Tips for Parents & Families

Gardening With Kids: How It Affects Your Child's Brain, Body, and Soul

For parents struggling to find ways to encourage their kids to eat a healthy diet, gardening can be an important tool. Don’t let the idea overwhelm you. Gardening doesn’t require a perfectly level, large or sunny backyard; a few containers and soil in a sunny spot can be a perfect place to grow some herbs or some sweet cherry tomatoes. And, the much bigger return is how planting a garden can affect not only your child’s body but also their brain and soul.

Nature as Stress Relief for Kids

While watching a group of ants might feel exceptionally boring to an adult with a long worry list in mind, time observing nature gives kids a much-needed break. Nature play, or time spent in nature, boasts many benefits. One study showed that access to natural areas — for elementary and high school students — is associated with reduced stress, increased focus and competence, and the ability to form supportive social groups.

Growing Your Own Greens

We help kids eat better by connecting them to food, sparking their curiosity, and inspiring them to make healthier choices. And there are lots of ways you can too. One fun approach is by growing leafy greens at home with your child.

Why greens? Green vegetables — especially dark leafy greens like kale, spinach, and arugula — are packed with nutrients including fiber. So, greens make you feel full while staying low in calories. And bonus: Greens are easy to grow. (There is no better way to fuel a child’s enthusiasm for tending a garden than to see results quickly!)

Dig In! Picture Books for the Spring Garden

Spring is in the air! It’s a great time to think about gardening, especially with children. There are many wonderful picture books to introduce young readers to gardening. Here are a few of my favorites, for toddlers to new readers, that help us spot signs of spring, learn all about seeds, dream up our best spring gardens, and get inspired to plant.