As we head into the warmer months and the weather gradually improves, you’ll most likely be trying to think of ways to get your kids away from their screens and out of the house. What’s more, entertaining the kids through the school holidays can be challenging and expensive. So, by showing them the fun that can be had in your own outdoor space and making gardening a fun pastime, you could save yourself the stress of having to spend money to keep your children occupied.
Gardening with children can be a rewarding and educational experience for all, exploring the wonders that nature has to offer. You could encourage your children to embrace their creative side, by transforming your outdoor space with plants and arts and crafts. Gardening is a fun activity and to prove it, this article will reveal all of the exciting things that your kids could be getting up to in the garden.
Let them be involved in the planting
One way to give your children some responsibility and a creative role in your garden is by letting them grow some plants of their own. Why not let them choose some seeds, incorporating some fun colours into your outdoor space to brighten it up. You could also get them some small gardening tools of their own, so that they feel like a real gardening expert.
If you have enough space, you could even consider planting some vegetables in your garden, to teach your children about where their food comes from. Planting vegetables could help to encourage your children to eat their own healthy produce. Some vegetables that are easy to grow include courgettes, carrots and tomatoes, but try to incorporate some vegetables that they enjoy, that don’t take too long to grow!
Mushrooms are also easy to grow at home. You can start growing them indoors by getting a grow-your-own kit for blue oyster mushrooms. Easy-to-grow oyster mushrooms are an excellent choice for beginners, including your kids, who can take turns in watering the kit and harvesting the fruits of their labor. Growing mushrooms is fascinating, and it wouldn’t be surprising if the children want them in your backyard garden soon.
Allow them to play in the dirt
There’s a time and place to be prim and proper, and this shouldn’t apply to the garden. The garden should be a safe space for your child to have some pure, messy fun. If you have a landscaped garden, why not assign your children a small patch where they can play in the dirt, find creepy crawlies and fully explore their surroundings.
Touch is such an essential part of a child’s development, so immersive play is a vital aspect of their learning. Encourage curiosity and invite them to ask questions about the things that they find whilst they’re playing in the dirt. Remember, clothes can be washed and nails can be scrubbed, so let your little ones get messy and enjoy their natural surroundings.
Get artsy!
You’ve filled your garden with plants and the sun is shining, so why not bring out the arts and crafts so that your child can create their own creative interpretation of the garden. They could use finger paints to make a flowery masterpiece, or create some DIY plant pots out of some old wellies! The possibilities are endless with a bit of imagination and there’s plenty of things outdoors to inspire your little one to create their own artwork.