Gardening? With children? Do those two even fit in the same sentence?
Well, you’d be surprised just how well you can combine the two worlds. Children love to be active. They love the outdoors. And they love dirt. Oh, how they love dirt! You’ve probably even gotten used to it by now.
Well, gardening combines all those things they love and more. If you’re interested in gardening and you’ve got kids, you’re going to want to listen up!
How to Get Started with Gardening with Children!
So how do you get your kids to channel all that explosive energy into something so delicate? It seems like it would never work out. But don’t lose hope. Here are some helpful tips that will get you well on your way.
Keep It Simple
Can you make gardening easier than 1+1? Well, that’s what you should be aiming for.
Make It Fun!
Younger kids have very short attention spans, and most of them want to learn by doing. Don’t lecture them. Have them experience gardening first hand.
Let Them Dig in the Dirt
It’s dirt. Young children will love it. Prepare for the dirty laundry though
Get the Right Equipment
Your kids should have tools that they can handle easily and safely.
Give Them Their Own Space
This is a great tip in gardening with children. It allows them to explore gardening without putting YOUR garden at risk. It doesn’t have to be too big. You can let them handle more responsibility as time goes on.
Plan Your Garden with Your Kids
Especially if they’re older. This helps them feel involved and could get them interested in this skill.
Make Your Garden Interesting
Exciting new plants, animals, and even garden structures will keep your kids fascinated. Try planting sunflowers or adding a bird feeder to keep your garden fun.
Remember!
Your kids can learn a lot from gardening. It helps them be responsible, and when they achieve results they like, it will boost their self-confidence. It’s a way to teach them to love nature and even to get them interested in science.
Keeping Your Kids Safe While Gardening
However, you also need to keep them safe while they do this. Always:
- Choose the right tools for them. If the tools are too big, they risk getting hurt. And always keep the sharp ones to yourself until they get old enough to use them.
- Try to grow your plants organically. If your children will be visiting your garden, you want to avoid chemicals as much as you can.
- Keep all gardening chemicals away from young children. If you have to use them, anything from fertilizers to insecticides should be kept out of their reach. Kids at a certain age will put almost everything they can get their hands on in their mouths.
- Protect them from the elements. If it is appropriate where you live, and your kids will be outside a lot, make sure they wear sunscreen and a hat. Their shoes and clothes should also be appropriate for your garden.
Conclusion
If you can apply all these ideas, you’re likely to find that you enjoy gardening with children than without!