Get Outside!

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Do you remember being a kid and spending hours outdoors in the sunshine, playing tag or hide and seek, catching fireflies, or just laying back in a sunny field watching the clouds roll by? Television was for Saturday morning cartoons and rainy days, and video games were a luxury.

Those were the good old days.

In today’s world with entertainment mainly in the form of technology and a smartphone in every child’s hands, envisioning your children in the garden may seem a stretch of the imagination. However, studies show that connecting to the great outdoors has incredible benefits. The National Wildlife Federation notes that “connecting children and nature … helps children grow lean and strong, enhances imaginations and attention spans, decreases aggression, and boosts classroom performance. In addition, children who spend time in nature regularly are shown to become better stewards of the environment.”

Gardeners know that tending a garden requires patience, scientific observation, humility and a little good humor — traits that are worth cultivating in children. Plus, given the decrease of pollinator populations, increase in pollution, and a changing environment, it’s our responsibility to connect young people to nature. Their future depends on it!

No matter the age or interest level, there are numerous creative activities to spark an appreciation for plants and the greater connection to the planet. Check out our list of fun ideas for all ages:

Sensory Garden

Introduce children to interesting fragrances, flavors, color and texture with a sensory-rich herb garden. Plant a small bed or large container with herbs like rosemary, lavender, golden oregano, and mint. Snip the herbs for culinary or medicinal use or let them go to flower and watch the pollinators swarm.

Spooky Garden

Succulents and cacti are trendy for a reason; they are super cool and easy to care for. Take pumpkin decorating to the next level this Halloween and create a spooky pumpkin succulent planter. Pick a pumpkin, cut off the top, and scoop enough flesh to accommodate an assortment of succulents. Install a bit of potting soil and then tuck the plants in tight. The display will last for weeks. Once the pumpkin starts to soften, pop the succulents into another container and use the pumpkin for a lesson on composting.

Pollinator Protector

Have you heard about the decline in some bee populations, and the devastating global effects? You and your family can play a part in restoring important pollinator habitat. Cultivate a small bed or place a few containers in a sunny spot. Visit your local garden center for a selection of native perennials - including butterfly weed, New England aster, coreopsis, coneflower and Joe-Pye weed – selections that will provide beneficial food and habitat for pollinators. As you tend the perennials, reflect on the vital role they play in our food system and ecosystems, and observe the amazing beauty and variety of pollinators local to our area.

Visit your local garden center for more tips and tricks to help your kids get outside!

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