Fun Garden Projects to Do With Your Kids
Spending time outside and connecting with nature has a ton of benefits for you and your family. You can improve mental health, mood, heart health, and much more. In todayβs screen-focused world, it can be difficult to remember to make time for the great outdoors. Thankfully, you and your kids can have a blast outdoors with just a few tips and tools. All you need is some gardening materials and a little outdoor space. Together, you can create some relaxing and blissful gardens whether you rent or buy.
Bee and Butterfly Garden
One of the best parts about nature is all the interesting animals we can see. Your kids will love having a front-row view of what nature has to offer in their own backyard. Many plants attract birds, bees, and butterflies, allowing your kids to learn about nature and how the ecosystem works in harmony.
If youβre renting, you can provide these plants in pots or planters for easy removal if you need to move out. If you own, you can plant flowers directly in the yard. You can choose what flowers you like, but to attract these critters, youβll need some pollinator-friendly ones. Select flowers that have pollen or nectar for the animals to enjoy and spread.
Bright, vivid colors can attract all pollinators. Bees need a flat, open flower to land on, while hummingbirds have a long beak and tongue to reach nectar in many types of flowers. Some examples of great pollinator-friendly flowers are black-eyed Susans, zinnias, lavender, honeysuckle, and snapdragons.
There is an endless list out there, so select the types that you and your kids like best. You can add bird and hummingbird feeders or butterfly-friendly decor to entice them even further.
Zen Garden
A Zen Garden is a type of traditional Japanese landscape that mimics the flow of water to promote meditation and mindfulness. While your kids may not know how to settle down for meditation just yet, itβs never too early to learn the value of peace and serenity.
Zen Gardens are also fun to create for anyone of any age. You can plant traditional Japanese flora to recreate the classic Zen Garden look with junipers, ornamental cherry trees, ornamental grasses, Japanese maples, and more.
Zen Gardens are known for their trademark raked sand or gravel look. Bulk materials like these are more affordable than most people may think. You can even get them delivered to your home! A quick online search directed me to affordable Zen Garden gravel delivery near me in no time.
Once youβve laid your sand or gravel, youβll need to take a rake and create a flow pattern. Kids will love doing this. Rake swirls around rocks, bushes, and trees to emulate the flow of a river. You can decorate it with water features, stones, and other sculptures. Add some furniture to relax and enjoy the power of meditation.
Edible Garden
Thereβs nothing quite like growing your own food to use in the kitchen. Your kids can taste new fruits, vegetables, and herbs that theyβve grown with your help! You can designate different
pots, planters, or flowerbeds for different foods or food groups. Teach your kids how to use trellises for heavier plants like tomatoes, when to tell if food is ripe for harvesting, and how to properly clean them before eating. Your kids will learn so much about the environment and sustainability while having a great time.
Playground or Treehouse
If you want some more kid-friendly options for your yard, you can combine the beauty of a flowering garden with a playhouse. Treehouses, playgrounds, or tire swings are a blast for kids. If you have a thick, sturdy tree in your yard, you can build or buy a treehouse to install. Surround the base with gardens to add some color and beauty to the structure.
Your kids can help you paint and decorate it. A playground is a fun alternative that is rental-friendly. You can build or buy a portable playground that you can disassemble when you move. While you donβt want your kids around any dangerous tools, they can help you choose placement, decorations, plants, and colors.
Sensory Garden
Kids can learn a lot about nature and biology when all of their senses are stimulated. Sensory gardens are perfect for this education. These gardens contain plants and natural elements that cater to all the senses (taste, touch, sight, smell, and sound).
Decorations and plants with varying textures that your kids can touch can be very appealing. Edible herbs and leaves can stimulate the sense of taste and are a fun opportunity for kids. Many flowers have unique, intriguing scents, like roses, magnolias, and hyacinths. Let your kids smell different flowers and plant the ones they like best.
Sensory gardens can also feature a lot of interesting sounds. You and your kids can pick out decorations like wind chimes, water features, or bamboo that create peaceful, soothing sounds, especially when the wind blows. A variety of colors and leaves can make the garden visually pleasing, too.
Fruit Orchard
Similar to an edible garden, a fruit orchard is not only a gorgeous addition to your outdoor space but can also provide delicious fruits for your kitchen. Kids will love selecting fruit trees they enjoy best and helping them grow and thrive. Teach them how to harvest fruits at the right time for a delicious treat. Youβll both enjoy finding recipes for your fruit harvests, as well! While trees thrive best planted in the ground, renters can still enjoy an orchard with large pots or planters.
Conclusion
Kids have the most fun when they are involved in decisions and design choices. No matter what you and your family decide to do with your yard, make sure your children feel important and loved. Supervise all gardening activities. Teach your kids how to handle gardening tools and equipment safely. With the right approaches and techniques, your kids can learn valuable gardening skills and environmental sustainability.