Let your children go conkers! By collecting tree seeds and planting them, they will learn how to plant while reinforcing their understanding of the link between seeds and plants.

What you will need
a plant pot
crocks
soil and compost
some tree seeds - conkers from a horse chestnut tree, acorns from an oak tree, and helicopters from a sycamore tree are all good ones to look for

Take your children for a walk in the park or in the countryside to collect some seeds. Conkers are always a good seed for planting. Check their seeds do not have any holes in them - if they have, it means insect larvae will be inside eating! Place some crocks at the base of a pot, then nearly fill it with soil, mixed with some compost. Ask your children to plant their seed about 2cm deep, then cover it up with soil and compost, watering it well. They can put their pot in a shady place in the garden for the winter. Ensure the children check it from time to time to see if the soil is too dry - but they shouldn't overwater it! Explain to your child that they will need to wait until spring to see if their seed has sprouted. They can grow their tree in a pot as long as they keep repotting it into a bigger pot whenever it gets too cramped.