How Can You Keep Your Child Interested In Gardening?

One of the most fun experiences in life can be gardening with your child. Children are naturally overflowing with exuberance, excitement, and curiosity . They want to know everything, and gardening is something that truly fascinates them. Help your child track seeds to plants to dining table, and he (and you) will learn things you never imagined. The trick is to keep the experience fun. Buying the right children’s garden tools for your child can go a long way to sparking his interest in gardening.

When your child is very small, say toddler or preschool age, all he’ll want to do is play in the dirt. At that point it’s fine to buy him a little set of plastic tools so that he can "help" you garden. About the time he starts school, however, he’s going to be ready for more productive gardening. He’ll want the real deal, and it’s important that you equip him right. He’s too young and too small to use your tools effectively, and it will frustrate him to try. Instead, buy him heavy-duty tools that are designed for small hands, and he’ll be enthralled.

In order to maintain his interest in gardening, you must be sure the experience is both fun and comfortable for him. If he doesn’t have the right children’s garden tools, he’ll feel both awkward and unhappy. Don’t present him with the whole gardening process at first. Start him working after the ground has already been tilled. You’re going to be concentrating on raking, seeding, and watering the first year, so don’t overload his mind. When he grows up more you can start introducing him to other jobs which need to be done.

Buying Your Child’s Tools

Your child will need the basic children’s gardening tools in order to get started. He should have a hoe, a rake, a spade, something to measure with, kid-sized gloves, and a watering can. There are many websites which offer great tips for working with child gardeners as well as lines of tools built just right for children ages 5-8. You’ll be amazed at how sturdy these tools are with their forged metal heads and hardwood handles. You’ll appreciate that these tools were made to last.

A watering can must absolutely be the right size in order for your child to manage it easily. Help him select a watering can that not only looks cool, but which is also the right size for him to manage when it’s full of water. Never expect him to use your watering can. Even empty it will be very awkward for him to carry, and it will be impossibly cumbersome when filled with water. Buy him the right watering can so that the watering job can continue to be fun for him.

A wheelbarrow can be a good time for a child who is just learning to garden, especially if he’s used to seeing you use one. Inexpensive plans for building your own midget wheelbarrow are available online. Think of how great it would be for both of you to build this project together! Your son will love being big enough to help you and will take a great deal of pride in the finished project.

Your child will need a special storage area to keep his tools in. Teach him to clean them after using them and put them away in their designated places. You’ll be helping him establish good habits that will be useful to him all throughout life.

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