Child's play: how to get your kids into gardening
With summer half-term just around the corner, and the weather set for a glorious heatwave, gardening could be the perfect activity to keep your kids occupied without having to spend much money.
But getting kids interested in gardening is often easier said than done. The Greenhouse People give the lowdown on how you can plant the seed and share your love of gardening with your children…
Think big, start small
If you’re trying to get your child or children into gardening, it’s important to start small to make sure their first experience is a positive one.
Don’t overwhelm them with anything that takes a great deal of care or a lot of time to grow. Easy flowers which they can grow from seed include sunflowers, marigolds or dandelions.
Naturally, make sure you keep an eye on them to avoid any disasters, but letting children take ownership of looking after their plant is a great way to teach personal responsibility and boost their confidence.
Nature’s playground
According to research, only 1 in 5 children have a “connection” with nature. So, it’s never been more important to start early and ignite a love of the great outdoors.
To get them inspired, why not plan a trip to one of the UK’s many beautiful gardens one weekend or during the school holidays?
From taking a leisurely stroll through the gardens which inspired Charles Darwin’s theory of evolution at Down House in Kent, exploring the exotic greenhouses of Kew Gardens or Edinburgh’s Royal Botanic Garden, to enjoying a natural play trail at Cliveden in Buckinghamshire, getting youngsters out and about is one of the best ways to introduce them to nature’s delights.
Don’t be afraid to make a mess
There’s no getting around it, children are messy. Gardening can be a great way to channel their messy instincts in a constructive way, from pulling up weeds to digging holes, it allows them to get their hands dirty…and it doesn’t matter!
Buying kids a set of child-friendly mini gardening tools can make them feel like a bona fide gardener, while also helping to develop their fine motor skills in the process.
Edible delights
As we all know, what we eat can have a major impact on our wellbeing, both for better and for worse.
With research finding that 90 percent of UK teenagers don’t eat enough vegetables, it’s important to establish good habits early.
Introducing your little one to gardening could help them to understand where their food comes from. Start with fruits and vegetables that are relatively easy to care for and require minimum upkeep like peas, radishes, carrots, lettuces and strawberries.
If you lack square meters, don’t fret. Try growing plants in containers if you have a small patio or balcony, or even window boxes failing that.
Keep things interesting
Children’s minds tend to wander, especially if they don’t find an activity interesting or stimulating, which could definitely be tricky to manage during lockdown.
So, make sure to offer positive reinforcements when they’re doing a good job in the garden. You can even make up games and reward them for completing little tasks, like watering the plants, picking fruit and tidying up after themselves.
