Anyone else have trouble tearing their kids away from electronics?
Anyone?
Anyone?
Is it just me?
I want my kids to be excited about the things we plant and grow around here, but honestly, even for a farmer, that is hard sometimes.
For me, all the plants we grow are important but I have found a fondness for herbs. I’m not sure what it is about them that draw me in. Maybe it is because they have so many uses. From food, to medicine, to attracting animals it seems that there is no end to their beauty.
But kids don’t necessarily care about all that. They want to be entertained. So if I can learn to speak their language when it comes to plants, I’m gonna try.
Here are 6 ways to get your kids excited about herbs (and frankly plants in general):
- Food anyone? It seems like kids are ALWAYS hungry. So speak the language of food. Make some new recipes with them. It doesn’t have to be complicated. It can be as simple as making homemade marinara sauce and adding fresh basil.
My kids LOVE this simple recipe that we use for our homemade pizzas. You can even sprinkle chopped basil on the pizza itself
- 15 oz tomato sauce
- 2 TBSP olive oil
- Salt and garlic powder to taste
- Chopped, fresh basil to taste. (I usually use a handful)
Put everything in a post and let it simmer and reduce to thicken.
- Plan the garden together. Heck, it doesn’t even have to be a garden. It can be some pots on the porch, just do it with them. Find a recipe that motivates them, like pizza, and plant the herbs and veggies they want to use for the pizza.
- Get crafty. I don’t know very many kids that don’t enjoy crafts. There are soooooo many crafts that involve natural objects. You can do leaf rubbings, use clay to do imprints, pressed flowers, etc. Really the list is endless and internet if FULL of ideas.
- Go on a scavenger hunt. This is a great one to get kids outside and moving. Plus different times of the year, give you different treasures to find. You can download a FREE scavenger hunt list HERE
- Self-care. What better way to show kids how to use herbs than to allow them to see how they can make a difference to their health? It’s one thing to see it help someone else, but to actually see how it makes a difference in them; well that is a whole new ballgame. One of my favorite herbs is calendula (you can learn more about calendula HERE). I infuse it into oil and I use it not only in the soap that I make but also for my kids. I will put it in a roll on applicator with some essential oils to stop the itching from bug bits. The calendula helps with healing and inflammation. The kids know exactly what to reach for when the itching starts.
There are all kinds of things to make, from lip balm to bath salts. Let your kids pick what they would like to do!
- Have a tea party. Well, this might only be for the girls, but ya never know, the boys might like it too. There are so many herbs that are used in teas, especially mints. Mints are super easy to grow (really, you can’t kill them) and they have lots of different flavors. Turn it into an afternoon thing. Use special cups and snacks. Tell them what the different herbs can do for them. Use chamomile for relaxing, for example.
Well, there you have it!
We grow lots of herbs here on the farm. You are more than welcome to come out and pick some and try your hand at a few of these ideas.
Or maybe you have some of your own that you have used to get your kids motivated about plants. Comment below and let me know what they are.
Don’t forget to download your FREE scavenger hunt HERE. I would love to know what your kids thought of it!