Lifestyle

8 Tips To Get Your Kids to Enjoy Home Gardening

When I was a kid, I always enjoyed spending time with my mother outside in our garden. That carried over to hanging out with my grandparents. This is something I wish to share with my grandchildren when they come over to visit. Dirt has always been a favorite for kids, so a home garden could be one fun hobby for you and your children. They will be delighted when you give them the chance to pick the plants they want to grow. Here are some ways to help you make your children become passionate about home gardening.

Choose the right plants

Kids will have a tendency to choose plants and flowers with bright colors, so be prepared to have a load of various plants. Try not to let them go overboard on the number of plants they’ll plant. Be cost-conscious! A great example is geraniums. Encourage them to beautify their garden with vines with colorful accents. 

kids gardening

Sunflowers are a popular plant for kids. They are one of the more popular plants around. They are noted as being a happy flower. Have you ever seen sunflowers and NOT immediately be happy?

kids gardening

Get the seeds started

Give your kids the flexibility to assist you by sharing seeds. After you’ve given them some pointers on how to begin, they can branch off and start their own garden by planting their own seeds. Of course, they will need some assistance, such as digging the holes, but they can backfill the holes with their hands.

Have them create a gardening journal

This will keep their excitement, as they’re writing down the progress their plants are making. Including photos in their journal is a great extra touch that will last a lifetime. The joy they will get watching their seeds turn to sprouts and then flowers will bring a smile to your face. Maybe someday they can show their kids their journals! This will be the perfect time to begin composting and your kids will learn so much and take pride that they are contributing to the success of their own garden.

Place their garden where they can see it

Kids will be more motivated to work on their garden if it’s in their eyesight. By checking your garden daily they’re apt to accompany you to check theirs. Look around your house for perfect containers that your kids can use to grow their plants.

They get to play in the dirt!

Kids and dirt go hand in hand! Giving them the excuse to play in the dirt by helping you dig holes for seeds or ground-ready plants is a win-win for you both! Get them some kid-friendly age-appropriate gardening tools to encourage engagement.

Their garden is theirs

Take pictures of your kids planting their garden. Take photos through various stages of plant growth. By giving them ownership, a garden will teach them responsibility and a sense of pride of accomplishment. A great idea to get them started is a tower garden, if space is limited.

They get to play with water

kids gardening

Do you know what else kids love? WATER! During the summer months, it can get hot in some parts of the country. Getting the kids out into the garden gives them the chance to cool off on a hot summer day. No water hoses! That could lead to trouble! A watering can is perfect. They can water their plants and themselves!

Be patient: They’re going to make mistakes!

We’re all human! We’ve made mistakes before. Letting kids learn from their mistakes in a garden builds their confidence to do it better next time. Give them full responsibility for their garden. If they make a mess, they make a mess. They should clean it up! When work allows, spend the time together with them in their garden, answering any questions they may have. If you’re not sure of the answer, look up their questions online!

Gardening with your kids can create a special bond that will grow every year, just like your gardens! Hopefully, they will spend time with their kids! Gardening with kids can be very educational for them. It’s this knowledge they’ll receive that can be passed on to their kids.

Do your kids have their own garden? If not, do they help you with your garden?

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Rog Willis

Husband, father to 3 kids, Papa to 2 grandkids. I love rock music (mostly), travel, and social media. I am currently a Manager at Dunkin Donuts so my wife Becky (previously owner of What U Talking Bout Willis) has been holding down my website for me. She has over 15 years experience online so I know you are in good hands.

37 thoughts on “8 Tips To Get Your Kids to Enjoy Home Gardening

  • Who doesn’t love to play in dirt, water and flowers?? Sunflowers are one of my favorites too!

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    • I’m really looking forward to having the kids up when our house is done so maybe we can plant a garden of their own!

      Reply
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  • Great tips, kids love learning new things and watching things grow. Getting them involved right from seed is something they love and can check daily to learn to nurture and watch as the seeds start to sprout

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    • Especially with the kids being home now, this is the perfect time to get them introduced into gardening!

      Reply
  • My children really love to garden. They get to help grandad in his normally and he’s cleared a space for them. They can’t wait until they can go back and see how their patch is doing.

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    • Oh, the memories they’ll have with their granddad! I’m sure they are getting excited to work with him in their garden!

      Reply
  • A gardening journal is a great idea and something I’d never thought of, my niece would love it. And nope, I’ve never seen a sunflower and not smiled, they just make me happy!

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    • I feel a journal gives kids a timeline on when to see certain milestones in the life of a plant. I do love sunflowers for that reason!

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  • We’re growing seedlings and having fun charting the growth of our sunflowers already! Gardening at home is a great activity for kids and you don’t even need a garden these days! A window box will do x

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    • That’s wonderful! The journaling really makes it a lot more fun! You are correct on not needing a garden!

      Reply
  • Gardening is a fantastic way for children to play and learn in the same time. There is so much excitement to watch and document how the seeds you’ve planted start to come out.

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    • I couldn’t agree more! I’ve never met a child who doesn’t love to play in the dirt, so, why not have them help in planting a garden? One of the best educational hobbies there is!

      Reply
  • Some fantastic tips! I am lucky that Jack enjoys gardening already because he helped my Dad when he was younger.

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    • That is so cool! I would like for all kids to get involved in gardening, whether as a hobby to beautify a spot at their house, or to produce food to eat.

      Reply
      • Gardening is a great learning experience for the whole family!

        Reply
  • A gardening journal is a wonderful idea! I think every child should learn gardening skills – they’re so important.

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    • The more they journal, the more knowledge they’ll have, and, they’ll be able to pass that information down to their kids!

      Reply
  • The kids have been enjoying the garden and planting plants. We have a wildlife area and have found a toad and a mouse in the garden so far

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    • That’s so awesome! I’m not sure if the mouse is a welcome guest, but you could research flowers that deter them!

      Reply
  • I think it’s such a good idea to get kids involved in the garden and to help them appreciate the time and effort which goes into making a garden look nice. As I’ve never had a garden for myself I need these skills as well as I move into a new house with a garden x

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    • I bet your house will look even more beautiful once you get them started! The kids will love helping out and learning together!

      Reply
  • There are some really great tips here. I n particular the ones about playing in the dirt and with water too haha x

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    • Kids, water, and dirt go hand-in-hand! That’s what baths and showers are for!

      Reply
  • I love gardening with my children and find that they motivate me to do more as they will help me dig out the earth and plant things in for me. This year we have started growing beans and sugarsnaps.

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    • I want to spend time with my grandkids gardening since my kids are all grown up. Sugar snap peas are one of my favorites!

      Reply
  • We have a small garden but the kids have a homemade mud kitchen which they just love to play with.

    Reply
  • Great tips, thanks for sharing!! My kids have recently started showing an interest in the garden so we have ordered them a little raised planter each so they can plant, dig and water to their hearts content. I cant wait to see what they grow.

    Reply
    • That’s so awesome! I’m sure they’ll love that, and to learn about their plants!

      Reply
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