Our children found it pretty dull when we were clearing the allotment (ages 8, 6 and 4) and so ran up and down the paths playing horses (!) which was fine when there was no-one else around but would have got others backs up had it been busier. In fact the first thing I was told by one 'helpful' neighbour was that I should put up a fence to stop my children going onto my neighbours plot (we have 1/2 a plot - the council is attempting to reduce the waiting list!), which I found slightly insulting as the girls would never go on someone elses plot without permission and they are always supervised! I've since found out that this neighbour is a harbinger of doom, so I can ignore her comments

Now that things are going in the ground and the site is busier with other children they are more keen and always either find something to do (planting/taking the heads off dandelions/watering/making mud pies) or someone to play with...one lovely neighbour even has a slide and a swing on her plot which all the children use. I think the old timers like having the children around as they can impart their wisdom without the sceptical looks that us grown-ups give them, its like having extra grandparents...

Having said that, I do get more done when I go down in the week when they're all at school/nursery! Don't let it out you off though - what could be more important than teaching your children where their food comes from? Plus middle daughter eats veg like its going out of fashion so we have to grow our own to avoid bankruptcy