How to Get Your Kids Into the Gardening Game

Gardening is a great way to teach kids about the earth, plants and the process of growing their own food. It also provides a chance for kids to explore the outdoors, develop their physical and mental health and learn to respect the natural world.

Basic gardening for kids

The first step in getting your little one interested in gardening is to get them involved as soon as possible. This can be as simple as allowing them to plant seeds or creating a small garden in their own outdoor space. Once they are comfortable with this, you can help them grow their own vegetables or herbs.

Providing them with their own garden tools can make the experience more personal and give them an idea of what they need to do in order to care for their own plants. Don’t be afraid to buy a sturdy set of kid-friendly tools such as a shovel, spade and gardening gloves. These tools are more dependable than cheap plastic versions and can help them work safely and efficiently.

Planting from seed is a great way for kids to see how their hard work pays off when the plants they have planted grow and bloom. It’s a fun activity that also helps kids understand how the sun can help plants to grow and why they need worms for their soil.

Create wildlife habitats in your garden

There are many things you can do to encourage birds, insects and other animals to visit your garden. Whether it’s planting a birdhouse, laying a slow-worm refuge or digging a pond, there are plenty of ways to bring nature to your garden!

Let them pick what to grow in their garden

Once you have picked a few things they like to eat, get them to plant their very own vegetable or herb garden. This will encourage them to try new foods and to enjoy the process of growing their own fresh produce.

Have a veggie calendar

Developing a vegetable garden calendar will give your children an idea of what they can expect to grow in their garden. They can then use this as a reference to decide what they will plant when and how to plan their gardening time.

Harvesting and eating what you have grown is a rewarding experience for your kids as they watch the fruits of their labor appear at the table. This is a great way to encourage healthy eating habits and teach them that all of the produce they grew themselves will be good for them and their bodies.

Gardening can also encourage the development of brain-building vitamins and minerals in your child. Studies have shown that certain fruits and vegetables, such as spinach, garlic and beets, can boost cognitive function in your child’s brain.

Making a mud pie

For younger kids, it’s important to start them off with something they can handle and that doesn’t require a lot of hands-on involvement. Providing them with a toy garden, such as My Fairy Garden – Tree Hollow, will help them get their feet wet and familiarize themselves with the process of planting seeds and watching their garden grow.