Encourage Children to Step Outside
In this day and age with electricity taken for granted many children choose media as a form of entertainment; whether it’s YouTube, Facebook or gaming online it all burns energy while frazzling brain cells too.
Here are some ideas for how to encourage children into the garden and away from the computer, so they can enjoy some fresh air and you can enjoy a greener, leaner home.
Hand over the Reins
Children of ages 6 and up will be more likely to step outside if they feel as though they are in complete control. This includes in the garden. Try creating a vegetable patch just for them and allow them to plant whatever they please (even if you’re not too sure). Initially they may be impatient waiting for their produce to grow but they can enjoy other jobs while they wait such as:
Making Homemade Scarecrows
Old CDs on sticks provide great deterrents for birds so crops stay safe. If your child is creative they may love to make their own scarecrow too. Most villages also have an annual scarecrow display now so they can receive a little attention for their efforts.
We gardeners don’t mind a bit of dirt but children love it. They will especially love making compost. To feed their short attention spans introduce them with the hot composting method that allows it to be ready quite quickly. They can even paint their compost bin!
Introduce Wildlife
Once you introduce wildlife to the garden children young and old will be drawn into it. Ideally, you could add a few chicks or ducklings as these will feel like pets and children will love feeding them and holding them.
Even a hutch with a guinea pig can tempt a child outside however if you don’t relish the responsibility you can use the wildlife you have for instance:
A Wormery
Small children especially love digging for worms and watching how they burrow in a wormery!
An Ant Farm
Collecting ants maybe your job but children will love watching how they work.
Wild Birds
You can make fat balls and treats for the wild birds and watch the different varieties that come to your garden for breakfast and dinner.
Those children who love the virtual world may put up a little resistance however once they’ve caught the gardening bug they won’t look back- as you know!
Making Compost