Winter Garden Activities with Kids & Teens
Giving our kids the best, unforgettable experiences, creating memories that last a lifetime, is what every parent is reaching for. Alongside these cherished moments, introducing your children to the joys of gardening gifts them with unique experiences. While we’re settling from the holidays, our garden is also in transition, for the cooler months.
Gardening can be such a wonderful activity for children of all ages. Not only does it help in physical development, but it also encourages a sense of responsibility, fosters a connection to nature, and offers numerous teachable moments.
Age-appropriate activities to get kids involved in winter garden preparations:
Babies
Sensory Exploration: Allow babies to feel different textures of soil, leaves, and plants
Outdoor Tummy Time: Lay a blanket near you as you garden or place you bundle in the grass. Fresh air is wonderful for them!
Nature Sounds: Let them listen to the rustling leaves, chirping birds, or the wind brushing through plants
Toddlers
Collecting Fallen Leaves: hand them a small basket to collect fallen leaves.
Watering: With supervision, let them water the plants using a small watering can.
Planting Bulbs: With your guidance, toddlers can drop bulbs in holes you’ve dug.
Digging: Provide them with child-sized tools to help dig or play in the dirt.
Nature Walks: Go on a little nature walk around the garden, pointing out insects, birds, and different plants.
Elementary
Plant Identification: Teach them to identify different plants and explain their roles in the garden.
Composting: Introduce them to composting explaining how waste turns into food for plants.
Weeding: Show them how to identify and remove unwanted weeds.
Covering Plants: They can help cover delicate plants with fleece or burlap to protect frost frost.
Harvesting: Let them assist in the final harvest, teaching them about the various crops.
Creating Bird Feeders: Encourage them to make simple bird feeders to support winter birds.
Teenagers
Planning: Engage them in planning for next year’s garden. Maybe they want to try growing something new?
Pruning: Show them how to prune plants and explain the reasons behind it.
Building or Repairing Structures: If you have raised beds, trellises, or greenhouses, they can help repair or build.
Pest Control: Teach them about beneficial insects and organic methods of pest control.
Mulching: They can assist in spreading mulch to protect the soil and plants from winter weather.
Documenting: Encourage them to document the garden’s progress, maybe through photos or a journal. This can help in future planning and also serves as a lovely memory keeper.
By involving you eager kids in gardening tasks, not only are you imparting vital skills and knowledge, but you’re also nurturing a love for nature and growing. Plus, these hands-on tasks can be extremely beneficial for their learning and development! Happy gardening to you and your budding gardeners!
This article was written by Heatherann Rose, a children’s author, educator and garden enthusiast.
