Summer vacation is just around the corner. In fact, for some of you it may already be here! While the warm weather and outdoor activities are all things to look forward to, you can’t forget that getting the kids involved is just as important as enjoying yourself.
And if you want to get your kids outside and involved with nature this summer, you’ve come to the right place. Here are three excellent gardening activities to get your kids interested in the great outdoors this year, even if they never get further than the backyard!
Living Letters
Helping your kids learn their letters has never been more fun. If you want to bring spelling, nature, and fun all together, this is the project for you. Here’s what you’ll need:
- Letter-shaped succulent planter of your choice
- Assortment of succulents and moss
- Wooden spoon
Once you have your shaped succulent planter and the succulents you’d like to put into it, the rest is simple! Peel apart your succulents to reveal smaller rooted sections and remove as much dirt as possible. With your wooden spoon, gently poke holes into the moss of your planter and place the succulent pieces inside. Once you’ve done that, simply pat down the moss to make sure all of your plants are secure… and voila! You’ve got a cute planter that your kids will love.
Painted Plant Markers
Who doesn’t love a good painting project? And with this one, you can even get a history lesson in. First, take some good sized rocks and paint the labels on them. Whether your child wants to paint a picture of each flower or simply the name is up to them.
Now, for the history lesson. Before you make your labels, do some research on the history of each plant. For example, did you know that although tulips have a lifespan of three to seven days, they were once more valuable than gold in 17th century Holland? Little facts sprinkled through your art project could help your child learn about history and the plants they’re growing.
Soil Science
Every good garden requires a little bit of science, but that doesn’t mean it has to be a boring lesson. In fact, it can be an interactive one that involves preparing your soil for gardening!
Healthy soil typically contains 45% minerals, 25% water, 25% air, and 5% organic matter. Those numbers might not be entertaining for your child, but helping you till the soil will be. You can even make a game out of it! Who can find the most rocks in the soil? Are the rocks minerals or did they come from other rocks? These are a few ideas that can help get the creative juices flowing.
Creating a backyard garden is hard work, but your kids don’t need to know that. If they’re having fun, it will hardly seem like work at all.
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