Cultivating Green Thumbs: How to Involve Kids in Gardening

Teaching your children about gardening is a great way to spend more time with them, and lets them experience nature first hand.

Through gardening activities, they will develop a sense of self sufficiency. They learn more about where their food comes from, and the patience it takes to grow them - these are valuable life lessons for the little ones indeed.

Here are a few tips that can make gardening not only educational, but also great fun for kids. 

Start simple 

Introduce little ones to gardening with plants that are resilient and low maintenance. Tomatoes, carrots and herbs like basil are excellent choices. These veggies are easy to manage and grow quickly, keeping kids engaged in their gardening chores. 

Planting the seeds for learning 

Planting from seed symbolizes the beginning of their gardening journey, and helps kids understand the life cycle of plants. Choose a space to dig holes and plant seeds, and let your children try themselves. The depth and spacing needed for planting is usually shown on the backs of seed packets. Digging and playing with soil is also a great way for developing their motor skills.

Create a dedicated space 

Allocate a specific space in the garden or a few pots for your kids' gardening projects. Give them ownership of their gardening by letting them choose what they want to grow, and tending to plants by themselves. This added responsibility will encourage them to dedicate time to caring for their plants, instilling a sense of commitment and duty. 

Explain the process 

Gardening activities are one of the best ways for kids to learn about nature. Show them how to plant seeds, water plants, tend to soil and remove weeds.

Demonstrate and use simple words to explain the basics of planting as you work together in the garden. Teaching by example with a  hands-on approach will help kids understand the important steps of the gardening process.

Engage their senses 

Encourage the little ones to fully explore the garden, and to engage their senses. Let them smell the flowers, touch the soil, and taste the veggies or herbs they've grown. This will help them build a connection to nature, making gardening an experience for the senses.

Preparing garden beds

Adding beds will make gardening more challenging and fun for the little ones. Involve them in the set up of garden beds from measuring to assembling. This will give them a new challenge and encourage them to spend more time in the garden. If you already have garden beds set up, let your kids help maintain them by watering or adding soil. 

Vego Garden has the perfect garden beds to introduce your kiddos to the world of gardening.

Fun gardening activities 

Make gardening enjoyable by turning tasks into fun and games. Once your children’s plants are growing well, keep gardening activities interesting by mixing it up and working with them. This will encourage them more because they get to spend private time with you. 

Offer the little ones a treat after working in the garden, as a reward for their hard work. This can be a snack with veggies straight from the garden when it’s harvest time.

Giving incentives will make children associate gardening with fun and happy memories. Additionally, celebrating success and milestones goes a long way and will boost their confidence. Whether it’s planting seeds or harvesting, give plenty of praise to motivate them. 

Gardening for learning 

Gardening is all about discovery, and learning through trial and error. During gardening sessions, teach your kids about plant life cycles, gardening techniques like mulching or composting, and how pollinators like bees and butterflies interact with plants. This will be invaluable knowledge that’s not available in any classroom. 

Create memories 

Finally, make gardening together a memorable experience by taking photos, celebrating progress, and sharing garden harvests with friends and family. Show your enthusiasm and involve kids in gardening tasks as much as you can. This will foster in your children a genuine love for gardening themselves. 

When faced with setbacks, remind kids that gardening is about experimenting and learning, and not perfection. Mistakes like misplaced plants or even bad harvests are normal and part of the journey.

By following these simple tips, you can create a rewarding and enriching gardening experience for kids. Besides teaching them about nature and responsibility, gardening also fosters a lasting appreciation for our environment and living things.