Kit out your kids for busy summer

6:50am Saturday 12th July 2008

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IF your children have already planted some seeds and look set to become budding gardeners, it’s time to kit them out with some clothing and equipment to keep them going through the seasons.

Look in any garden centre and you will find an increasing range of products designed for young gardeners, from brightly coloured aprons and wellies to tools and gloves.

Footwear is all important when your little ones are digging outdoors, but they need to be able to slip shoes on and off as they go in and out of the house.

Crocs have a new range out for kids - check out the Spiderman Cyman Crocs for boys, which should keep your child’s feet cool and comfortable. The footbed conforms to the foot, creating a custom fit. They’re priced from £21.95 – for stockists go to www.crocs.eu If we’re plagued with wet weather this summer, invest in a really good pair of wellies for your child, such as Young Hunter Wellies, which come with a cushioned footbed and reflective safety patches. (£25.95, www.harrodhorticultural.com, 0845 402 5300).

Young children may benefit from a lightweight PVC raincoat from Yeo Minis in a range of fun colours and three different sizes (£12.99, stockists 0121 504 2859).

Wilkinson Sword has a range of tools for both adults and children so you can work alongside each other when preparing an area of your garden. The Magic Garden kids tool set includes a shovel (£5.99), garden rake (£5.99), brush (£5.99), leaf rake (£5.99), cotton gloves (£1.49) and watering can (£4.99).

The head of each tool is made out of light, yet durable, rounded glass fibre and the shafts are made out of smooth wood with rounded tips so there are no sharp edges. Call 01656 655 595 for stockists.

Long handled tools are also available for little people. Check out the Yeo Minis range, made from lightweight aluminium shafts with extendable handles from 70cm to 90cm which can be adjusted to suit the height of each child. The handles also have large foam grips for added comfort. Prices start at £5.99, call 0121 504 2859 for stockists.

If your child is helping you to move compost or clippings, he or she may benefit from a hard-wearing wheelbarrow. A good one is the Haemmerlin children’s metal wheelbarrow (stockists 01922 621286).

And if they want some enjoyable and easy-to-follow reading, Growing Vegetables Is Fun is the first in a new series of Bookazines from Dennis Publishing. This guide, which includes 10 packets of seeds, will teach children everything they need to know about growing their own organic vegetables/ It's packed with gardening activities and challenges, with illustrated tips from veg-growing cartoon children Danny and Lilly.

It is available in most supermarkets, WHSmith, Borders, Wyevale Garden Centres and at www.growingisfun.co.uk, at £9.99.