When planning fun activities for your kids, gardening is a great option that allows you to balance quality time with practical benefits for their health and development. Gardening with kids makes them physically active, teaches them life skills like patience and responsibility, and can even encourage them to eat healthy by growing their own food.
In addition to getting kids interested in gardening by taking them to public gardens and green spaces and involving them in the planning phase, you’re also responsible for ensuring their safety during this activity. Since gardening involves intense activity and exposure to the outdoors, it’s advisable to follow safety precautions to prevent injuries and make the experience fun and enjoyable. By the end of this article, you’ll learn effective tips that can help you and your family maximize the benefits of tending to your garden together.
Use the right gardening tools
Using the right gardening tools not only makes activities like tilling the soil easier but also reduces unnecessary stress and discomfort on the body, especially for kids who are still getting used to repetitive motions. QVC’s Garden & Outdoor Living section features high-quality gardening tools that will help you get essential tasks done with precision—and without exposing yourself to injuries or damaging the soil and plants. These include Martha Stewart’s collection of gardening knives, scissors, and hand tools designed for pulling out weeds, digging soil, and trimming and pruning plants smoothly and easily. Consider getting a garden tool bag or wearable pouch to safely store these tools and keep them away from children when not in use.
Teach kids about common risks
While physically intensive gardening tasks can potentially cause pain, discomfort, or injury, safety hazards also include chemicals like fertilizers and pesticides, which may otherwise irritate the skin when mishandled. Thus, it’s essential to read the labels and manufacturer instructions first, then guide kids on using the products properly, if appropriate for their age.
Gardening hazards may also come in the form of toxic and poisonous plants like lilies, lantanas, hydrangeas, and foxgloves. Since their flowers are bright and colorful, they may entice kids to touch and even consume them, making it crucial to teach them which plants to keep away from.
Wear protective gear
Lastly, gardening safety can be achieved by ensuring you and your kids are wearing the appropriate gear for the activity. Wear gardening gloves and clothing that adequately covers the arms and legs to prevent scratches, cuts, blisters, and insect bites.
Spending prolonged periods under the sun can also compromise health and safety through exposure to ultraviolet rays, which cause sunburn and increase the risk of skin cancer. Therefore, your gardening gear should include sunscreen from trusted brands like Coppertone. Its Kids SPF50 Clear Sunscreen spray, face stick, and lotion are hypoallergenic and provide adequate protection against sun damage. Wearing sunglasses and an outdoor hat can also protect you and your family from other UV-related health risks, such as photokeratitis (sunburn of the eye) and heat strokes.
As you incorporate these tips into your family gardening activities, remember to also make time for regular breaks every 30 minutes or an hour. Even if you and the kids aren’t feeling tired yet, you can use these breaks to stretch, hydrate, and even step back to admire your surroundings. Continue reading the posts here at Charlottesville Family Magazine for more resources on family fun and living.