Gardens are wonderful places for children. They are mainly a space to play in, but they are also, potentially, somewhere to learn. Kids like nothing more than to get their hands dirty. They love gardening projects, so they are a really good way to teach your children about nature and teach them how to take care of their surroundings. There are lots of garden-related projects you could do with your kids. Here are a few of my favorites.
Plant a tree
If your garden is big enough, why not plant a tree. You can buy all sorts from The Tree Center or similar companies that deliver to your area. Good suppliers will advise you on which variety to choose. They will take into account how much space you have, the condition of your soil and the typical climate in your area.
When it comes to trees it really is a good idea to listen to the advice these experts give you. It is the best way to ensure that you buy a tree that you and your children will be able to enjoy for the rest of your lives. If you are planning to plant more than one tree, e.g. one for each child, be sure to tell the nursery you buy from about those plans. This will enable them to recommend trees that can be accommodated in the space that you have available.
Create a soda bottle hanging garden
For families that do not have a lot of space or just have a balcony, creating a hanging garden using empty plastic bottles can work. It is really easy to do. Plus, you will be pleasantly surprised by the variety of plants you can grow this way. Just take a look at this post, and you will soon see what I mean.
Create a home for wildlife and insects
Kids find wildlife and insects fascinating. Therefore, they are bound to love any project that involves creating a home for them.
There are lots of options most of which are really easy to put together and inexpensive. For example, to make a butterfly feeder all you need is a glass jar, some string, a piece of sponge and some sugar water.
You can easily go online and find out how to make your garden friendlier for hedgehogs, or how to create a bug house. If you can, choose a project that involves animals or insects that you know your children like. This will help to keep them interested long after the building part of the project has been completed.
Once the habitat has been created you can help your kids to observe and, maybe, make a record of what is going on. This is a fantastic way to help your children to engage with nature and get used to learning by observation.
Grow some food
Even in a tiny garden, you can grow some fruits or vegetables. Children love the whole process of planting, watering, feeding, harvesting and cooking what they pick. This is a fantastic way to help your children to appreciate where their food comes from and learn how to be self-sufficient.
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