This year, National Children’s Gardening Week welcomes a brand-new initiative in a bid to encourage more engagement and participation.
In a recent study conducted by the Horticultural Trades Association (HTA), the Value of Gardens found that children living more than a 20-minute walk from green spaces experiences two extra hours of screen time and poorer mental health than those living within a 5-minute walk.
Taking place from 23 – 31 May 2026, National Children’s Gardening Week will host the Great Garden Centre Mystery as an interactive initiative taking children and parents around garden centres on the search for hidden mysteries as a means of introducing them to more green space and the world of gardening.
Fran Barnes, chief executive of the HTA says the Great Garden Centre Mystery “will be a perfect half-term activity for families, encouraging footfall, dwell time, and engagement at our member sites, while also demonstrating how accessible and enjoyable gardening can be.” She adds:
“It encourages children to get hands-on, building confidence, skills, and curiosity that can lead to lifelong interest and, hopefully, also future careers in horticulture.”
The HTA also welcomes back Lee Connelly as an ambassador. He says:
“Garden centres are incredible places for families, and The Great Garden Centre Mystery adds a layer of adventure that gets children excited to explore. Cracking the code together creates shared memories and shows children that gardening is full of curiosity, fun, and magic.”
Families who take part in the initiative and take a photo will be entered into a prize draw to win a £250 National Garden Gift Card.
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