Gardening with kids at home can be frustrating, but it doesn’t have to be! First, let’s go into the garden with a plan of what you want to accomplish that day. Keep it simple and on task, plan for no more than 30 minutes. Usually I’ll break it up: 15 min of weeding, 10 min of planting and 5 min of watering. Longer goals can be accomplished with similar planning as well.
Lets make gardening with kids fun!
I usually dedicate a raised bed or space in the garden for the kids specifically. They can plant anything they want or they can use it just for digging and playing. Invest in some digging tools-buckets, small shovels, rakes, kid friendly scissors (who knew chopping up leaves, weeds or harvesting broccoli with scissors could be so entertaining?). These things only stay up at the garden so you can find them easily and it’s something for them to look forward to. While you’re at it, grab a few seed packets, animal figurines or monster trucks depending on your kiddos interest. I prefer purchasing metal rakes, shovels, buckets whenever possible because they withstand the sun and last a lot longer.
Family friendly garden design
Keep family garden design in mind, plant something they love, or at least something interesting. My kids love strawberries so we have an entire bed dedicated to them. We also planted fruit trees, pumpkins and blueberries. When the kids are invested in the plant’s potential they tend to be a lot more helpful.
If they aren’t interested in just playing in a “dig area”, here are some kid friendly garden ideas:
- Print up a scavenger hunt (there are lots available online)
- Grab a few dollar store seed sets to give to kiddos throughout the growing period
- Let them water with a hose, especially on a hot day!
- Give them the harvest bucket and a pair of kid friendly scissors
- Have them count unripe fruit or vegetables
- Send them on a worm hunt
- Have a wood fence or wood raised beds? “Paint it” with some water and a paint brush.
Set your kids up for success
Make sure you have on sunscreen, lightly covered with clothing or have a shady spot for yourself and your children. Have some ice water on hand and make sure that they aren’t hungry before you head into the garden. Taking care of a kiddos basic needs sets you up for success! When gardening with kids, start small and work your way up to the time you need in the garden. In the end,I think it’s important to remember that kids who are able to experience boredom, are then allowed to utilize creativity to fill the boredom.
Let me know in the comments what your favorite way is to include kids in the garden!
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