Gardening with kids can have a range of benefits, including encouraging a love of nature in children, developing their motor skills, and providing a fun and engaging way to learn about the environment. In this article, we will explore the benefits of gardening with kids and provide some tips and tricks for getting started.

Benefits of gardening with kids

Stimulating all five senses

Gardening encourages children to stimulate all five senses, including feeling the texture of the soil and petals, smelling the scents of flowers and herbs, and hearing the sound of insects buzzing around [1]. This multisensory experience can help children develop a deeper appreciation for nature.

Healthy and inexpensive activity

Gardening is a healthy and inexpensive way for children to learn and have fun at home, school, or the allotment. Research suggests that children who are involved with gardening perform better at school and develop a greater interest in healthy eating if they get to grow their own vegetables [2].

Planning and design skills

Gardening involves planning and design skills. Top garden designers spend time planning their work on their computers, and it can be the same for children. Parents and older children can explore the web to plan their gardens and make their own designs [3].

Nature crafts and projects

Nature crafts and projects make perfect garden projects for kids. Children can collect fallen nature items while out on a walk, or from around the garden. Leaves, flowers, feathers, seed pods, and twigs all work well. Making a nature garland is an easy way to turn nature treasure into a unique garden decoration [4].

Enchanted garden

Children can create an enchanted garden at the base of a tree or in a hollow in the ground. Kids will love collecting stones for paths and twigs for fences, and you could add ferns and other small plants around the trunk [6].

Gardening clubs and communities

Gardening clubs and communities, such as Gardening with Children, are becoming a worldwide clubs as schools join from all over the globe. It is all very exciting! Gardening with Children has been developed to encourage schools to communicate with each other by submitting news and pictures to the site [7].

Tips for gardening with kids

Start small

When starting out with gardening, it’s important to start small. Choose a small area or a few pots and keep it simple. This way, children can see the results of their efforts more quickly, and they won’t be overwhelmed by the size of the task.

Choose easy-to-grow plants

Choose easy-to-grow plants that will quickly produce visible results, such as sunflowers, beans, or cherry tomatoes. These plants are also hardy and can withstand a bit of rough handling.

Involve children in the planning process

Involve children in the planning process and ask for their input on what they would like to grow. This way, they can take ownership of the project and feel more invested in the outcome.

Provide child-sized tools

Provide child-sized tools that are easy to handle and safe to use. This will help children feel more independent and in control of their gardening tasks.

Make it fun and interactive

Make gardening fun and interactive by incorporating games, challenges, and scavenger hunts. This will help keep children engaged and interested in the project.

Encourage exploration and discovery

Encourage exploration and discovery by allowing children to investigate the plants and soil. This can help foster a sense of curiosity and wonder about the natural world.

Emphasize the importance of care and responsibility

Emphasize the importance of care and responsibility by teaching children about the needs of plants and how to care for them. This can help instil a sense of responsibility and respect for the natural world.

Conclusion

Gardening with kids can be a fun and rewarding activity that encourages a love of nature in children. By providing a multisensory experience, teaching planning and design skills, and fostering a sense of care and responsibility, gardening can help children develop a deeper appreciation for the natural world. With a few simple tips and tricks, you can get started on your own gardening adventure with your children.