This past weekend my husband and I spent an afternoon with our sons working in the yard, planting spring flowers.  I didn't expect my sons to want to participate, but was happily surprised when they all pitched in and actually seemed to enjoy it!  The best part was that I got to work alongside them and talk to them while we planted.  It was really nice to have that quality time with them, working on a new project together.  As adults, we often assume that gardening is designed exclusively for us.  But children also love to garden and you can make it into a wonderful family-oriented activity.  If you are interested in making gardening a family affair, consider the following ideas to help make your goal a successful one.

Why Children Love to Garden

Children love to create and there's no better way to do so than by sharing in the fun of planting a garden.  Because they also love color, they are naturally drawn to the landscape of a garden.  In addition to that, they also can enjoy the pleasure of watching something grow that they had a hand in preparing.

What to Plant

If you want to enjoy gardening as a family affair, try planting something that the entire family will enjoy.  Everyone loves pretty and colorful flowers.  Plant some bright annuals to liven up your yard.  Then there is always fruit and vegetables. Children and grown-uos alike love strawberries; they are pretty and they taste great on a hot summer day.  Planting strawberries is a terrific way to get your children to join in on the fun of gardening.  In addition, watermelon, apples, pears, oranges and other colorful foods will entice your family into the project.  Don't forget to plant pumpkins for Halloween!  Not only will your children love to watch them grow, but they will also enjoy carving them for decoration.

How Your Child Can Benefit From Gardening

Gardening is a fun way to enjoy an activity with family, but it also teaches your child responsibility.  If he/she is responsible for planting something, it will provide a lesson in patience as the seed turns into a mature plant.  As they water the garden, they will also learn responsibility in that taking care of something is necessary for its health and survival.

Make Gardening Fun for Everyone

If you want to make any family activity fun, everyone in the family must have a specific interest in the project.  In other words, just because you want to plant roses doesn't mean that your child will share in your enthusiasm.  As a family, go out to the store and choose something specific for each individual to plant.  By allowing everyone the freedom of choosing their own project, they will be more likely to enjoy watching it grow and be proud of their achievement.

The Importance of Sharing a Family Activity

One of the greatest things that a family can do together is to spend quality time enjoying a common interest.  Instead of getting lost in a television program or a video game, your family can benefit from gardening by learning one of life's most important lessons - sowing seeds is required to reap a bountiful harvest.

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