Gardening is a beneficial pastime for everyone since it allows you to keep active while spending time outside. Although most gardeners are adults, research have shown that gardening may be quite helpful to children as well. School gardening has been related to higher science performance among youngsters, according to a study. Meanwhile, another research involving Texas schoolchildren found that youngsters who raised produce preferred veggies as snacks. Making your outdoor environment more kid-friendly should be a focus if you want to encourage your youngster to spend more time digging or planting in your garden. Here are some simple methods to make your garden more interesting and safe for children.
The Right Plants Are Important
Allowing your kid to grow vegetables and fruits in your garden educates them about the origins of food and makes them more ready to try new foods. However, certain plants, such as cauliflower, celery, and eggplant, may be difficult to cultivate, so selecting the proper plants is critical if you want your child to spend more time gardening. Choose plants that are simple to cultivate and enjoyable to harvest and eat, such as strawberries, carrots, tomatoes, and bell peppers.
If your kid has a tendency of munching on freshly gathered fruits and vegetables directly from the garden, make sure there is a nearby faucet or a clean pail of water where they can quickly clean them. Meanwhile, if your kid enjoys growing fragrant plants, offer them a couple pots in which to cultivate lavender, jasmine, or scented geraniums. These plants flourish in gardens, but they also thrive when brought inside.
Provide a location where they may rest and play.
While in the garden, your youngster should have a cool and shaded space to relax or play. A patio would be nice, but if you don’t have one, a location beneath a tree would suffice. Space some fake grass or playground turf on the selected location to create a clean and dry place for your youngster to sit or lie down, then cover with a small tarp tent or a pop up tent. Place a small cart near the tent and load it with snacks and beverages, as well as kid-friendly sunscreen, bug repellent, and anything else you think your child may need while they’re outside.
Garden Childproofing
Children are naturally inquisitive, so it’s a good idea to childproof your outside environment to keep them safe while gardening. Grow only safe and non-toxic plants, and keep any sharp instruments, equipment, and chemical fertilizers locked up or out of reach of children. You may also want to offer your kid their own gardening equipment since adult-sized gardening tools may be awkward and dangerous for little hands. The Storybook Kids Explorers Club Kids Gardening Tools, which comes with three tools in a tote bag, gloves, and a watering can, is one of the finest. Meanwhile, the Born Toys Kids Gardening Set includes tools, a hat, gloves, a pocketed apron, and a spray bottle. Finally, to save your kid from being bitten while gardening or playing, try planting plants that naturally repel mosquitoes and other pests, such as citronella, peppermint, and marigolds.
Gardening is a recreational activity that may enhance both a child’s physical and mental health. Consider these ways to make your garden kid-friendly so your child can spend more time outside planting and picking their favorite vegetables, fruits, and flowers.