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In the lap of nature: Gardening with toddlers

Gardening with toddlers

The experience of gardening with your toddler is a priceless reward for you as well as the child. Involving your toddlers in gardening can be a way to persuade him/her to eat fruits and vegetables which they grow. Moreover, active participation in the garden will keep the children away from less productive activities like watching television.

Creating a kiddie garden

Before getting involved in gardening with your toddler it is very necessary that you make your garden kid-friendly. Make it safe and interesting for the child. If you are apprehensive that the child might damage the plants you have planted, reserve a patch of land or pots for the child where he/she can explore and grow plants of his / her desire.

Ready, steady and plant

Consult your kid when you choose plants for your garden. You should choose flowers, fruits and vegetables of bright colors as children are attracted more towards them. You can involve children of any age in the garden. They can plant, water or tweed the grasses. If you do not have space for making a garden you can involve children in growing plants in pots. You can consider growing the following flowers in the garden:

1. Sunflowers

Sunflowers are all time favorite of kids. Sunflower can be planted in the ground or in pots by the kids.

2. Forget-me-not

Forget-me-nots blooms into blue, white or pink flowers and looks very beautiful.

3. Lavender

Lavender flowers are of blue, white or pink colors. Apart from growing them you can involve your kids in making lavender bags.

4. Butterfly friendly flowers and plants

If your garden attracts butterflies, children will be enchanted by their beautiful colors. You can do so by planting plants which attract butterflies. These are Sweet Rocket (flowers of violet, purple and red color) and Butterfly Bush (tiny flowers of red, white, pink and purple in color).

Quick gardening tips

1. You can make some hiding places for the children. This can be done by making bamboo or sunflower kid sized house.

2. Children love sunflowers. But be cautious as bees also love them.

3. Make it a rule that children wash their hands every time after gardening.

Fun garden activities

In order to make gardening interesting for the kids you need to make it fun filled. These activities will tempt and lure your children to work in the garden. You can achieve this by following ways:

1. Garden crafts

Garden crafts serve two purposes. One is that they keep the kids attracted and interested in gardening and the other that they make the garden more beautiful and creative. Children are enticed by the fact that they get a special place in the garden where they can display their garden craft.

2. Painting Gnomes, pots and statues

Gnomes, statues can create a personalized environment in the garden. Children can be encouraged to paint the terracotta gnomes, pots and statues. These can then be placed in the garden.

3. Treasure hunt in the garden

Few things (garden treasure) can be kept in the garden and children can be asked to search for these things. Another version of this activity is that the children can be asked to collect anything which they feel, can be a part of their treasure. These can be autumn leaves, stones, twigs, flowers or feathers.

4. Cooking meals from food grown in the garden

This is an extremely inspiring activity for children. They harvest food which they have grown in the garden and then cook them for the meal.

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