Gardening Interests for Kids Hawaii

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(NC)—In the electronic age of Ipods, computers, and T.V. channels that run into the hundreds, it can be almost impossible to engage your kids in the outdoors. Playing in the fresh air and spending time outside is becoming more rare for many kids.

With summer at hand, it's time to introduce your kids to the miracle of nature. Unlike electronic gadgets, nature is never outdated or obsolete. An easy way to do this is to help your kids develop an appreciation for gardening to get them outdoors and enjoying nature.

You can start by growing something fun like a pumpkin. Your kids will have a chance to water it and watch it grow all season long. And then harvest it in time for Halloween carving or painting.

You can also open their eyes to the importance gardening plays to children around the world. Through organizations like Christian Children's Fund of Canada (CCFC), an international children's charity, you can set up a brother or sister garden where you and your child provide a vegetable seed kit to a family in a developing country while growing the same items here. Children will take interest in checking on their plants and wondering how the other family's vegetables are doing too. You can visit www.ccfcanada.ca and search the gift catalogue for garden growing items.

And finally, consider planting a fruit tree in your garden to attract butterflies. Butterflies love ripe, even fermenting fruit. Your kids will be the first to want to get outside and pick the fruits as well as enjoy the butterflies fluttering about.

- News Canada