Small Gardening Projects, Perfect for Small Hands!

Repotting Plants

Have you been putting off small gardening projects like repotting/relocating plants around your garden because they are “small” projects, and you’ll (probably) get around to doing them eventually?  Well, put them off no longer.  They are a perfect activity for your little preschooler this summer, and here are ten reasons why.

1. Children love to play in dirt!  They are closer to the ground and are ready to make new discoveries with what they see and touch. It’s hands-on exploration at its best!

   

   Scooping Dirt

2. At this age, children love to help!
3. Gardening is educational for this age group.  You can talk about plants being living organisms.  They need food, water, sunlight, and space to grow and thrive.  Show the roots of a plant where it takes up nourishment (food and water) from the soil.  The green leaves soak up energy from the sun.  By gardening, you are making space for plants. 
4. Gardening is a great introduction to some very important life lessons, such as patience, rewards of nurturing skills, responsibility, and even loss.
5. Gardening can also help initiate environmental awareness through understanding the importance of plants as the primary producers in the web of life.
6. Physically, gardening helps young children learn control when pouring dirt or water around a plant.
7. Gardening can create a relaxing space to be enjoyed for years to come.  A garden can reduce stress and is a place to spend time outdoors.
8. It’s easy to find (adorable) kid-sized gardening tools in any garden center where adult-sized tools can be found.  But, children don’t really need tools to play in the dirt (It’s fun either with or without tools)!
9. Gardening gives young children pride in their new abilities to help and care for another living thing.
10. Most importantly, it’s an activity you can do as a family!

So get out there and start gardening with your child!

Patting the Dirt

Watering the Newly Planted Plant