Aside from being an enjoyable activity, gardening for kids can also be beneficial for their health. Youngsters can help maintain the garden by planting seeds, watering, fertilizing, and composting. They can also help with the planning of the garden. By planning the garden with them, you can involve them in all the aspects. They can also help you create a checklist of tasks that need to be completed in the garden. For example, if they are allowed to help with planting, they will feel proud of themselves and their hard work.
Apart from being fun and interesting, gardening for kids also makes children more likely to eat the food that they grow. Kids who are picky eaters are likely to eat more of the food that they have grown themselves. Moreover, gardening allows you and your kids to spend quality time together as a family. In addition, gardening for kids is a relaxing activity that can provide a welcome break from their screen time. It also teaches kids responsibility as plants and flowers do not grow overnight and require regular care.
Apart from providing fun activities, gardening also helps kids develop important skills, including fine motor skills and sensory development. Moreover, it encourages kids to eat vegetables and fruits, as well as other healthy foods. It also helps them experience some of the educational topics that they learn in school. They can also use the experience of gardening to create a lifelong love of the outdoors. Once they have mastered gardening, they may want to start their own garden.
It can be difficult for kids to get into gardening. Many kids won’t be interested in it, and the lessons may not stick until the end of the growing season. However, it’s important for kids to understand the importance of learning about where their food comes from. This way, they can respect the earth and stop wasting food. They can also learn about the importance of water, sunlight, and soil. If you are interested in teaching kids about the importance of gardening, try starting a garden with your children.
Kids can also learn about local wildlife by planting butterfly bushes and birdhouses. These will not only attract local animals but also teach them about the birds and other animals. If you have the time, you can also plant toad houses. Toads are beneficial to the environment because they eat pests and other insects that may harm the garden. It is also important for parents to engage their kids in gardening. The process should be fun for both of you.
Children’s gardening projects can be as simple or as elaborate as they want. When you choose your plants, try to pick those that are easy to maintain and can grow in containers. Clay pots and terracotta pots are ideal for planting. Old sandboxes can also be used as pots. When choosing containers for planting, ensure that the pot’s size is proportional to the plant’s height. Moreover, you can buy child-friendly tools that are safe for small hands.
Worm bins can help teach your child a lot about soil science and can be a fun activity for kids. Red wriggler worms are excellent food scrap digestors. You can buy worms from the local supermarket or buy them from online stores. Once your worms are established, you can start watching them in their activity. They are great for teaching kids about soil health, allowing them to get their hands dirty.