Green thumb grandkids

14 Dec 2016

Kids love to play in dirt, explore new areas and learn new things. So why not share your passion for gardening with them?

Prince Charles’s Highgrove garden is designed for children, and he has spoken openly and often about how he is encouraging his grandson, Prince George, to garden with him. Well if royalty can do it, why can’t you?

Gardening is a wonderful activity to get children involved in. Not only will they be enjoying the outdoors, they’ll also be learning about nature and growth. Best of all though, it’s something you can do together.

The great benefits

Studies have shown that gardening is a great education for children.

Kids will learn how to appreciate nature, understand the growth cycle and respect creatures big and small. Gardening can also teach them responsibility and patience as they can take ownership of their very own plants or garden.

Getting the kids in the garden not only entices them away from the television and computer, but it’s also great exercise – bending, stretching and walking. It can also prove to be a way of relieving stress, shifting their attention off what is troubling them as they focus on a project.

Choosing the perfect plants

Remember, children can get antsy and lose interest quickly, which you may want to consider when selecting the plants, flowers or vegetables that you would like to grow together.

You can either choose the plants that will grow the quickest and give the fastest satisfaction, or you can let your grandchildren choose the plants they want to nurture. Alternatively, you can do a combination of both.

Education is key

Gardening is also a wonderful way to have fun while learning a thing or two. Your job as the grandparent and the seasoned gardener is to help the kids understand the process, from planting through to watering and growth. Depending on their ages, you can even talk to them about nutrients and soil. The best way to educate is to show them how it’s done and let their hands get dirty.

It’s also important to give them ownership of their plants. For the little ones, you can even help them pick out names for their trees or plants to make it more personal for them. Then, each time they come around, you can talk to them about their own creations.

Enjoy it

Remember, while gardening is educational and great to get the kids outdoors, it’s also about spending time with your precious grandchildren. The little kids will love to imitate you, so consider getting them some child-friendly tools that look like yours, too.