7 Easy Ways to Teach Kids About Nature Through Gardening

Gardening is a wonderful activity that can benefit both you and your children in many ways. It can help you relax, improve your health, save money, and beautify your home.

But more importantly, it can also teach your kids about nature and the environment, and foster their curiosity, creativity, and responsibility.

Here are seven simple ways to introduce your kids to the joys and wonders of gardening and nature.

Idea #1 – Start with easy plants

If you are new to gardening or have limited space, you can start with some easy plants that don’t require much care or maintenance.

For example, you can grow herbs like basil, mint, or parsley in pots or containers, or flowers like sunflowers, marigolds, or zinnias in a sunny spot.

These plants are fast-growing, colorful, and edible (except for zinnias), and can attract bees, butterflies, and birds to your garden.

Idea #2 – Let them choose their own plants

One way to get your kids interested in gardening is to let them choose their own plants to grow.

You can take them to a nursery or a garden center and let them pick out the seeds or seedlings that they like. You can also let them browse through catalogs or websites and order online.

Make sure to guide them on what plants are suitable for your climate and location, and how to care for them.

Idea #3 – Involve them in the planting process

Another way to engage your kids in gardening is to involve them in the planting process.

You can teach them how to prepare the soil, dig holes, sow seeds, transplant seedlings, water, mulch, and fertilize the plants. You can also explain to them the different parts of a plant and their functions, such as roots, stems, leaves, flowers, fruits, and seeds.

You can also show them how to use tools like shovels, trowels, rakes, hoses, and watering cans safely and properly.

Idea #4 – Create a theme garden

A theme garden is a fun and creative way to teach your kids about nature and gardening.

You can choose a theme based on their interests or hobbies, such as a fairy garden, a dinosaur garden, a pizza garden, or a butterfly garden. You can then select plants that match the theme, such as ferns, mosses, succulents, tomatoes, basil, oregano, or milkweed.

You can also add some decorations or accessories to make the garden more attractive and interactive.

Idea #5 – Encourage them to observe and record

Gardening is not only about planting and harvesting; it is also about observing and learning from nature. You can encourage your kids to observe and record the changes and growth of their plants over time.

You can also help them identify the different animals and insects that visit their garden, such as worms, snails, spiders, ants, bees, butterflies, birds, and squirrels.

You can provide them with tools like magnifying glasses, binoculars, cameras, notebooks, or journals to document their observations.

Idea #6 – Make it fun and educational

Gardening can be a fun and educational experience for your kids if you make it so. You can play games with them in the garden, such as scavenger hunts, I spy, or bingo.

You can also do some experiments with them, such as testing the pH of the soil, comparing the growth of different plants, or making compost.

You can also read books with them about gardening, nature, or plants, such as The Tiny Seed by Eric Carle, The Secret Garden by Frances Hodgson Burnett, or Planting a Rainbow by Lois Ehlert.

Idea #7 – Celebrate their achievements

Finally, you can celebrate your kids’ achievements in gardening by praising their efforts, rewarding their results, or sharing their produce. You can compliment their plants’ beauty, health, or yield. You can give them stickers, certificates, or badges for completing tasks or challenges.

You can also cook or bake with their harvest, make crafts or gifts with their flowers, or donate their surplus to a food bank or a neighbor.
By celebrating their achievements, you can boost their confidence, motivation, and pride in gardening.

Teaching Your Kids About Nature Though Gardening is Beneficial

Gardening is a great way to teach your kids about nature and the environment. It can also help them develop skills like:

• patience
• perseverance
• creativity
• responsibility
• survival
• ecology
• bio diversity

By following these seven simple ways, you can make gardening a fun and rewarding activity for you and your children.

FAQs About Teaching Kids About Nature Via Gardening

Here are some FAQs about teaching kids about nature through gardening:

Why is gardening a good way to teach kids about nature?

Gardening is a hands-on way to introduce children to the natural world around them. It allows them to see the lifecycle of plants up close, learn about the different types of soil, and understand the importance of water and sunlight for plant growth. Gardening also teaches kids about responsibility and patience as they care for their plants over time.

What are some easy plants to grow with kids?

Some easy plants to grow with kids include sunflowers, tomatoes, beans, peas, lettuce, and herbs like basil and mint. These plants tend to be relatively easy to care for and grow quickly, giving children a sense of accomplishment as they see their plants thrive.

How can I make gardening fun for my kids?

There are a lot of ways to make gardening fun for kids! You can let them choose their own plants to grow, give them child-sized gardening tools, and create a scavenger hunt for them to find different types of plants and insects in the garden. You can also turn gardening into a sensory experience by encouraging children to touch and smell different plants and soil types.

What are some benefits of gardening for children?

Gardening has many benefits for children. It can help them develop fine motor skills, increase their physical activity levels, and provide a sense of accomplishment as they watch their plants grow. Gardening can also help children develop a sense of responsibility as they care for their plants, and can improve their understanding of science and the natural world.

How can I teach my kids about composting?

Composting is a great way to teach kids about the importance of recycling and reducing waste. You can teach them about what types of materials can be composted (such as fruit and vegetable scraps, eggshells, and coffee grounds) and how to layer them in a compost bin. You can also teach them about the different types of organisms that help break down compost, such as worms and bacteria.

Can I start a garden indoors with my kids?

Yes! Indoor gardening is a great option for families who don’t have access to outdoor space or live in areas with harsh weather conditions. You can grow herbs, microgreens, and even some types of vegetables indoors with the right lighting and soil conditions. This can be a great way to teach children about the importance of light and water for plant growth, as well as the science behind photosynthesis.

How can I incorporate art into gardening with my kids?

There are many ways to incorporate art into gardening with kids. You can encourage them to draw or paint pictures of their plants, create garden markers using paint or clay, or even make leaf rubbings using fallen leaves. You can also encourage children to create garden-themed crafts, such as making bird feeders or painting rocks to decorate the garden.

Suggested Reading: How Much Space Does a Garden Need?