Taking Play Time to the Garden

There were so many ideas generated from the last post that we have three more compilations to go. There are none more stir crazy than the children. So here are ten ways to involve, educate and entertain children in the landscape.
1 - The bugs are starting to come out with the warm weather. Children often enjoy looking for worms, caterpillars, butterflies, bees, etc. Not only can it be fun to see how many different creatures are living in your yard, but it is good to know who finds your yard comfortable. Many insects keep our plants and soils healthy. Other insects will damage the landscape and should be discouraged.
2 - Children love craft projects. With a few scraps of wood, an old dish, or any multitude of recycled items you can make a simple butterfly feeder. While plants are always the best, a little supplemental food never hurts, especially early in the season when plants are not blooming yet.
3 - Another fun project is to make bee nesting blocks, bug houses, or butterfly nesting boxes. There are a wide variety of patterns out there, just don't fall for the multi-species boxes. Too many bugs in the same box and diseases are more likely to spread. Also, make sure your materials will stay dry on the inside or dry out quickly. Lots of wet cardboard will also cause illness in our garden friends.
4 - Ever just want one or two stepping stones? A bag of concrete, some objects from around the yard and a little mess will get you some fun stepping stones. Simple concrete stones can be mixed in a bucket and formed with a commercial mold, some wood, a plastic bin, or even by hand. You can decorate your stone with leaves, hand prints, pebbles, toys, etc.
5 - It may be an old thing to do, but on rainy days like today, have some fun making mud pies. Don't be afraid of the mess.
6 - Early spring is a great time to plant seeds. Whether you want more lawn or thicker lawn. Maybe you want some flowers or you are ready to plant a vegetable garden. Let the children go out and start planting those seeds for you. The rows might not be as straight, but mother nature doesn't plant in straight lines either.
7 - How about creating a treasure hunt? You can think of a list of items commonly found outside (try not to kill any bugs) and see who can find them all first. Things to look for might be bugs, worms, buds, twigs, flowers, leaves, green grass, deer droppings, etc.
8 - Easter is coming why not decorate your fence in preparation. Use ribbons, streamers, pictures, marbles, or sidewalk chalk to create patterns of images on your fence. Let their imaginations go wild, you can always have them clean it up next week (double win).
9 - Create a fairy or goblin garden. Let them find materials for creating houses and shelters. They can design play or seating items for their unseen friends. There are a lot of ideas online. Fairy gardens can be created under a tree, in a pot, under the deck, any little nook or cranny will work great. The children can then spend all summer looking for inhabitants and changing things around.
10 - Let the children create their own garden. Give them a small patch of ground. Let them plant anything they want, whether its produce, flowers, twigs, rocks, or bugs. Its a great way to teach them about nature and responsibility.

​We're not done yet, so keep checking back for more idea.