When a child learns where their food comes from, their world becomes so much bigger all of a sudden; tomatoes, carrots, and cucumbers all come from just tiny seeds! At Mr Fothergill’s, we know just how magical it can be when children discover the wonders of gardening. Here are our top ten reasons to get your little ones gardening, as well as our essential tips for how to start a garden with kids!
Our Top 10 Reasons to Get Your Kids Gardening
Over the years, we’ve come to find that there are many more than just ten benefits of gardening with children. If you’re considering getting your little ones into the garden, the following are some of the biggest reasons we hope will encourage you to pull on their little gloves and get planting!
#1: Supporting Physical Health
Gardening helps children get outdoors and be active in nature. With the ever-increasing reliance on smartphones, tablets, and computers, gardening provides much-needed physical activity. It can hone motor skills for younger children as they learn to handle small items like watering cans and dibbers, and studies show that playing in dirt can improve a child's immune system.
#2: Caring for Mental Health
Gardening is therapeutic and stimulating for the brain. Children learn how to problem-solve, work in teams, and express their creativity through garden design. It also provides a sense of accomplishment when they see the results of their efforts.
#3: Teaching Responsibility
Much like owning a pet, gardening is an opportunity for children to learn responsibility. Tending to plants is less daunting than caring for an animal, and gardening provides the bonus of a beautiful flower or a delicious crop at the end.
#4: Building Healthy Habits
Children who grow their own food are connected to the plants they nurture. This means they are more likely to enjoy eating a larger variety of fresh foods, promoting healthier eating habits at a young age, which has been proven to carry on into adulthood, resulting in a healthier lifestyle.
#5: Appreciating Nature
With packaged foods contributing to plastic pollution, gardening is a productive solution for children to enjoy food that requires no packaging while learning about nature in a safe place. Creating a worm farm or compost heap using food waste is another way to introduce children to the concept of bettering the planet through sustainable practices.
#6: Educational Opportunities
Children have an innate curiosity about the world around them. Gardening fosters this and grants them opportunities to learn. Observational skills are harnessed as they witness how plants grow in different conditions, and they can learn to identify the insects that plants attract. Planting a kids’ butterfly mix, for example, can help them understand why these wonderful creatures are such important pollinators.
#7: Social Development
Gardening can provide children with a space to share their experiences with each other. Gardening clubs allow children to learn tips and tricks as well as socialise with others. Achieving something like turning a kids’ all-in-one kit into a garden of beautiful flowers can also boost a child’s confidence.
#8: Organisational Skills
Gardening can teach children organisational skills such as crop succession and seasonal planting that will help them in other aspects of life, such as school and social commitments.
#9: Quality Family Time
Children enjoy quality time spent with family, and gardening provides the perfect opportunity. Teaching your children how to grow plants allows you to create memories for life, and a healthy bond with your children will bolster positive development and good communication skills.
#10: Having Fun!
Gardening is an activity that will keep some children occupied for hours. From setting up a mini greenhouse kit to harvesting their first vegetables, the garden is always changing with the seasons, always offering something fun for children to do.
Into the Garden: How to Garden With Kids
Convinced of the benefits of gardening with children? We knew you would be, and that’s why we’ve put together a short guide on how to start a garden with kids alongside some of our top child-friendly garden ideas.
How To Start a Garden With Kids
Ready to introduce your little ones to the world of gardening? Here’s our super-simple guide to get you started:
- Step 1: Find a sunny spot in the garden. Whether you’re using a pot or directly sowing into a patch, pick somewhere that gets plenty of sun throughout the day.
- Step 2: Pick up some kid-friendly gardening gear that’s the perfect size for their little hands.
- Step 3: Prepare your soil by clearing away any debris or adding some compost.
- Step 4: Pick out your little one’s favourite fruit or vegetable seeds.
- Step 5: Start planting!
Our Favourite Child-Friendly Garden Ideas
For little ones looking to have some green-fingered fun, here are our top gardening ideas for you and your children to dive into!
Super Fast, Super Fun Veggies
It’s no secret that little ones like things to happen quickly, so put a smile on their face with some veggies that grow fast and put the wonders of gardening on full display. Seeds like peas and carrots grow relatively quickly, and radishes and lettuce can grow in a matter of weeks.
Big and Beautiful Flowers
Sowing sunflower seeds is certain to impress your little ones as this flower sprouts up and over their heads, and Nasturtium seeds are a great option for showing them how colourful gardens can be.
Throw a Pizza Party
If your kids love digging into a pizza, why not grow your own toppings? Make your next pizza party special by growing your own basil, oregano, and tomatoes!
Get Your Kids Gardening With Mr Fothergill’s
Gardening isn’t just about growing beautiful plants. It’s also about making lifelong memories with your little ones, and we love helping families grow closer together while getting their hands dirty! If you’re ready to introduce your kids to this wonderful hobby, check out our kids gardening range. If you want to learn more about our gardening products, feel free to contact us.
