How to Involve Kids in the Garden

Kids are spending more and more time indoors and on digital devices than in the past. I see it every day in my own patients. As a result, kids in general are not spending nearly enough time outside as they used to. Involving kids in the garden is one of many ways to get them outside and caring for their environment. Plus, the more involved kids are in the natural world, the more likely they are to continue to care for the environment as they get older. 

There are so many ways to involve kids in the garden and it is not nearly as hard as you think. You can do this whether you have a balcony garden, sunny window garden, backyard garden, or a farm. 

Doing so encourages them to develop their senses. Children can observe plants as they grow and mature, watching seeds as they sprout and flower buds as they form. They can watch to see what new insects appear or if any wildlife have found new treats. They can listen to the sound of buzzing bees, the chirping of birds, and the rustling of the leaves. They can smell the different flowers that bloom, the fruit that form, and the vegetables that mature. They can dig their hands in the soil and splash in the water. And of course, they can taste the fruit and vegetables that you have grown. 

It also does not take much to include them. Children are naturally curious and being in the garden helps foster their curiosity and promotes wonder. Here are some things that you can do to involve your kids in the garden.

Involve them in everyday garden tasks.

Young kids often like to mimic what their grown ups are doing. Involve them in regular garden tasks like watering, planting, and harvesting. Encourage them to check the soil and see if a plant needs water. Let them fill their bucket. Give them a bowl or basket to harvest. Let them eat straight off the plant. For picky eaters, eating straight off the plant might even encourage them to try something new that they might not be willing to try if it is prepared on a plate.

Give them garden tools.

Giving kids their own kid size tools allows them to take ownership of their garden projects. It helps develop their fine motor skills to learn how to dig in the dirt or pour out of a watering can. And since children learn by mirroring what they see around them, giving them their own tools like their grown ups allows them to see that they are doing important work as well.

Allow them to get messy.

Even for grown ups, being in the garden can leave you muddy, dusty, and sweaty. The same goes for kids. They love playing in the dirt. If they are done or not interested in the tasks you have given them, let them entertain themselves. The messiness is what allows them to learn and be creative. Don’t be surprised if you find yourself having to do wardrobe changes for them frequently or needing to wash their muddy shoes again and again.

Let them grow their own garden.

Set up a small bed for them or give them a few pots for their own plants. Pick some fast growing plants and let them tend to it from seed to maturity. Learn with them to see when plants need extra food or water. Encourage them to take responsibility for their space. Let them make mistakes and allow them to learn from it. 

For both children and adults, being outside is good for both their mental and physical health. In a society where we are constantly overstimulated, being in the garden can help by connecting with nature, becoming more in tune with the present, and focusing directly on what our senses are picking up. Maintaining a garden gets us moving, harvesting, picking weeds, laying mulch, and pruning among other things. It gets folks off the couch and on their feet.

Give yourself grace.

As with all things kid related, sometimes, gardening with them may not go according to plan. Being a parent takes patiences as does being a gardener. You may have a whole list of tasks to complete but your little one has decided that they’re done with outside play for the day. That’s okay. You may have created and started a beautiful kids garden space only to have them not be interested, leaving you to do all the work. That’s okay. You may not even have started on your project list and your little one has decided that now is the time to throw a class 5 tantrum. That’s okay. The act of intentionally involving them outdoors is a good starting point.

What are some other ways you get your kids in the garden? What fun garden projects have you started with your kids? Comment to let me know.