Kids love to garden. They love to get their hands dirty and not get in trouble, they love to play in the sprinkler as they water plants and they love to spend time outside in the sunshine over the summer. As a parent, you can encourage their enjoyment of gardening and of plants by engaging them in fun gardening projects. There are many gardening projects that your children can participate in- both inside and out of doors. Here are some quick ideas to help your children to get planting.
1. Terrarium
Terrariums are indoor mini-biospheres that are housed within a plastic dome. The dome is about 1.5 feet in diameter and is transparent plastic, which lets the sunshine in and holds moisture from photosynthesis as well. To get started, look online for a terrarium. You will then need to purchase plants that will have a good balance with one another.
You may want to consult a gardening specialist to help you find the right plants. Once you have the plants and equipment, you and your children will need to monitor the growth of the plants to ensure that they are strong and healthy.
Your child can watch as small changes to the terrarium, such as decreased sunlight or less water, effect the growth of the plants. As such, this project will help your children understand and respect the cycle of life on the planet.
2. Potato roots
Nearly every cook who has ever left a potato out for too long knows that potatoes grow roots quickly and easily from buds. When you leave the potato out, whether in a glass of water or just out on the counter, roots will grow as long as you allow them.
Have your child plant a rooted potato outside in your garden. He or she can mark its location using popsicle sticks so that it does not get lost. After several months, the potato will start to grow into a plant. He or she will have to dig into the dirt to find the vegetable, but it will be fun once it is found and cleaned.
3. Pattern gardening
Pattern gardening means planting flowers and plants in a design based on color and size. Your children will need to investigate flower colors and petal styles when designing their pattern garden to ensure that they are selecting the right options. First, they will need to select a design. The simplest design will be a simple smiley face, which they can create with only two flower colors. As they get more advanced in their understanding of plants, they will be able to select various patterns with many flower colors.
Spend some time with your kids at the local library and gardening store. Allow them to wander around, choosing the plants that fit their design best. They will then need to plant their flowers in an arrangement in your garden. If they are beginning with seeds, then there is some guess work as to plant colors, so they might want to choose different types of plants instead of color.