HI,

Our current topic is GROWING and I want to put 'childfriendly' compost in our sand tray with trowels, pots and beans for the children to role play with. Has anyone used any particular compost with children or do you think I would be ok with any type as long as the children wear gardening gloves? I'm thinking of allergies.

Must admit we just use ordinary common garden compost. Just make sure they wash carefully afterwards. It seems to find its way inside gloves

A personal tip is be careful not to get it in a draught, as it flies everywhere when dry!!! (as a contact lens wearer, I suffered badly the first time I tried it! )

Sue

Can I just suggest scattering ordinary bird seed in the compost.........It was amazing what it produced over a weekend

we just use ordinary...................

Same here

I used Peet free as my predessor did but I dont know why!
I tend to put in a tuff spot now rather than the sand tray as it doesnt need as much and didnt seem to get as messy.

odrinary compost, no gloves, plenty of water to wash hands or damp down so it does not fly.

have you seen idea for mud pies in growing topic planning?

mud pies under creative focus.. a twist to just compost, children loved it - thanks Sue R for plans.

Inge

peat free is certainly more environmentally friendly and doesnt dust up as much as ordinary compost which is what i found when using the normal stuff. Dont forget to add lots of artificial flowers too... great for the childrent o pretend to plant and see instant results
and MArion cant wait to see what happens with the bird seed

inge that a lovely idea for the mud pies... what are the quntaties of mud/salt and sand?

hi Apple...

not sure children just added them together and we added enough water to make it form shapes, think it was about equal of each. Bit hit and miss but very messy!! lots of paper or outside!

Inge

thanks Inge will give it a go

Equal parts mud to sand and about a quarter of the ammount of salt :)recipe states
2 cups clean mud
2 cups sand
1/2 cup salt
but its no way enough to have fun just keep doubling up to a messy amount