Interacting and developing a relationship with nature is incredibly important for children. Instilling a love for our natural habitat teaches your little ones respect for all the aspects our beautiful Earth has to offer. There are plenty of ways to encourage your child to develop a fondness for our natural surroundings, and while they are learning, they can also have fun! Kids garden toys can help your little ones enjoy a wonderful range of nature activities for kids.
Activities for ‘in the garden’
Get your children out into the garden and engaging with nature by creating fun games and activities for them to participate in while learning and having fun.
A great way to get your children to step outside, breathe the fresh air and engage with beautiful Mother Nature is by creating ‘garden creatures’ with them.
Take a stroll around the garden together and gather as many different colourful items as you can find – leaves, flowers, bark – the options are endless. As you stroll, write each item down on a sheet of paper.
Once you are content that you have gathered enough different items it’s time to go back inside and get creative. Glue the various items onto some blank paper then using a black marker add some arms and legs to create individual characters. Finish them off with some googly eyes for extra personality. Once they are complete, store them in a flower press (or even a heavy weighted book) for safekeeping.
Flower presses – kids garden toys
At Little Snail we have a beautifully crafted Flower Press from the Le Jardin collection. The process of collecting and then pressing plants is a great way to encourage children to engage with the natural world. The pressing and preservation of leaves and flowers will also provide your child with a wonderful sense of accomplishment.
Have fun in the city
Perhaps you live in the city and do not have immediate access to acres of gardens, but your children can still develop an understanding and awareness of nature. Many cities in Australia have Botanical Gardens that you can visit for no cost and spend hours wandering around the beautiful properties. Try naming as many plants and flowers as you can. Hint – Google is your friend.
For at-home activities, try growing your own flowers, fruits, and vegetables in planter boxes. These neat and tidy boxes can quite often be mounted on an outside (or inside) wall for viewing pleasure. Growing their own piece of nature is a very rewarding activity for children. Consult your local garden shop or have older children research what plants can flourish best in your local climate. Then have your children care for their plants and watch with pleasure as their project grows.
At Little Snail we offer a great range of kids garden toys, tools and accessories – perfectly designed for little hands such as our Le Jardin toolset and gardening apron.
Gardening inside (is that a thing?)
Yes – gardening or at least learning about nature inside is very popular with various games, puzzles, and activities available. It might be cold and rainy outside, but your child can still be learning about nature from the inside. Nature activities for kids can also happen all year round. At Little Snail we offer a vast range of kids garden toys and nature-related games and activities that are both educational and fun.
Our Le Jardin ‘Picnic in the Garden’ game is ideal for teaching children about fruit and vegetables. Players must navigate the board, collecting supplies along the way to fill up their basket with produce for a picnic.
For younger children, our Le Jardin Insect Dominoes game is perfect for getting children to name different garden creatures and teaches counting skills at the same time.
Simple tips for gardening with your little one
Getting your child enthusiastic about gardening might seem daunting but there are some simple tips you can follow to help the process and encourage kids nature activities.
1. Plant fruits and vegetables that grow quickly.
Your child will be more enthusiastic about following the process through if the reward comes quickly. Plant fruits and vegetables that will grow in a speedy manner, so your child doesn’t have to wait months to see the rewards of their hard work.
2. Give them their own space.
Select a patch in your garden that your child can take complete ownership of – this encourages them to take pride in their personal plants and flowers.
3. Create a watering ritual.
Get your child to follow a watering routine so that the garden is watered at the same time every day. This creates a schedule and helps develop discipline.
4. Create a fairy garden
Designate a specific area in your garden and turn it into a magical fairy garden. Decorate it with inexpensive props such as mini figurines and toys that can be purchase from local discount stores or with things that can be found around the house.
5. Talk to the experts.
A trip to a local farm or gardening store to talk to an expert can really boost a child’s enthusiasm. Let them ask questions and explore the wealth of knowledge the professionals have to offer.
6. Remember to make it fun
The most important thing when trying to instil a love for nature and the outdoors is to make it fun. Gardening can be hard work, but with the right attitude, it can also be very rewarding and a lot of fun.
Getting up close with little garden critters
Some children love insects, some are terrified, but by collecting little critters from around the garden, your child can learn more about nature than from any book.
Collect some mysterious creatures, store them in an ethical container, and treat them like pets.
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At Little Snail we offer an insect magnifier consisting of a small jar with a magnifying glass lid to get up close with some of nature’s tiniest wonders.
Safety tips
To keep your child safe in the garden, remember to always supervise. Keep harmful chemicals stored away safely, wear gloves and masks when necessary, always wash their hands after gardening, be water-wise around buckets and ponds, and be sun smart with hats, sunscreen and protective clothing.
Little Snail kids garden toys
At Little Snail we offer a wide range of garden-related products. Our Le Jardin range from Moulin Roty has everything from games to tools, sticker books to binoculars. Click on the link below to explore the entire Le Jardin range.