My kids love to be included in the garden, but it usually has to be on their terms. If I were to announce a family weeding session not only would they run and hide as fast as they could, but they would probably end up weeding the wrong plants because they are so young. Some strategies I use to make helping in the garden fun is to give them their own spaces to dig, water, plant, and play freely without me worrying about them trampling something. They also get to pick certain flowers to use in their mud pie creations, and get really excited when I tell them they can have ALL the dandelions, or as much feverfew as they want. Because we have a small yard they have a stump set up under the cedar tree and their swing set is also under the cedar tree. It’s a tight fit, but it’s nice for me to be nearby as I do my own outdoor work. Another strategy is I point out individual plants and tell them what they are good for. All three of my daughters recognize dandelion leaves, and will even pick dandelions for our rabbits when we are at the park. Harvesting is always a blast, and I try not to make it too big of a deal if a few unripe berries or tomatoes make their way into the basket.
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Gardening With Kids: A 6 Year Old’s Garden Tour
