Engaging children with the outdoors is so important. Getting off the sofa, switching off the TV, going outside, breathing in fresh air, and taking part in an outdoor activity are all great for the health and life wealth of the next generation (and ourselves!)

The best time to get them involved is young. As early as can be. And right this very minute – whatever their age.

Small things like picking flowers, digging about in mud, learning and repeating name of plants as you walk past them every day, talking about the changes in plants as they flower, watching a seed germinate in a jar before planting outside…all are easy things to do with our children.

My smallest spends a lot of time in the garden, getting muddy and picking plants. Just last week she got quite sad because someone had knocked off a daffodil and it lay squashed on the path. I love her emotional connection to plants, even at her tender age of 3.