Encourage fun and sustainable activities in the garden!

16 March 2012 / Garden / 0 Comment

For generations, Australians of all ages have enjoyed the benefits of the traditional backyard with many maintaining that it was where countless childhood memories took place.  However, as the temperature plummets, parents often struggle to find ways to get their kids away from the television and outdoors.

When we think of kids, two words come to mind – energy and fun. But you might ask, what is the easiest way to get them involved in the garden while feeding their endless need to remain occupied and entertained? Well we’ve come up with a few suggestions – check them out:

Build a worm farm

If there’s one thing kids’ love, it’s the opportunity to get dirty. Building a worm farm not only educates kids on the living organisms in their own backyard, but it is a good opportunity to get muddy and have fun. Creating an eco-system also requires ongoing care presenting them with a great way to encourage ownership and responsibility.

Make a bird feeder

Not only is creating a bird feeder to encourage natural wildlife fun it also allows children to observe and learn about the species of birds that live in their region. Using an old plastic bottle or milk carton to make a bird feeder is a creative exercise for the kids and once complete will give them something to monitor, maintain and interact with in the garden.

Create a raised vegetable garden

Investing in a raised garden bed can be worthwhile for many reasons, especially when it comes to educating children on the origins of fruit and vegetables. Purchasing a good size bed like the Adda Garden Bed is a great start followed by selecting suitable plants such as tomato bushes, cucumber and zucchini plants, and even Raspberry bushes.

By allowing children to take part in the planting and maintaining of the garden bed, they will gain a deeper appreciation of the values of home-grown vegetables and what it means to be sustainable, as well as developing a taste for new and different fruit and vegetable varieties.

Tree planting drive

A great way to get the whole family active and involved in the garden is to organise a tree planting day, whereby kids have the opportunity to learn about the sustainability of trees and what they mean to our environment.

By participating in a tree planting drive, you can provide your children with an understanding of how and why wildlife rely on trees as a habitat, as well as encouraging them to be responsible for nurturing and caring for the trees until it mature.

Build a bean tepee

As we know, children love creating cubby houses whether it’s using mum’s old sheets, a cardboard box or beneath the dining table their active imaginations can transport them into a whole different world.

A bean tepee is the ideal project when it comes to building a cubby house that is sustainable and fun! Find a suitable area in the garden then simply use bamboo sticks and some wire to form a secure tepee stand that is safely embedded into the ground.  Surrounding this you can plant a bean bush which overtime will grow nicely over the tepee to create an ideal green and edible retreat for the kids.

Unusual containers

Don’t let a lack of pots and other gardening materials hold you and your children back from having fun in the garden. Recycled items such as plastic bottles, old shoes and tyres can be easily recycled to plant in. It’s also been said that the use of unusual containers can be more engaging, holding the kids attention for longer while inspiring them to think more creatively.

Through some of our tips in this blog, we think it’s easy to get your kids active and involved in the garden. Not only will it create endless hours of fun, but will also help children to develop creative and sustainable skills they can carry with them throughout their lives.

How do you get YOUR kids active in the garden?

Comment on our blog post below, or log onto our Facebook page at www.facebook.com/HillsHomeLifestyle and leave your tips on our wall!