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Gardening with Kids

We are staying home more these days and the weather is beautiful. We’ve been spending a lot of time outside and recently the kids have been interested in helping me garden. We don’t have a huge garden but we certainly make the most of it. What I’ve learned is that you don’t need a big space to have fun or learn the amazing lessons that gardening provides! I’ve also learned … throwing soil seems to part of the fun ;)

 Here are 5 great reasons to garden with kids: 

• Gardening is an awesome family activity:

Everyone can help! We’ve got spades and shovels, dirt and flowers…what else do you need? Oh the watering can! A hit with both kids. From the start – picking the flowers…to the digging of holes to the sprinkling with water after you’ve planted….each phase seems to be a popular one!

• Gardening enhances fine and gross motor skills and development:

We are all about motor skill development at Mobi. You can see this in the games and toys we develop and also in the other blog posts! From picking up tiny seeds, to gently caring for seedling and plants…fine motor skills are at work. When your kids are carrying the plants from one part of the garden to the other and squatting down to dig a hole…gross motor skills are at work. The best part? Your littles won’t even know they are working on them!

• Gardening helps kids understand planning and organizing:

When you garden, you have to think ahead and plan. What plants grow at what time of the year? Some plants like to grow in rows, while wildflower seeds can put sprinkled. How tall are the flowers we are planting? Do they require shade or sunlight? What do we want the garden to look like when in bloom? A lot of great conversations can happen around planning and organizing and allowing your kids to partake will give them a sense of importance and independence.

• Gardening teaches patience:

Whether you are planting flowers or growing veggies…gardening takes time. This is a great activity to teach kids about the rewards of being patient and also lets them practice the skill!

• Gardening involves all five senses:

You know, we at Mobi are all about development and it is so fun to have an activity that is great for the whole family and that involves all the senses! See, touch, taste, hear, smell … gardening covers them all!

Let us know what you are planting and/or growing! We’d love to see!!!! What are your favourite parts about gardening with your little ones?