Gardening Activities for Kids of All Ages: From Tots to Teenagers
In an inspiring article, Annalisa Pawlosky shares her journey of starting a garden when her children were just 6 and 2 years old. The article, part of the Beginner's Garden Podcast, emphasises that anyone, even a beginner, can grow a rewarding garden with the right guidance and involvement of their little helpers.
For the youngest gardeners aged 1-4, the garden can be a playground for digging and exploring while the adult works. At this age, children can learn about various garden life and plant and harvest crops like strawberries and beans. As they grow older, around ages 5-8, they can be given more responsibility, have their own raised beds, and be tasked with watering plants. At this age, children can plant larger seeds like beans, peas, and watermelon.
Elementary-aged kids, around 8-10 years old, can start doing more advanced garden work like digging furrows and weeding the garden. They can also plant smaller seeds like carrots and lettuce due to their developed fine motor skills. This age group can also help with transplanting vegetables like tomatoes and peppers.
Older kids aged 10 and up can harvest crops that require care, such as tomatoes, peppers, cucumbers, and squash. They can also plant smaller seeds like okra, corn, and beets. The author emphasises the importance of respecting the knowledge and understanding of older kids in the garden.
Participation in the garden by older kids should be valued for the learning, exploration, and enjoyment they bring, rather than just the end results. Older kids may show a decline in interest in the garden, but can still be engaged by adapting tasks to their natural interests, such as building raised beds or planting flowers.
The article also offers free garden guides to help beginners grow their own gardens. Subscribing to the newsletter provides access to a 7-day garden plan and periodic updates on relevant garden resources. The newsletter also provides access to a bank of free garden downloads.
The author concludes by stressing that older kids thrive when given more individual responsibility and space for personal creativity in the garden. The article discusses 15 age-based ideas for involving kids in the garden, making it a must-read for every gardening parent.
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