Fun with kids in the garden

You want to share your love for gardening with your kids. There are many benefits for all ages. Whether it’s teaching a little one to be gentle or an older one how to put plants into the ground or even teenagers about the importance of ph. levels of the soil, gardening reinforces responsibility, patience, and self-sufficiency. It may ultimately lead to what they want most in life: freedom. Give them their own bed and tools to start their garden and watch their imagination unfold!

If all else fails, the soil and sunshine alone have a way of restoring a sense of well-being and balance. A problem arises, however, when they are either not ready to help with what needs to be done or they love to help but then quickly run out of steam because they’re hot, bored, and would rather watch a movie instead. I can’t count how many times I’ve gotten all my children to use the bathroom, get their boots on, settle down enough to explain the project in the garden and finally get started only to hear that they’re hungry. This post is about how to keep them entertained and find fun in all they do while you can also enjoy your time in the garden.

Mud Trolls

If you have an unoccupied garden bed or just a hole in the ground filled with water, you can create delightful sculptures called Mud Trolls. I used a water table and allowed the kids to figure out how much water and dirt is needed to make the perfect mold. There may be moments of frustration that can be dealt with by joining them in their struggling and adjusting. Think out loud saying, “Oh mine is so soft. It has too much water.” Or “It’s so dry and cracking maybe I’ll try again.” Don’t forget to use nature around you to make each creation livelier. My oldest, aged 6, couldn’t wait to make more, whereas the younger ones (aged 4 and 5) just love squishing their fingers in the different textures. I found this idea among so many others in this book call forest school adventure from amazon

Mud Paint

Experiment with the pigments of nature or chalk, water, and mud to get the right thickness. I let my kids use it to paint the fence with their hands, which will wash off in the rain.

Scarecrows

You can use many things around your garden to make a Scarecrow. One year I tried my hand at using watermelons for the head, but it didn’t go so well. Some were not ripe enough and some were overripe. Just a cross with some sticks in the dirt will do. The kids’ creative gears will be set in motion. You can suggest decorating it with grass, sticks, rocks, and hats or gloves.

Kids love Flower Crowns

The hardiest flower for this craft is the Dandelion. Try to pick the flower as low to the ground as you can and weave along just like in the diagram. Feel free to add a variety of other flowers. This is a great activity to strengthen their focus and hand eye coordination.

Fairy Home

Anything can act as the base: a box, flowerpot, log, or the side of a tree. Let them use their imagination to make it home for a tiny fairy. Make steppingstones to a tiny door. Use leaves for window shutters.

Fortress

You can use twigs and rocks to make a border. Make a slanted shelter with sticks and leaves. Maybe include a tiny bon fire location or a rack to quickly grab their weapons in case fairies try to visit and infest the camp with cooties!

Rock Painting

Acrylic paint will do. Glow in the dark paint would be extra fun! You can use brushes or even toothpicks to add smaller or sharper details. Decorate the ground with mosaic rocks to enjoy every time they visit, or let them keep it in their room to remind them how much fun it can be in the garden. This set of markers from amazon is not traditional however less mess

Leaf or Bark Rubbing

All you need is paper, crayons, and a flat surface. Collect different leaves and place them down with their veins facing up. Place your paper on top and with a pealed crayon on its side rub your design. Kids can use their imagination to create works of art. You can also collect leaves or flowers and use a hammer to smash the pigment into your paper.

Edible plants

Teaching kids about edible plants raises awareness about sustainable agriculture and the importance of preserving the environment. It encourages curiosity and brings family together as they share what they learn. I recommend getting a reference book like this one Foraging with kids, however there are other kid friendly workbooks as well.

Nature Journaling and Labeling Plants

My oldest one loves to write down what they learn, projects and plans she wants to try, and unanswered questions she has. Journaling about the garden is a great opportunity to draw pictures, retain garden secrets, and have fun making labels for the plants they know.

And for the hunger…

Garden Picnic

Spread out a blanket and let the kids help serve the napkins and food. I’ve learned that after eating something in a different environment, they want to stay outside a little longer. Then just bring something along to carry it all in when you’re ready to go back inside. If you need some tips on out to get the kids moving and yourself back on a routine yourself I’ve covered that here

So, arm yourself with these ideas and go out knowing you have ways to make things fun. Let me know in the comments any other ideas you may have or what you would like to hear more about. Until next time, please subscribe!