you can leave them to dry in a cool place such as a garage or shed.

Once your seed bombs are dry, you can throw them down in your own garden to enjoy their blooms or package them up to give to others. Who knows, your neighbour might be in need of a little wildflower pick-me-up!