Gardening with children is such a wonderful activity because it gets the kids active outdoors, and they also learn how to grow the food they eat. Messing in the dirt is a classic childhood enjoyment, but gardening teaches the little ones to play in the dirt with a purpose.
As the weather gets warmer this spring, here are some easy tips to start gardening with the children:
1. Involved the children from the very start.
Let the children decide what plants they should grow in the garden. According to Julia Watkins, an author of gardening books, kids will usually pick the crops that they will likely eat fresh.
But if they can't pick a crop, Watkins recommends planting sugar snap peas that will quickly germinate in 10 days, per The Sun. After two months, these plants could then be eaten straight from the garden.
Watkins also recommends saving the pods in airtight containers after eating, as these can be planted next spring. This way, you could teach the child the actual "full cycle" of a plant seed.
2. Buy the kids their own gardening tools.
Most basic garden tools are designed for adults, and those with tiny hands might have difficulty using them. If the children have their own tools, they will be more interested in gardening because they will think of these as toys.
There is likely many sturdy, safe, and easy to clean garden tools for children at many homes or garden specialty stores. Also, don't forget to get the children their own gardening hats, gloves, and watering cans.
3. Let them explore and get dirty.
If the children would love to try digging in the soil and discovering some bugs or worms, let them have this chance to discover the earth's resources. In an interview with NPR, Jack Gilbert, a microbial expert at the University of Chicago, said that exposing children to dirt has many benefits. It will keep their immune system going, making it stronger to fight diseases.
Gilbert said that many parents make the mistake of over-sterilizing their children's environment. He encourages parents to let their kids get dirty in the backyard and then clean up with soap and water afterward.
4. Assign them a job to do.
Many kids truly enjoy being helpful, so assign them a specific job while gardening. For instance, the 3-year-old may be tasked to put the dirt in the flowerpot, the 5-year-old could be assigned to pull the weeds on the ground, and the older kids can take care of composting.
As they do their roles, try to incorporate and teach the wonders of nature and allow them their own space as they complete the task. If the kids may be messing around with your plans for the garden, then it could help to designate their own corner where they can do whatever they want while you're tending to the actual garden.
5. Add some garden decor.
A few non-gardening activities yet still related to the garden will continue to pique their interest. For instance, you could set up a weekend decorating flower pots or a bird-feeding station with arts and crafts.
6. Get the kids some gardening books.
After they've had some time working in the garden, keep them interested in growing crops by filling their home library with great gardening books. Gardeners Path has some suggestions on what books to get for kids of any age.
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