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If you have decided to feed your family by building your own garden, here are some great tips for How To Get Kids Involved In Gardening.
How To Get Kids Involved In Gardening
This is not only a great way for your kids to help out around the house, but it is an excellent tool for teaching them. Gardening teaches all about plant life, but also helps you teach about things like budgeting, recycling, nutrition and responsibility. It's a great way to get them invested in a healthier lifestyle!
Garden Ideas For Kids
Let them plant the seedlings
There is nothing more fun than watching something you did change in front of you. Get out the seedling cups, soil, seeds and water and let your kids have fun planting them all by themselves. Make sure to mark the cups so you know what plant is what, and remind them to water regularly as they watch the seeds take off and become plants they can then transfer to the ground or larger containers.
Let this be a chance to get dirty
All kinds like to get dirty, why not let them do it while they help in the garden. You can even encourage the occasional mud pie or mud puddle jumping as they help you weed the garden, pick produce as it is ripe for harvesting or simply help with the initial planting.
Let them plant what they want to eat
Instead of making the garden all about what you want to cook and eat, make sure to give them plenty of options that they want. Let them look with you at seeds and pick out what they want to grow. Some kids will pick their own favorite vegetables while others will pick something unique that looks fun to grow.
Cool Garden Ideas For Kids
Let them sell excess produce at local Farmers Markets
If you have a bumper crop, let your kids load up the extra and take down to the local Farmers Market to sell. Not only will it help them to be excited about the garden, it will teach them about money, responsibility and capitalism at its best.
Get them in the kitchen
This is the perfect time to encourage them to cook things by themselves. Let them browse recipes for the perfect item to make with your fresh garden vegetables. Kids love helping in the kitchen, and can feel proud of their work when they see other family members eating and enjoying it.
It's simple to get kids involved in gardening for your family. Most children will love the chance to get dirty, play in the water and most of all see something they did grow in front of them and be edible!
Fun Garden Projects for Kids
Encouraging children to explore the outdoors can be a fantastic learning experience, and gardening provides a perfect setting for this adventure. Here are a few simple and fun garden projects that your kids will love.
1. DIY Miniature Garden
Let your child's imagination run wild by creating a miniature garden. Choose a shallow container, fill it with soil, and add small plants, pebbles, and mini figurines to create a magical land. This project encourages creativity and a sense of ownership as children can maintain their miniature garden over time.
2. Painted Rocks
Painting rocks is a straightforward and engaging activity. Collect a variety of rocks from the garden and let the kids paint them using eco-friendly paints. Once dried, these painted rocks can be used to add a pop of color to your garden or become markers for planted seeds.
3. Seed Planting
Teach your child about the lifecycle of a plant by planting seeds. Choose fast-growing seeds, like sunflowers or beans, and let the kids plant them in small pots. The excitement of seeing their plants sprout and grow will be a lesson in patience and nurturing.
4. Homemade Bird Feeders
Creating a bird feeder is a wonderful way to attract wildlife to your garden. Kids can use simple materials like recycled plastic bottles or pine cones, string, and birdseed to make their bird feeders. Not only is this a fun craft project, but it also provides an opportunity to observe birds and learn about different species.
5. Bug Hotel
A bug hotel can be a fascinating project for kids who love insects. Use old wooden pallets or stacked logs, and fill in the gaps with straw, bark, and other bug-friendly materials. Your mini-beast hotel will attract a variety of insects, providing a natural way for kids to learn about these creatures.
These garden projects are perfect to get your children excited about nature and the outdoors. Plus, they'll learn valuable lessons about the environment, responsibility, and the satisfaction of creating something with their own two hands. So why wait? Get your kids started on these projects today, and watch their love for gardening grow!
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