Whether it’s children or grandchildren, nieces, nephews, or other little ones, it’s great to include them in the garden.  Gardens are a place to grow fruits, vegetables, or flowers, and enjoy nature. Who better to enjoy gardens with than young children? But those little hands and minds can have a hard time if the garden is not designed with them in mind.  This article will discuss how to design your garden considering the needs of little ones and how to prepare activities so they can be successful gardening and grow a joy for it.

Tools for planting and weeding:

A little bucket and child sized trowel are perfect for weeding and planting.  You can show your child how to dig a hole by putting the dirt into a bucket.  Then place the bulb or seedling and pour the dirt back into the hole.  Similarly, the set can be used for weeding by digging out the weeds and putting them in the bucket.  Don’t forget to show the child where to dump the weeds. 

Planting seeds:

Small children’s fine motor skills are just developing so it’s hard to hold and plant seeds.  Putting the seeds in a little cup allows them to securely hold the seeds and choose one to plant.  I also find that our daughter steals my kneeling pad, so I have a special little one for her to go get.

Watering plants:

Choose a little watering can that is small enough for your child to lift and carry independently when full. I like a sprinkle head for outdoor use.  If possible, it’s really nice to have a way for your child to fill the watering can on their own as well.

Harvesting:

Harvest time is the best time! I find that children are likely to at least try the fruit and veggies they plant and harvest.

Native strawberries are great ground-cover even in partial shade and provide tons of sweet little berries to pick and eat or freeze for the winter. Have a special little bowl to encourage more collecting and less eating, or collecting and eating.

Dining:

Don’t forget a sweet little spot to eat your delicious harvest. 

A Place for Everything and Everything in it’s Place:

Have a place to store your child’s gardening supplies that they can reach and access on their own.  When we keep this area nicely organized they know how to get their things and can be responsible for putting them away.  Let’s be honest, my daughter doesn’t always put her things away on her own, but a consistent set-up will allow her to do this as she matures.  We keep out child-sized tools needed for the current season.  Here you can see her watering can, dish for seeds, kneeling mat, and gardening tote. The tote includes a child-sized metal trowel, fork, gardening gloves, and bucket.  I did not put out the turtle labels that came with the set, and we bought her some better fitting gloves.  She truly uses these tools to garden, something plastic and easily breakable would be frustrating.  Other seasonal tools might include a rake for leaves in the fall or shovel for snow in the winter.

A Children’s Garden:

Some children and families enjoy having a designated space for a children’s garden.  This can be a place for the child to make all their own choices.  I find that children enjoy gardening the whole garden and don’t want to only garden in the children’s area. Little children benefit from quiet moments of independent observation and interaction in the garden.

Children love little pathways and other things that make a garden fun like garden art and wind chimes.  Consider including elements that are at their level.

Gardens can be for playing as well! If children getting dirty stresses you out, have a clean-up plan that the children understand before they get started. We enjoy having a sand box, fairy garden, and swings in our garden as well.  I can work while the children do what they enjoy.

 Photo credits: Kristin Beardsley Schoenherr (1 - 11)