Gardening is a wonderful pastime activity for adults and children of all ages. Whether you have toddlers or teenagers, getting them involved in the garden is a great way to spend some quality family time. Since it is relaxing, you can unwind after a busy week. And, of course, it’s a simple and fuss-free way to enjoy the outdoors and get in some movement. Yet, getting the children to be attentive might be more challenging than you think. After all, their attention spans tend to be rather short, meaning they can get bored of an activity rather quickly and want to move on to the next best thing right after.
But don’t let yourself become discouraged. It’s not impossible to get the children involved. In fact, it is easier than you think. Here are some ideas that you could use to get them to enjoy spending time in the garden.
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Responsibility
Children like to be treated like they can handle things independently, and they want you to know they can be reliable and helpful. There’s no better way to show them you know this than by giving them some responsibilities. If your children are old enough for it, they can have their area of the garden that they should maintain and manage on their own. Getting planters makes things easier, as the plants can be grown inside or on the balcony before moving to the garden.
You can also create an exciting feature in the garden, such as a pond in a pot. All you have to do is choose a spot and a container, add a layer of gravel or rocks, fill it with water and start planting aquatic greenery. As a general rule, you should use rainwater instead of tap water since the latter is more likely to contain chemicals. If your container isn’t watertight, you’ll have to add a piece of pond liner to keep everything in. Some plants you could add here are miniature water lilies, banewort, starwort and grass rush.
Herbs
Starting by planting herbs in your garden is the perfect thing for beginners. Since children will naturally not know anything about gardening, commencing with something easy will boost their confidence. If you’re new to it yourself, you’ll want to start off with something easier as well. Basil, oregano and thyme, some of the herbs most commonly used for cooking, are very simple to keep alive throughout the year. If you want something a little more challenging, try rosemary and sage.
Mint, cilantro and parsley are much simpler to maintain as well, compared to other plants you might grow in your garden. Ask your children to help harvest them when they’re ready. Later, when you use them for a dish, remind them that it was only with their help that you could cook the dish. They’ll feel an instant sense of accomplishment.
Flowers
While gardens serve a practical purpose by letting you get your homegrown fruit and veg, but they can also be a decorative feature. Use outdoor planters for flower beds since they make maintenance much easier. You don’t have to worry about the soil being moist at all times to stimulate healthy root growth that allows the plant to grow healthy and strong.
Growing flowers is an excellent way to teach patience. Although two or three months might not seem like a long time for an adult, it will feel like an eternity for a child. Remind them that it takes time to create something beautiful. To make things more engaging and give them something to look forward to, you can do something interesting such as choosing a colour theme. Some of the flowers that grow fastest are petunias, cosmoses, cornflowers, marigolds, morning glories and sweet peas. Forget-me-not and foxglove seeds can be scattered until September, and you can expect them to flower during the following spring or summer.
Your children can also learn about flower pressing to preserve some of the blooms they helped grow, as well as make crowns with real flowers.
Rockery
More formally referred to as rockwork, you can install this type of mini-garden in a corner of your yard. They are relatively low maintenance, so children will enjoy creating them, and they’re enjoyable all year round. Plants wither during the colder seasons, and that can be visually depressing for some. Choose a sunny, well-drained spot, remove the weeds and add a layer of mulch. Then, add your rocks.
Children will want to be involved in this part of the design, so allow them room to be creative. However, you must also remind them of the importance of always staying safe. Don’t let them carry rocks that are too heavy for them since the risk of injury is higher. Let your children be in charge of the plants you get in this miniature garden as well. The ones that are common in alpine areas will thrive in this environment. Some of the best options are rockfoils, succulents, and drought-resistant plants like lavender, stonecrops, salvia, yarrow, coneflowers, and lantanas.
New habitats
Children need things that will keep their attention for them to remain engaged in something. There is no better way to do this than to create an area for cool-looking plants such as tall bamboo or ferns. This can also serve as their retreat, and you might discover that they will soon start enjoying spending time out there more than indoors. Assembling a mini garden tunnel or den can also pique their interest. Ask your children to decide what they’d like to build, and then start creating arches and walls. There are even specialised kits that you can use.
But don’t do all the building yourself. Let them be involved as well. It can be a little frustrating in the beginning since they’ll most likely make mistakes, but it is also a lesson in perseverance. Most children love animals, so a wildlife habitat in your garden might be just what you need. A bee hotel, a sanctuary where the bees can take shelter from the weather, is exciting for your children and good for your garden and the environment due to the symbiotic relationship between nature and pollinators. The other options are a hedgehog house or even a small pond with frogs or toads.
If you want to get your children involved in gardening, you must be creative and consider what is more likely to keep them interested.
Luciana joined our team as a mum blogger in 2020. A dedicated mum to a lively daughter and a dog, Luna, Luciana brings authenticity and passion to every post. Her expertise in parenting and lifestyle topics offers practical, relatable advice for real-life situations.