kids

Benefits of Gardening for Children

Gardening is a long-time favorite hobby for many who enjoy being surrounded by nature and creating something beautiful from nothing. It’s also a fantastic adventure and learning experience for children who often spend too much time indoors. But hours being spent inside on screens doesn’t have to be the norm. Involving children in gardening is a great way to get kids outside and to engage them in a fun and fruitful activity. Pun intended.

So, what are some of the many benefits of gardening for children? And how can you cultivate their passion for growing things?

Promotes Balance

Cheap bulk candies and video games are often on the top of a kid’s to-do list. While these things are fine in moderation, it’s up to parents to promote balance. One of the main benefit of gardening for children is a form of physical activity that gets them moving and helps burn off the excess energy they acquire while sitting still.

In addition to providing a form of physical exercise, gardening can also help children develop healthy eating habits. Encourage your children to choose and plant a few vegetables during their gardening efforts. The novelty of eating something they’ve grown themselves may outweigh any arguments they might have about eating their veggies. And teaching them where food comes from helps give them an appreciation for farmers and other community members who help grow food.

Appreciation for Living Things

Another benefit of gardening for children is it can help develop mindfulness. As you work with your kids to grow things, discuss the hard work that farmers do every day to put food on your table. Talk about the bugs that you find in the dirt and how they all play a role in the natural world. (Boys will especially love this!) Teach your children about how the plants grow, and the differences between annuals and perennials. Examine the different leaf shapes from the different types of plants. The discussion possibilities are endless.

Not only will these practices help your child develop an appreciation for the living world, but it will also provide great learning opportunities and promote discussion and curiosity.

Develop Responsibility

Taking care of a garden is a great way to develop a sense of responsibility in children. Whereas the consequences for not cleaning one’s room might be a punishment, failure to take care of a garden means that the plants die.

Helping take care of a garden is a simple way to start setting a foundation for chores and responsibility for one’s actions or inactions. It can also be easily scaled to suit different age groups. A younger child might be responsible for watering the plants each day, whereas an older child might have to help with weeding. Giving your child a spot of the garden (or a few pots if you’re container gardening) will give them the freedom and responsibility to care for something on their own. This is one of the natural benefits of gardening for children, and it can come from taking care of any living thing.

Health Benefits

In addition to being more active, gardening has other health benefits that often go overlooked. For example, exposure to the sun can increase levels of vitamin D and have positive mood-boosting effects. Fresh air improves circulation, lowers blood pressure, and reduces stress. And while these may not seem like health issues that children struggle with now, learning to garden gives them a lifetime skill that they can carry throughout their entire life.

Gardening can help improve a child’s self-esteem as they look upon a plant that they’ve helped to grow. The sense of accomplishment and pride will flourish in both you and your child, as they look at their garden and you look at them. And the benefits of growing their own fruits and veggies are pretty tasty too!

Life Skills

The lifetime skill of being able to grow and care for plants and living things is something we all need. By teaching children early where their food comes from and how to grow it, we are setting our children up for success later in life. Being able to grow your own food saves money, promotes healthy eating (there are no Butterfinger trees), and gives them something to rely on if times get hard (Victory gardens were a very real thing.).

So encourage your kids and/or grandkids to get growing. Give them a bit of freedom in what they grow, but help to teach and guide them about how to garden well. You may reap the tasty benefits soon thereafter!

by Courtney Leave a Comment

Preschool Edible Gardens

Getting kids to eat their fruits and vegetables is a full-time job. Young kids aren’t exactly known for their diverse food tastes, and they like to stick to things they know and love. If you’re trying to introduce your kids to healthier produce, you might be using the wrong methods. Gardening is a great way to help children not only learn how food is grown, but also gain excitement about trying new things.

Creating an Edible Garden

Creating an edible garden for your pre-school aged children is a fun activity for the whole family! It’s easy to create a garden that’s safe and educational in your own backyard or even in your home kitchen. Keep reading for tips for creating an edible garden that’s perfect for pre-school and beyond.

Plants for Kids

Not all plants are ideal for children to grow. Some require more complex gardening skills or aren’t easy to eat for wandering fingers. Start with plants that are not only tasty and packed with nutrients, but that are also easy for all ages to grow. Your kids will be eating their veggies in no time.

Here are the best plants to grow with kids:

Beets

Not only are beets nutritious, but they also introduce kids to root crops. Kids will love to see the bright colors like red, orange, white, and yellow, and they can even eat the leaves of these cold-season plants. Young kids can dig for the beets like looking for buried treasure, so there’s a lot of opportunity for play.

Carrots

While most kids already like eating carrots, they taste even better when plucked fresh from the garden. With both baby carrots to foot-long roots, there is a lot of variety you can look for when growing carrots. Carrots are also easy to grow, making them perfect for new gardeners.

Broccoli

We’ve all heard of the classic dilemma of getting kids to eat more broccoli. This healthy green veggie is high in nutritional value, but can also be easy to grow in your edible garden. Since broccoli grows like immature flower buds, you can offer your kids the chance to eat “flowers” right from the garden.

Basil

Growing herbs is an easy way to introduce kids to sights, smells, and tastes. Basil can be produced in its traditional state, or also in different flavors like lemon, lime, or cinnamon. Basil can also lead to flowers, though these should be removed if you’re planning to harvest leaves to use in the kitchen. Encourage kids to taste and smell basil and introduce it in their favorite dishes.

Make Gardening Fun for Kids

The most important part of creating an edible garden is to make it fun for your kids. Younger kids have short attention spans and might not understand how plants go from seed to veggie. The more you can involve your kids in the process, the more excited they’ll be every step of the way.

Let your kids take a hands-on role in helping you choose your seeds from myseedneeds.com or a local store. Next, give them small tasks to help with the garden. Kids might not be able to construct anything complex, but they can help with painting pots or plucking weeds. Together, you can make your edible garden as big or small as you’d like.

Your kids will be eating new foods in no time. Meanwhile, you’ll be teaching them valuable skills about hard work and the environment. Who knows what they might try next? Gardening with kids takes time, but it’s well worth it.

Guest Post by Wendy Dessler

by Courtney Leave a Comment

Gardening Kids Gift Guide

This post may contain affiliate links for your convenience. This simply means any purchases made through links on this page go to support this blog at no extra cost to you. Thank you!

Do you have a budding gardener at home? A dirt loving, seed spilling, can’t-wait-to-be-outside kind of kiddo? Well, do I have a list for you! Gardening kids love to be outside, working with their hands, and generally making messes. And all of that dirt digging and worm finding is actually educational! True story. In fact, according to this story from NPR, playing outside helps build a better brain! You may have already guessed that, but it’s always nice to have confirmation.

While the typical outdoor activities of riding bikes, jumping rope, and running around all have benefits of their own, gardening is special. For kids to garden, they need to think about what to plant, where to plant, when to water, and how to harvest. The process of growing can take several months and the hard work they put in will be rewarded with something they can eat! Gardening with kids is fun, educational, and a perfect family activity. So how can you encourage this type of activity in your kids?

Gardening Gifts for Kids

If you know of a small gardener or two who love to grow things, I have a few suggestions for perfect gifts for them. These gifts are useful any time of year, so don’t feel limited to giving these only in the spring or summer. In fact, one of my picks is a subscription box that comes directly in the mail throughout the year! And prices range from my favorite book (only $5) to the ultimate gardener vehicle, a John Deere Gator from Peg Perego.

Here’s the Kid Gardener Gift Guide List:

Mortimer’s First Garden: Of all the children’s gardening books on the market, this is my favorite. Mortimer is a tiny mouse who is able to take a single sunflower seed and grow it into an enormous flower, which produces a wonderful harvest. He must learn about patience and reliance, and it’s a beautiful story.
My Fairy Crate: Several years ago fairy gardens became popular in a big way. And the tiny features of a fairy garden are perfect for little hands. If you’re not sure how to go about collecting tiny items for your fairy garden, look no further than this subscription box. My Fairy Crate sends you all of the items needed to create a whimsical fairy garden of your own.
Radio Flyer Wheelbarrow: I know at our house the wheelbarrow is the favorite “tool” of the little gardeners. But it’s usually much too heavy and cumbersome for them to use for very long. This perfect sized wheelbarrow will encourage your little gardener to help haul dirt, leaves, sticks, and toys all around the yard. Get them started helping with yard chores at an early age, and this is the perfect tool for the job!
Kids Gardening Gloves– Speaking of helping with yard chores, keep your little gardeners hands safe from thorns, ants, and sharp sticks. These gloves come in a set so that if when they lose them, there’s a back up pair. Or if you have multiple kids, split the pack between them. These are a fabulous stocking stuffer!
Kid Sized Garden Tools– Have you even seen a kid use a full-sized shovel? Don’t stand too closely or you may get a lump on the head. Long handles and heavy ends make most garden tools impractical for kids to use. These kid-sized tools are a great compromise, and they again encourage kids to get out in the yard working in the garden or flower beds.
Earth Box Jr.- I am a huge fan of all Earth Box products, and their Earth Box Jr. is no different. Earth Box takes the guess work out of planting and watering, and almost guarantees a successful harvest if you follow the directions. The Earth Box Jr is smaller than the original, so it’s perfect for a patio, deck, or any out of the way space that a kid can call his/her own. Most any plants or seeds can be planted in an Earth Box, so for the kids, the sky is the limit! And they can plant new veggies or fruits with each season. (Refill packs for the Earth Box are also available.)
Peg Perego John Deere Gator– If you really want to wow your little gardener this year, look no further than Peg Perego’s signature ride-on John Deere Gator. With a bed in the back just begging to be filled with dirt and leaves, this may become your child’s favorite toy. My husband wants one in full size, but alas, there’s no need for one in the city. These 12-volt battery powered Gators last much longer than cheaper battery powered toys, and retain resale value well. So even if your child grows out of it in a year or two, there’s a good chance that a well maintained Gator can sell online at a good price. For the best price, let Google do the searching for you. There are always sales to be had!

So whether you’re shopping for a birthday, Christmas, or just-because Grandparent gift, these garden-centered toys will keep the kids away from screens and active in the backyard. And as a parent, that’s something I’m always looking for.

I’d love to know your child or grandchild’s favorite outdoor toy! Comment below and let me know because I’m always looking for new ideas for our little gardeners. Have a great week and Happy Gardening!

Shopping for a grown up gardener? Check out our Ultimate Gardener Gift Guide!

by Courtney Leave a Comment

DIY 4th of July Windsock

The good old red, white, and blue… while we can fly the American flag any time of year, many of us pull out patriotic decorations as Independence Day draws closer. As much as I love a simple flag or bunting on a porch railing, I wanted a way to get the little gardeners involved in decorating and creating. Enter the 4th of July windsock.

What is a windsock?

I am so glad you asked… even if you didn’t. Maybe you’ve seen a bright orange windsock near an airport runway? The bright, ice cream cone shaped “kite” helps determine which direction the wind is blowing and even how strong the wind is. Most researchers agree that the windsock originated in China and Japan. It would be flown when a child (especially a boy) was born. Many were made out of paper, but wealthier families could afford silk windsocks. (Clearly, we won’t be working with silk, sheesh.)

Windsocks were also known to be carried by soldiers heading out to battle. Can you imagine the Roman army marching along with a rainbow-colored, spinning windsock? Me either. Something tells me their windsocks had a more menacing look to them… maybe some angry eyes. Just an idea.

How to make a windsock

Obviously our windsock is going to be pretty simple to put together, and we don’t want it scaring the neighbors, so no angry eyes. Our usual 4th of July decor is pretty sparse, so this is a great way to add some decoration to the lawn. The 4th of July windsock also puts some extra streamers we’ve had laying around to good use. The other bonus is since we’re using mostly paper materials, you can recycle this after the holiday and not feel guilty. Boom. Here’s what you’ll need:

Supplies

Paper canister (an empty oatmeal or grits canister works well)
Blue felt
White grosgrain ribbon
Red and white paper streamers
Glue gun and sticks
Scrap cardboard
Aluminum foil
Clear tape

4th of July Windsock:

Take blue felt and place it around paper canister. Mark any overhang/extra with a pen and cut it off. Using the glue gun, stick the blue felt to the outside of the canister. Then cut one length of white ribbon and glue it to the top edge The white ribbon gives a more finished look to your windsock.
Cut long lengths (whatever length you like) of red and white streamer paper. Tape the ends of the streamers inside the canister, creating an alternating white and red pattern. Try to keep the streamers close together, like the stripes of the flag. Little hands love to help with this step. (We all know it’s because of the tape; my kids are obsessed with tape!)
Assemble your stars by drawing or stenciling stars onto a piece of cardboard. (Determine the size stars you need based on the size of your container.) If you’re brave, let your kids do this step. (We ended up with a “triangle” star.) Cut out stars and lay each one on a piece of aluminum foil twice as large as the star (this gives you plenty of foil to work with). Wrap the foil around the stars and secure at the back using a dab of glue. Turn stars over and use a Q-tip to smooth the foil if there are any wrinkles or creases. Attach the stars to the windsock using your glue gun.
The final step is making three small holes just below the white ribbon at the top of your windsock. Use a nail or awl to pierce the fabric and cardboard. Then use twine, yarn, or even fishing line to loop through and give your windsock something to hang by. Choose the perfect tree or hook on a porch and let your windsock billow in the breeze!

I hope you have a fabulous Independence Day with lots of sunshine, blueberry pie, fireworks and thankfulness! I’d love to know what your families do to celebrate the 4th. Our plans seem to vary each year, but we always manage a birthday cake for our Yankee Doodle oldest gardener. Until next time, happy gardening!

by Courtney Leave a Comment

Great Garden Books for Kids: Part 2

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Winter may be in full swing, but the weather here in NC isn’t buying it. We’ve had a week of 60 degree days, and it has me in total spring garden planning mode. I’m having to restrain myself from getting out there and planting seeds. I know winter will rear it’s icy head in the next week or so, but that doesn’t mean I can’t get excited about what spring will hold. One way to get myself geared up is to encourage my kids to come on board with planning our spring garden. It’s so important for kids to know where food comes from and how it grows. The grocery store, though convenient, isn’t a farm, and I want the kids to know all about how food grows.

Garden Picture Books

We visit our local library every week because Boy Gardener devours books and the library is a wealth of information for whatever we happen to be studying. I homeschool the little gardeners and learning about gardening is part of our curriculum each year. How do I keep them excited about it each year? Picture books! No matter how old they get, there’s something about the way a picture book brings a story to life. Wired magazine had a great article about why we should still read picture books to older kids. You should definitely check it out.

I’ve posted before about garden books we love, and as it happens, we’ve discovered some new garden picture book gems over the past year. Here’s what we’ve uncovered:

More Great Gardening Books

Secrets of the Garden by Kathleen Weidner Zoehfeld- This book is a total favorite for all of the detail that it gives on planting, growing, and the food chains that exist in our very own backyards. The illustrations are fun and keep the reader (and listeners) searching the page to find everything they can. If you have a backyard garden with chickens, then your kids will feel like this book was written just for them! This book would also be a wonderful reference resource for any students researching gardening, food webs, composting, etc.
If You Plant a Seed by Kadir Nelson- Prepare to be blown away by the beauty of the this book’s illustrations. The author illustrated the book himself, and did so through paintings. If you look closely at some of the pages, you can actually see the texture of the canvas he originally painted on. While the book is about planting seeds, the message goes further than that to focus on planting and growing seeds of kindness, a relevant message for all children (and adults). I know my kids always need reminders of why kindness matters. Bonus: If your child is an artist, they will appreciate several wordless pages within this book. I’d encourage them to draw or paint some pages of their own.
Sleep Tight Farm by Eugenie Doyle- For teaching kids about how farms work, this book is the best hands down. How do farms prepare for winter? Your kids will get a clear picture in the beautifully illustrated pages. I found myself learning a lot about all of the work that goes into the “off” season. The illustrations in this book depict a picturesque New England farm, and my kids loved them!
If You Hold a Seed by Elly Mackay- Gardening holds so many valuable lessons that can be used in other areas of our lives, and this book embraces that truth. Elly MacKay uses seeds as a comparison of what it means to plant and nurture a dream. What child doesn’t have a dream, even if it seems a bit far-fetched? As parents and teachers, one of the best parts of our job is to nurture those dreams, just like garden seeds.
Runaway Tomato by Kim Cooley Reeder- I’ve saved the funniest book for last. While this isn’t a gardening book per se, there’s plenty to learn about teamwork (and seeds) in these hilarious pages. The illustrations are very retro, and my kids enjoyed the over-the-top tomato and all of the antics that went along with it. If your kids need help believing that vegetables can be fun, look no further!

Grab these books from Amazon or even better, your local library! If your library doesn’t carry them, just ask. I know our library is always looking for great book suggestions, especially for the children’s area. I’d love to know if you have favorite garden books that you read to your kids!

by Courtney Leave a Comment

Printable Christmas List

It’s that time of year again! Thanksgiving is only days away. And while I want to relish in that special day of turkey, cranberries, family, and friends, I know Christmas is looming just beyond the horizon. The Christmas tree will spring forth from it’s garage hiding place by the end of the week. (No real tree here; with dogs, small kids, and heating vents where our tree sits, we’ll be sticking with the pre-lit fir for now.) And we’ll be decking the halls and fa-la-la-ing until New Years. And though we’ll decorate early and play Christmas tunes non-stop, there will still be a call for a simple Christmas at our house.

Planning a simple Christmas can be tricky. You’ve probably already started seeing Christmas ads and catalogs (thank you, American Girl). My kids have never read through the newspaper so carefully as when the Target circular came this Sunday. If only they were so interested in their reading lessons; I digress. Because of all of the commercials, catalogs, and circulars out there, the requests for Christmas gifts has been pretty constant for the last few weeks. Since we are going for simple (and haven’t hit the lottery recently), we won’t be buying everything they’ve mentioned. Boundaries… gotta have boundaries (and realistic expectations).

I knew we needed some kind of Christmas list for the kids. I’ve seen a few lists floating around Pinterest, but I couldn’t find one that really suited our family’s needs. We tend to only buy our kids three gifts, not including stocking stuffers, so a list with twenty lines wasn’t going to work. A limited number of lines was a must. Also, getting the little gardeners to think beyond toys was key. In the list I created, I included five areas:

1. A Game to Play: Board games and card games are an excellent way to promote family time. It’s also proven to build problem solving and math skills as well as just being plain fun. We love to buy the kids a new game each year. (Recommendation: Spot It! It’s tiny size and many variations make it a family favorite!)

2. A Book to Read: Especially if your kids have a lot of required reading for school, let them choose a book that interests them. The love of reading starts young, and there are so many wonderful choices out there. (Recommendation: The Notebook of Doom series kept our 6 and 8-year-old hooked, Fantastic Beasts for older readers, and for littles, we love the classic Best Word Book Ever)

3. Something I Want: This is where our kids went wild. In fact, at one point a pet bunny was written down. Not. Going. To. Happen. So, it was begrudgingly erased and replaced with some type of Nerf weaponry. Having only one space, kids do have think hard about what it is they REALLY want.

4. Something I Need: This may vary depending on your family, but our kids chose this spot for things like new robe and slippers, dress boots, etc. Obviously our kids aren’t going without shoes, but if they want something a little special, but it’s still a need, they put it here.

5. A Blessing to Give: This was probably my favorite part of the list. The kids had thought of themselves for the past four lines, and they were surprised to find an area for others on their Christmas list. Our family is choosing to use this line as a craft or treat to be made and shared with others. Boy Gardener chose Christmas cookies, while Girly Gardener declared cupcakes (loaded with candy) to be what she wanted to make and share. There are also plenty of ways to do this without baking. Making crafts, going caroling, spending time with those who may not have family are all great ways to bless others this Christmas season.

I hope that you’ll find this list useful this Christmas season. With all of the hustle and bustle that can prevail this time of year, I hope that you’ll enjoy your families and time together most of all. Have a blessed Thanksgiving and Christmas!

Download: Printable Christmas List

This post may contain affiliate links. This simply means any purchases made through links on this page go to support this site with no extra cost to you. Thanks!

by Courtney Leave a Comment

Seed Activities for Kids

It’s officially summer time! The temperatures are rising (wowza!), and the seeds are hopefully in the garden and growing up a storm. Kids can be such natural gardeners; I don’t know many kids who don’t love to play in the dirt (except those few who don’t like dirt on their hands). In fact, if I’m not careful, our littlest gardener will dig up whatever I’ve planted as soon as it shows a bit of green (a poor geranium bulb was his most recent victim). So why not get those eager hands to work planting seeds?

Planting seeds and watching them grow is an excellent way to show children the miracle that occurs in nature every day. Even if you’re not planting a garden, there are plenty of activities you can use to show your kids how plants grow. And these activities aren’t just for preschoolers and younger elementary kids; older kids who are interested in gardening can plan and grow their own garden, either in pots or in a small spot in the yard. We even know a local boy scout who grows a large patch of okra and sells it to a local grocery store… talk about an entrepreneur! Encourage the curiosity of your children when it comes to growing and tending plants; even if the plants don’t make it, there will be a lesson even in that!

So what are some ways you can encourage growing at your own house? Check out these fun activities for working with seeds. You can make them as simple or in-depth as you like!

Water Bottle Planter

Now this activity teaches both recycling and how seeds grow! Win-win. Relaying the importance of reusing items, which is better than recycling even, is a great lesson for kids to learn. Find the instructions at Giggles Galore for how to create this planter, and the bonus is that you can make it as fancy as you like!

2. Grass Sponge House

Have a kid who doesn’t like to get dirty? This is the seed activity for them; no dirt needed! That may sound confusing, but fast growing grass seed can actually grow without dirt. This activity from Fab Art DIY uses kitchen sponges cut to form a house. The seed is sprinkled on the wet sponges once they’re assembled. Keep it moist and voila! A grass house… this could also be a great history lesson starting point to talk about sod houses. Just a thought!

3. Garden in a Glove

What’s better than watching seeds grow? Watching DIFFERENT types of seeds grow! You can compare how long it takes the different types of seeds to sprout and how differently they look when sprouting. There’s a big difference between a bean seed sprouting and a carrot seed; your kids will love comparing them! Check out the directions at Full Circle Gardener.

4. DIY Chia Pets

Doodle Craft has a great project that’s as simple as filling some panty hose or tights with dirt and grass seed and watching it grow! We actually tried this craft this week at Vacation Bible School, and it was such a hit with the kids. The bonus of adding googly eyes, feathers, and any other fun items you have on hand will give fun personality to your kids creations. This activity is a winner-winner… you know the rest.

Here’s a great activity for your older kids who are interested in not only seeing seeds sprout but also getting a bit of fruit from their labors. Bonzai Aphrodite has a great tutorial on creating these hanging water jug planters and again these involve both growing seeds and reusing household items. This could even turn into a tomato growing empire on your porch…or not.

Encourage your kids to get up and get growing. Life grows from seeds and what better way to show that miracle to your children than with any of these simple activities? I’d love to know if you have ever tried any of these! Keep on Growing and Happy Gardening!

by Courtney 1 Comment

Strawberry Planting with Little Gardeners

Kids…they grow like weeds, or in this case, strawberries. I’m certain that only yesterday I was pushing this chubby faced guy in our small blue swing in the backyard. He was, and is, sweetness through and through.

He wasn’t an only child for very long before his very exuberant and delightful little sister came along. There’s no memory of life without her as far as he’s concerned. But my how they have grown! They (and now their little brother) are all my garden helpers, worm finders, and taste testers, and I’m hanging on to each memory we’re making, including planting these sweet little strawberry plants.

A friend blessed with some strawberry plants that grew off of her’s from the year before (sister plants-bonus for us!). And as we searched for the perfect spot, and dug down deep to make sure those roots had plenty of room, I was overcome with how these strawberries would grow just as fast as my babies have. And how I pray that my kids’ roots will grow just as strong and steady as those here in the ground.

These strawberries will soon be sending out shoots and sister plants, blooming out sweet red berries along the way. And isn’t that what we do as parents? Send out those growing plants and hopefully give them what they need to grow and thrive? Strawberries, much like children, are pretty resilient, and if you plant them in a good spot, give them some love and care, they will grow, and grow, and grow.

Each year these bright green berry plants should come back, so we picked a place that would:

Get plenty of sun!
Give the plants room to spread without taking over.
Not be overly wet if we get heavy rain.
Not be mowed over when they start spreading out. (There was no place that they were safe from the littlest gardeners feet though.)
Have a mulchy (is that even a word?) cover to help keep in moisture, and to also protect the plants in the winter months.

We opted for a spot just beyond the lawn, and though there is a bit of tree cover, this place still gets plenty of sun during the day. While digging our holes, we saw quite a few worms, so we knew the soil was rich and ready to go! Blossoms had already started peeking through on the plants, and a tiny green berry or two were also making an appearance. We hope to have some sweet berries soon, and our local strawberry farms are opening up their fields for picking in about a week! I have some super tasty recipes coming up for you, from strawberry spinach salad to sweet strawberry buttercream frosting (which just happened to be on our girly gardener’s birthday cake)!

So, think about adding some sweet berries to your garden spot this year (or even to just a well lit bed in your yard) with the help of a mini-gardener or too. Who doesn’t love a little help in the garden, even if there is a squished plant or two along the way?

by Courtney Leave a Comment

Garden Easter Basket from the Dollar Spot!

Way back in my college days, I fell hard and fast for… Target! I don’t care if they sell exactly the same thing as Wal-Mart; there’s something about the presentation and look of a Target store that makes me happy to be there (this could also have something to do with the Starbucks). I’m sure there’s a scientific reason for this.. the red and white bullseye is surely a marketing ploy. The Dollar Spot when you first walk in? I’m such a sucker! But not all is lost; let me show you how to put together a super cute Easter basket for cheap and never have to venture beyond the snack bar.

We like to keep Easter baskets pretty simple around here because we want our kids to be able to see past the “stuff” to what Easter is all about. In the past, we’ve usually chosen one stuffed animal, a book, and a small package of Lindt chocolate carrots for each child, and that’s served us well. But this year, I saw an end cap of kids’ gardening supplies at Target, and I knew (cue bright light and angelic music) that this would be perfect for this year’s Easter baskets.

My kids have been more and more interested in the garden, and this provides a way to get kids equipped for helping, as well as give them something to grow. Because what is more perfect for Easter than to be able to watch plants come to life before their very eyes? The wonder of creation contained in a tiny clay pot. Brilliant! So, you can tell I was more than a little excited to see that The Dollar Spot had various items for the kiddie gardener:

Garden gloves (in pink or green)

Watering cans (green or pink)

Shovels (various colors)

Hand rakes (various colors)

Pots with seeds (tomatoes, bell peppers, cilantro, parsley, poppies, etc.)

Garden totes (with pockets for their tools)

Garden aprons (for the professional, of course)

I eventually settled on a watering can, shovel, rake, poppy kit, and a package of Peeps. I even picked up the pink tub and paper shreds in the Dollar Spot, and I’ll plan to use those in other places around the house. I did have to venture to the other side of the cash registers for the Peeps, but it was worth it. Nothing feels like a garden quite like little chicks. (On a side note, I’ve totally been trying to sell my hubs on having chickens in the yard, but so far, it’s a no-go. Boo. I’m sure my neighbors are thanking him. Update: We now have chickens… woop!)

The filled Easter bucket totaled $10, which I thought was a pretty good deal. My kids usually don’t “use” their actual baskets after Easter morning, so this bucket will work its way into our decor. Win-win. So, if your kids already have a basket they use from year to year, the cost to create a garden-themed basket would be even less. Lucky you! So, think a little outside of the Easter basket this year, and consider what your kids can use and what won’t lay around the house uselessly.

Can’t get to Target? Here are some great alternatives from Amazon that are close in price:

Just For Kids Garden Tool Set (Comes with hand rake, trowel, and shovel in a cute striped bag)

VIdatoy Simple 12-piece Garden Set (This is a big set of mini tools, pots, and watering can. They’re plastic, so are perfect for littles.)

Little Pals Junior Garden Kit (This set includes a canvas tote, bucket, rake, shovel, and garden markers. Very cute and comes in blue or pink.)

I’d love to know what you like to put in your kids’ baskets, and what have they loved the most over the years! Happy Gardening!

by Courtney Leave a Comment

Leprechaun Milk

Spied any rainbows lately after a nice pre-spring rain shower? St. Patricks day is right around the corner, and what better way to give your kids a peek into Irish folklore than learning about Leprechauns!

It occurred to me last week that beyond the St. Patrick’s Day shamrocks my kids made in preschool, we had really never read any books about Ireland or St. Patrick’s Day. Total parenting fail, especially since some close family friends of ours are steeped in Irish heritage. (My apologies to the Corrigans!) While our school weeks have been pretty full, we did take the time to read That’s What Leprechauns Do by Eve Bunting.

While this book is fun and mischievous (there are leprechauns involved after all), I wouldn’t say it’s heavy in historical fact, but that’s not why we checked it out. My kids loved traveling along with the three tiny leprechauns as they journeyed to the end of the rainbow to set out the pot of gold. In fact, I don’t know if my kids had ever heard about the pot of gold at the rainbow’s end until today. But I can pretty much guarantee that after today, there will be rain boots and coats being thrown on after the next rainstorm. I mean, why not?!

St. Patrick’s Day Spirit

To get my kids in the leprechaun spirit, I made them a completely un-Irish concoction that I dubbed Leprechaun milk. Bright green milk? Oh, yes. Now, if your kids are allergic to veggies (at least in their minds), then you may want to make this while they’re outside, and surprise them with it, because spinach is the secret green ingredient here. There’s also no refined sugar; it’s only sweetened with a banana and a splash of maple syrup. A bit of peanut butter also gives it a slight nutty flavor that pairs well with the banana. (If your child has a peanut allergy, feel free to sub in Sun Butter.) It’s definitely not a smoothie, because the consistency is much thinner, but you could definitely thicken it up with some yogurt and ice cubes if you wanted to go that route. Make it your own!

Blend this up for your little leprechauns and in the midst of all of the “busy” during the day. Take some time to hunt for rainbows and elusive pots of gold, because before we know it, our little leprechauns will be big.

What are some of your favorite St. Patrick’s Day activities? I’d love to hear about them!

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Leprechaun Milk

Yum

A super healthy bright green drink to get your kids in the St. Patrick's Day spirit!

Coursebeverage

Servings	Prep Time
2	5 minutes

Servings	Prep Time
2	5 minutes

Leprechaun Milk

Yum

A super healthy bright green drink to get your kids in the St. Patrick's Day spirit!

Coursebeverage

Servings	Prep Time
2	5 minutes

Servings	Prep Time
2	5 minutes

Ingredients

1 1/2 cups almond milk or other type of milk
1 Banana
1 tbsp peanut butter or Sun Butter
1/2 tsp Vanilla
1 tsp maple syrup
1 cup fresh baby spinach

Servings:

Instructions

Combine all ingredients in blender. Blend until spinach leaves are no longer visible. (If your blender just won't make this happen, then you can always strain the milk as you pour it into the cup.)
Serve over ice or use a frozen banana to keep the milk cold. Enjoy! Option: For a smoothie, add a cup of ice when blending.

Recipe Notes

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