Nowadays, with TV screens, tablets, laptops and gaming systems galore, getting the kids to venture outdoors can be difficult. This is extremely unfortunate, as playtime outside promises a host of benefits from a good dose of Vitamin D to plenty of exercise and fresh air. In an effort to encourage children of all ages to spend more time with Mother Nature, here are a few wonderful gardening activities to enjoy together.
Sensory play
Sensory play is designed to stimulate a child’s senses. The great news is that there are plenty of sensory activities to engage in within the garden! From shoveling and digging in the dirt to picking and smelling those spring-fresh flowers, there is plenty of choice. Dress the kids (and yourself) in old clothes, and prepare to get messy and creative with as many natural elements as you can find.
Raking leaves
Raking outside is a great way in which to teach your kids how to help out with simple tasks at home. Plus, it allows them to work with their hands and enjoy the sensory experience that comes with colorful, crunchy leaves, particularly in the autumn months.
Pulling weeds
No matter how old a child gets, pulling out weeds never stops being entertaining. Landscape design experts at Greater Brisbane Gardens recommend that, as the kids age and become more interested, parents should be sure to use this opportunity to educate them about the reasons it is important to identify and remove weeds. This can provide them with a source of entertainment outdoors for when the weather’s good, and it may just encourage them to take up gardening as a hobby themselves. Of course, it’s worth remembering that weeds can sometimes be so numerous that they can’t all be picked by hand. If this is so, try using a battery weed eater to efficiently eliminate all of the weeds and make your lawn look really pleasant.
Harvesting goodies
Kids love to plant fruits and vegetables and watch them grow, and they love picking them even more! Take this activity even further by using the freshly picked produce to create something wholesome and tasty in the kitchen. It is a good chance to educate them on the benefits of eating fresh, raw food and how it nourishes the body and mind.
Build a sunflower house
Sunflowers tend to grow really tall relatively quickly. Create the ultimate spot for a memorable teddy bear picnic by ‘building’ a special sunflower house. Mark out a square in the garden and dig it up just enough to plant the seeds. Cover and water – just be sure to leave a sizeable gap for the ‘door’. Once the sunflowers begin to grow steadily over the course of the next few weeks, you can keep them sturdy by using bamboo stakes. Soon enough, the beautiful, yellow sunflowers will bloom, and the spectacular sunflower house will be ready for habitation!
Get crafty
How about letting those creative juices flow by crafting a fancy hanging basket? It is sure to look impressive but is actually very easy to make. All you’ll need is a ready-made wire basket, a handful of hay, a generous helping of potting mix and a selection of small, flowering annuals. Encourage your kids to water their creation and inspect it for growth every day. They will be in awe once their basket starts flowering and they have something pretty to show off to anyone who visits!
With all of the activities mentioned above, getting the kids outdoors for a few hours won’t be nearly as challenging as before. Take part in activities like these regularly, and they will become a habit for them before you know it!
