Pint Sized Green Thumbs

When winter rears it's ugly head, we tend to stay indoors. The first few months are a frenzy of baking, book reading and toddler-friendly crafts but after awhile I tend to get...bored. The thought of packing my two year old into 10 layers to run to the store becomes exhausting. During the cold months kids engage in more passive activities, and while it's fine when it's -20 degrees, it starts to get addicting. Video games, movies, computers and anything with a “screen” can become a way of life, not a way of winter.

This spring and summer, get muddy. Whether you live in an apartment or on an acre of land, gardening with your kids is do-able, and a blast. I've never met a toddler or elementary aged kid who didn't covet a chance to romp in the mud and dirt. Gardening can be fun, healthy, and educational...three elements you simply can't go wrong with.

If you live in an apartment, or just don't have time to turn your yard into an arboretum, container gardening is probably your best bet. We have found dozens of clay pots at garage sales, and dollar stores and with a little paint you can turn them into lovely pieces of “art” for your plants. Containers and pots can sit no windowsills, on your deck, or lining cross your yard depending on how much/little sun they need. Herbs are one of the easiest, fastest growing container plants, and once they are mature kids can eat them/smell them/and use them in the kitchen. Some of the best herbs to grow in planters are: lavender, mint, basil, lemon balm, dill, and French Tarragon

Veggies are another wonderful opportunity for kids to learn how nature works it's magic to give us produce. Got a sunny spot? A tiny plot of land? A large enough planter? You can grow tomatoes, potatoes, radishes, salad, carrots, peas and peppers without much trouble. Fruit can be easy too, but plants like strawberries will need room to spread so if you're solely looking to container garden, you won't have much look (or many strawberries!) Remember that while kids have a short attention span, getting to eat what they “grew” is pretty exciting.

Plants and flowers are another ascetically pleasing, fun garden accessory. Have your kids ever “pet” a lambs ear? What about making pressed flowers from black eyed Susan's? Looking for bugs with a magnifying lens? The amount of outside activities you and your kids can partake in, in the garden is endless. Even infants can explore the smells and sights of the garden without too much interference from us parents. Gardening is also a way to teach the little ones how to be more green! Starting a compost is a great activity, reading about the environment while munching on some homegrown carrots is a blast.

Some of my favorite kids gardening books are Roots, Shoots, Buckets & Boots: Gardening Together with Children and Sunflower Houses both written by Sharon Lovejoy. The activities and craft ideas for gardening are whimsical and so inspiring for the sometimes uninspired momma. I've also found that using Craigslist and Freecycle has led me to virtually free and brand new kids (and adult) gardening supplies, seeds, and potting materials so don't let your budget stand in the way of gardening!

About the Author Managing Partner and Editor-in-Chief at one of the best social networking and lifestyle sites for moms, EverythingMom.com. Trying to balance life at home with my 3 kids (all under 8), while building my business, working at EverythingMom.com and developing my writing. Oh and throw a load of laundry in and a dinner that isn't burnt. Wasn't working from home suppose to be easier? Posted by Carrie Anne in activities on May 03, 2010 More from this author  |  Author Website Follow Carrie Anne on:  |  |  |