Children will become closer to nature, understand their environment better, and respect it more when they are involved in gardening. In fact, working with plants can be quite fascinating to kids. You just need to implement the right approach.
There are numerous simple outdoor activities that can be done by children, such as planting seeds, watering the garden beds, and harvesting vegetables.
Are you looking for ways to make gardening more attractive to your little ones? You can benefit greatly from the following seven tips:
- Turn an activity into a game – kids enjoy sorting seeds by size and color. Finding a specific plant, bush, or tree can feel like a scavenger hunt.
- Give children tools – Buy a colorful watering can and other gardening tools just for your child. Make sure that the equipment is age appropriate. Your son or daughter has to care for their tools, learn how to use them properly, and store them after every usage.
- Invite a friend – Kids are proud of their accomplishments, and want to share them with friends. Invite a buddy for the afternoon. Your child can teach the friend a few gardening tricks.
- Set an example – The easiest way to spark interest is to show your love for gardening. Your kids will be eager to join you outside.
- Choose fast-growing, easy vegetables – Children are not as patient as adults. They want fast results. Select vegetables, flowers, and plants that are easy to grow and harvest. Examples are radishes, sunflowers, bush beans, peas, squash, pansies, and marigold.
- Take a field trip – Show possibilities of what can be established in a garden by taking your child to local farms, botanical gardens, and farmer’s markets.
- Keep a diary – Tracking and recording results is a great way to keep children fascinated.
