As computer games and television become more and more acceptable in the domestic environment, it can get increasingly difficult to interest offspring in traditional activities such as playing outside or spending time in the garden. The only way to engage kids in the outside world is to make activities as enjoyable and interesting as possible, to compete with the myriad different hobbies which the digital age affords.
The following tips can be followed to encourage the whole family to take an interest in spending time in the garden, and will help kids to get active and engaged in healthy and fun activities.
Grow an Edible Garden
Encourage children to participate in gardening by setting up a few "edible" baskets and pots, with tomatoes and herbs such as parsley, thyme, coriander and basil. All these things are easy to grow from seed. Kids will enjoy seeing what they can grow – experiment with carrot tops and cress, apple pips and seeds left over from lunch!
Take an Interest in Trees
Learn with kids by getting to know all the names of trees in the UK. Collect leaves and dry them out and pressing them, and then help kids to stick them in an album or make a montage. The leaves could even be laminated and then made in to mobiles or pictures to hang in the children’s bedrooms.
Encourage Composting and Recycling
Make environmental awareness fun by promoting composting and recycling in the garden. Give kids ownership of the compost bin by helping them to decorate it in any way they want, and paint recycling bins in different colours. Encourage kids to take part in helping the environment by suggesting ways to recycle different materials in the home, drawing charts and finding new uses for old things.
Play Traditional Games
Games such as swingball and hopscotch may be old-fashioned, but they have endured for a reason. They have universal appeal for children of most ages. Invest in a tyre swing, basketball hoop and other outdoor activities such as Giant Jenga, marbles, skittles and hula hoops to get some traditional fun for kids.
Encourage Animals in to the Garden
Build bird and bat boxes and a wormery to get kids interested in wildlife and bring them in to your garden. In a safe environment, ducks will nest and pigeons will come to a well-stocked bird table. If there is enough room to build a safe fish pond, this is a great way to engage kids and teach them to take responsibility for something.
Plant a Tree
Planting a tree together as a family is a lovely way of leaving a lasting living memento in the garden which can be shared together throughout the summer.
Set out a Space Just for the Kids
Encourage creativity and care by allocating a special part of the garden which is for the exclusive domain of the children. Build a tree house or play-shed with them, give free reign to grow anything, and see what happens!
Make Patterns with Plants
Plant trees, flowers or shrubs to make shapes such as smiley faces, animal outlines or maps so the kids can watch them take shape as they grow.
Collect Items for the Garden
Make collections of things such as rocks, shells and pebbles from happy days out together at the beach or in the park. This collection will bring fond memories of great family times.
Have Fun with Water
In warmer weather, encourage the kids to let loose with water in any way possible! Use hose pipes, buckets and water pistols, paddling pools and wet sponges to have a riotous time and water the garden at the same time.
By making the garden a safe and creative space to play in, children will take an active interest in getting outdoors and spending time away from the television. A carefully-planned schedule of activities will support learning and exercise without being onerous for the family.
Jen Syrkiewicz - Jen is a writer based in York, UK. She has many years of experience in the communications field, and specialises in Blog Writing and Blog ...
