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Are you looking for the best ways to get your kids gardening? Gardening with kids is such a fun and great way to help them learn about food, nature, and healthy eating. Gardening also gets kids outdoors and active.
Today we are happy to share these helpful tips to get your kids gardening thanks to Zoe Ardito, a kindergarten teacher at North Park Elementary School.
Simple Steps To Get Kids Gardening
- Start small.
You don’t need a giant plot to get kids gardening. Pots and window boxes can be just as effective when it comes to teaching kids how to grow. Not sure where to start? Plant some herbs, or something they can add into a salad or make into their own salsa.
- Let them decide what to grow.
Growing favorite fruits and vegetables is a quick way to inspire garden interest. Pick one or two things that kids love to eat at home. If they’re excited to see it come to life, to eat it on their own or make something for their friends or teachers, it will help foster interest.
- Give kids their own plot.
From sowing seeds to harvesting the plants and every weed pulled in between, giving kids a section of garden to be in charge of on their own will instill a sense of ownership and independence.
- Opt for faster plants.
Any parent knows patience isn’t common in young kids. Pepper the garden with vegetables that are easy and will germinate quickly, like leafy greens, peas, radishes or cherry tomatoes, allowing them to reap the rewards of their hard work throughout the season.
- Get dirty.
The garden is the perfect place for kids to indulge in one of their favorite activities: playing in the dirt! Gardening is one time you can encourage your kids to indulge their need to play in the mud — as long as they clean up before they come inside.
- Make it a game.
Have a weeding contest, play “I see” with insects, create a garden scavenger hunt — make growing fun during these formative years and you’ll increase the odds of raising a life-long gardener (and a life-long vegetable-eater).
- Read all about it.
Lots of children’s books detail the process of growing plants, as well as our relationship to the Earth. My favorites include “Michael Recycle” by Ellie Patterson, “Ian and the Seed” by Delores Lowe Friedman, and “Planting a Rainbow” by Lois Ehlert.
We hope these ideas to get your kids gardening help you and your family enjoy more time outdoors spending time together. If you plant vegetables, you’ll also be blessed with delicious, healthy food that your kids will be excited to eat.
More Gardening Tips
You’ll find lots more gardening tips and advice in these other posts…
Part 1 – Planning your Containers and Space
Part 2 – Deciding what to Plant
Part 3 – Tools and Supplies You Need For Container Gardening
Part 4 – Keeping Your Container Gardening Pots Looking Their Best
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Teaching gardening is great for training patience in children, Very Good.
Yes, it is such a wonderful way to teach patience!