Teaching kids something new and being in nature is the best way to enjoy the new Spring weather. This season, start a garden with your kids that harvests much more than plants and vegetables.
With just a few tools and the determination to create a unique garden project, we organized a few ideas on how you and your family can work together to grow something special.
Why is gardening good for your family?
You don’t need a farm to grow a garden with your kids, and you don’t need to be an expert to start this hobby. Many families in urban areas create small garden spaces, while others dedicate an area in their garden to grow a few vegetables. The goal is to spend time together, preferably in Family Matching pajamas.
Communicate
Spending time with your kids doing an activity like growing a garden is an effective communication activity. Talking about what you’re doing, and how the work you put in now will result in a bounty, and ask your kids how they’re doing. It’s a dedicated time to stay off devices and talk.
Learn
No one has to be a gardening expert here, but being together and teaching your kids that they can make time to learn something new is valuable. Look up how to plant something, learn how much water to add, and create a plan for the next season. And like any new subject, it cultivates good habits of learning new skills.
Math and Science
There is a bit of math and science involved in gardening. You can talk about soil composition and photosynthesis (the science), count the number of flowers that grow in your garden, and measure the height each week (the math).
Health
There are two benefits of gardening that you can teach your kids: the physical work required to take care of a garden, and the nutrients that will have a positive effect on their bodies.
Sensory
Studies show that children who have contact with soil during activities like planting have improved moods, better learning experiences, and decreased anxiety. It can be as small as planting small seeds into cups or as big as adding new seedlings in the ground.
Create a Garden with Your Kids
Start small. Give kids a sense of purpose and responsibility by assigning them a container or small patch to water, check on, and cultivate. Here’s how you can start.
Indoor garden
If you live in a small space or have cold winters, try growing a garden inside. Use a flower pot of any size, add soil, and start with seeds or seedlings. Make sure your new garden has plenty of sunshine and can filter water.
Outdoor garden
The options outside are endless - depending on your location. If you get very cold nights or live in dry and hot temperatures, you’ll need to pick plants, flowers, and vegetables that can grow in your area. Pick a corner of your flower garden, add a garden box, or simply position a flower pot near the front door. Make sure it’s getting the right amount of sunlight and water drainage.
What should you plant? Take some inspiration from our Once Upon a Farm design and start with kale, beets, and Sweet Strawberries. Your kids will love to see all of that color come to life.
Easy garden
In most cases, succulents are easy to grow and take care of. For a busy family, creating a succulent garden inside or outside is a great way to build the skills outlined above and is low maintenance. Additional teaching moment: succulents are great to propagate and you can create a new plant from a small cutting.
Any garden
Inside or outside, your Sunny Garden needs the following:
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Ask your kids to make name labels for the flower, vegetable, or fruit plants. Use popsicle sticks and don’t forget the stickers.
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Manifest strong little plants with sweet painted rocks with sayings like “grow” and “love.”
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If you’re afraid of a bird invasion, create bright and colorful signs around your growing plants to fend them off.
Visit a Farm
You don’t have to get your hands dirty right away without a little background research. Visit a local farm and talk to a farmer or neighbor about their process for growing plants, vegetables, or fruit. Show your kids that a little bit of work generates big results.
Do you have a garden that you started with your kids? Tell us how you did it, what your kids love to do, and how other parents can start one today! Share with us below in the comments or tell us at the Facebook Little Sleepies VIPs group.
