Seriously, is there anything kids enjoy more than playing in the dirt? They love it, and it’s fun to watch … until you have to clean them up of course.
But more and more it’s tough to get kids outside. Between video games and iPods and … cable, kids have less motivation to get outdoors.
That’s frightening. It’s also reality.
But we all know once you get the kids outside enjoying fresh air, they often don’t want to go back in. So it’s important to find activities to get them outside as much as possible during the spring and summer months. One of the healthiest and most educational ways to get them off the couch and outside is an age-old activity: Gardening.
Starting at a very young age, gardening is an activity everyone can enjoy and the benefits are tremendous.
- Gardening teaches science, math, nutrition and literacy.
- Gardening allows children practical learning, experimenting and sharing knowledge with others.
- Gardening teaches nurturing, patience, a sense of pride, introduces them to healthy food and even allows them to give back to their communities.
- According to some studies, children who get outside more often have lower levels of attention-deficit disorder and ADHD.
So if you’ve decided to start a garden with the youngsters in your life, take a look at some of these tips to get the ball rolling.
Find the right spot
First, where will your garden grow? Find a good spot that offers what children need. Keep in mind, ideally a kids’ garden has clear paths, edible plants and narrow beds so they can reach across.
Another idea is if you already have a garden or flowerbed set aside a small plot for your children to work with. And while it’s a great idea to instruct them and give them both knowledge and ideas, let them plant away on their own. If they don’t necessarily follow all the rules, shrug it off. Let them experiment and learn.
Find the right plants
Now that you have the right spot, choose plants that are easy, grow quick and are either fun to eat or watch grow. Keep it simple and choose hearty plants. If you’re not sure, check out the backs of seed packets or do some research online for the right soil, nutrients and the correct watering necessary.
Because children tend to enjoy planting what they can eat, try foods like carrots, beans, radishes, tomatoes and broccoli – vegetables especially are good because they germinate quickly. Mint, dill and four o’clock are also good because they smell so good.
Lamb’s ear, bunny tails and cotton are favorites because they are soft and fuzzy.
Get digging
You’ve got your plot and your plants picked out, so get your kids in some gardening clothes and sunscreen and get planting. Let the kids do as much of the planting, weeding, watering and picking as possible.
A few of child-sized tools of their own are a good idea to get them even more excited. And when it’s time to pick, give them their own baskets.
Safety tips
Obviously, with children you want to create an organic garden because any chemicals normally used might make them sick. Adults can usually handle residues from leaves and are alert enough not stick their fingers in their mouths, but children often can get sick from sprays or chemicals.
Also, keep any sharp or pointed tools out of the hands of smaller kids, or make sure they are keeping the pointed ends down and below the belly button.
Gardening is the perfect outdoor activity for young children and families. The lessons children learn reap some fantastic, and tasty, rewards.
And when it comes to your lawn, remember Snappy’s Outdoor Equipment offers mowers, hand tools, parts, maintenance, pickup, delivery and more. Call us today at 419-879-1196 or stop by at 2120 N. Dixie Highway, Lima, OH 45801.
