A perfect project for 1- and 2-year-olds!
By The Horse
@TheHorse (220068)
Walnut Creek, California
February 20, 2020 6:31pm CST
Yesterday, I had a couple of kids water our plants with a big bucket that had cracked and was ready for the dumpster.
Three snow peas have poked through, and we planted some corn, green beans, and sunflowers over the past couple of days.
Today, the kids saw me watering the plants and asked if they could do the same. I said, "There are several buckets in the sandbox. Grab them and bring them over."
All of the kids there (it was near pickup time) grabbed buckets, came to where I was with the hose, and took about an inch of water each to the "garden."
They proudly watered the mint and snow peas, and kept coming back for more water until it was time for me to go home.
Only one kid, a young 2-year-old, cried when it was time to stop.
So now the kids are "invetested" in our garden. I love getting kids involved in "farming" early.
15 people like this
16 responses
@TheHorse (220068)
• Walnut Creek, California
21 Feb 20
It was extra special when I did it with really poor kids in Oakland. I was the only "daddy" most of them had ever known. But there's that part of me that wonders, am I just "pissing in the wind" or am I actually making a difference for future generations.
2 people like this
@TheHorse (220068)
• Walnut Creek, California
21 Feb 20
@DianneN I hope so. Have you had conversations with your friends who are "save the world" types? Do they ever feel frustrated, as I do sometimes? For the most part, I feel good about what I've done, and I sleep well. But I also sometimes feel like I'm just a drop in a bucket.
2 people like this
@wolfgirl569 (107864)
• Marion, Ohio
21 Feb 20
Thats great. The last time I let Monster try to help she wanted to spray me.
2 people like this
@wolfgirl569 (107864)
• Marion, Ohio
21 Feb 20
@TheHorse It was last summer. Yes I did. I was washing some plastic off to so I showed her how to slide and splash on that.
1 person likes this
@TheHorse (220068)
• Walnut Creek, California
22 Feb 20
@wolfgirl569 Heh. I bet she was delighted.
1 person likes this
@petatonicsca (7070)
• Japan
21 Feb 20
Japanese elementary schools have gardens and the kids are expected to tend them even during summer break. They have a rotation schedule.
2 people like this
@arunima25 (87855)
• Bangalore, India
21 Feb 20
That's a wonderful activity. I have seen that young children enjoy gardening and cooking a lot. They find pleasure in doing so. 
2 people like this
@arunima25 (87855)
• Bangalore, India
26 Feb 20
@TheHorse Yes. They both have so much of sense of life in it
@BarBaraPrz (47618)
• St. Catharines, Ontario
21 Feb 20
Is that grass or chives in with the snow peas?
1 person likes this
When you have the harvest, I hope you could invited these kids to help you. I am sure it will make everybody happy
Their bright smiles are like angels
@averygirl72 (37845)
• Philippines
13 Mar 20
That's nice and fun working with very young kids
1 person likes this
@averygirl72 (37845)
• Philippines
13 Mar 20
@TheHorse How nice. You seem to be working a lot with kids. Is that your job?
@RasmaSandra (80635)
• Daytona Beach, Florida
21 Feb 20
That is a wonderful activity for children.
1 person likes this
@FourWalls (68884)
• United States
21 Feb 20
Wait until you introduce them to the concept of "pulling weeds."
1 person likes this
@almostoveryou (4805)
• Philippines
21 Feb 20
I taught my kids to plant vegetables and water the garden regularly. Until now they are very fond of gardening. It's a great activity for young and old alike.
1 person likes this
