Taking time to garden with a child can create an opportunity to bond. Even if you do not have outside garden space, there are indoor plant projects that you can embark on.

Why garden with your child?

Gardening with your child is a lot of fun, but it also has other benefits.

Spending time connecting with nature and being surrounded by plants and earth has been proven to improve emotional regulation and well-being.

Gardening also develops a wide range of essential skills, such as fine motor control through planting little seeds and patience as they water plants daily, waiting for them to grow.

It can be educational in a natural and fun way, as children learn about different types of plants, and meet a variety of creepy crawlers in the dirt they are digging.

As you garden with your child, there will be time to chat. Children are more likely to open up and talk about their feelings if they are busily engaged in an activity alongside you.

How to garden with your child

Gardening with your child will be a different experience for each family. How you approach it will depend on the space you are working with, as well as the age and development of your child.

Here are a few ideas.

• Invest in a planting box for them to work with. Spend time in a garden centre looking for seeds or plants to fill it with. Remember to teach them how to check the information on the label to see if the plant will grow well in the area they are working with. Here is a guide to layering a planting box to save money on soil.
• Create your own vegetable patch. Growing vegetables from scratch is a great way to encourage children to eat healthier. A lot of vegetables do well if you grow them into seedlings inside first, and then plant out once they have grown a little.
• Download an app, like PlantNet, to help children learn about different plants. PlantNet allows you to take photos of plants, and it will tell you what they are likely to be from either the leaf shape or the flower. This can be a game changer when children first have a go at weeding.
• Start a sunflower-growing race with your neighbours. Buy a pack of sunflower seeds and pass them out to the houses around you. See who can grow the tallest sunflower.
• Experiment with scents as well as visual experiences. Lavender, roses, herbs; there are so many great-smelling plants that you can place around the garden to give children an aromatic experience outside. You could put a little bench near a lavender bush for a calm-down spot.
• Make a wildlife haven. From birdboxes to hedgehog dens, there are a plethora of projects that you can embark on to invite a little wild into your garden. If you are short on space, perhaps try an insect home.
• Invest in a wildlife camera to see the comings and goings of critters around you. There are I-spy bird or wildlife checklists that you can download to add a little challenge.

Indoor plant projects to try if you don’t have a garden

If you don’t have a garden, there are still plant projects that you can embark on.

• Grow herbs or chilli plants in a pot on your windowsill. Both are great indoor pot projects. They are low maintenance and can be used to flavour a variety of dishes.
• Use an old jar or glass vase to build a terrarium. Here is a great how to guide.. Terrariums are beautiful and fun to personalise. Try using coloured stones or use a hanging planter to mix it up.
• Could you place bird feeders outside your window? There are feeders which can suction to your glass, which means this is an option even if you live in an apartment. Just remember to stay safe when placing it.
• Embrace the world of indoor plants. Houseplants brighten any space. They are also proven to support health. When plants were put in the room of hospital patients, pain tolerance improved. If you want a fun craft project, get your little one to help decorate a pot for your new plant.

A final note

Whether it’s indoor plant projects or getting muddy in the garden, embrace the adventure. Let your little ones get creative and have fun.

I wish you all the peace

Hannah Louise

References

Works Cited

olver, Charlotte. “Wellbeing Benefits of Gardening for Children.” Www.rhs.org.uk, 2024, www.rhs.org.uk/garden-inspiration/get-gardening/wellbeing-benefits-of-gardening-for-children.

RHS. “Houseplants: To Support Human Health.” Www.rhs.org.uk, 2023, www.rhs.org.uk/plants/types/houseplants/for-human-health.