Posted: June 30, 2022
Allowing children time and space to help in the garden, whether it’s a flower bed, a veggie garden or a few containers can be fun and educational. Try to keep it simple!
Deb Damaska
Have fun!
- Let the kids help pick the seeds or starts from a local nursery
- Fun (and easy) plants for kids include: peas, multi-colored carrots, green beans, sunflowers, zinnias, strawberries, hollyhocks, cucumbers, and pumpkins.
- Paint rocks for plant/row labels
- Grow in interesting patterns or designs
- Build trellis for climbing plants or plant a "sunflower house"
- Make a fairy garden
Get Dirty!
- Dig for and count worms
- Make mud pies/have a mud fight
- Build a dirt race track for toy cars and trucks ***this provides hours of entertainment
- Make letters in the dirt
Get Wet!
- Put the kids in charge of the hose, watering cans or buckets
- Most plants will tolerate a bit of overzealous watering
- Make a puddle and watch it dry
- Splash in puddles
Relax!
- Once the "work" is done, take time to enjoy your space together
- Have a snack or picnic
- Read books
- Color
- Play a game
- Blow bubbles
Benefits of Gardening with Kids
- Sense of Responsibility/Purpose
- Witness Miracles
- Hard Work/Determination
- Respect for Growers/Environment
- Team Building
- Exercise
- Improved Mood/Focus
- Self Esteem
- Promote Healthy Eating
- Strengthen Immunity
- Imaginative
- Encourage Question Asking and Discussions
- Family Time
~ by Jamie Wieder, Lycoming County Master Gardener
