Children love playing outdoors, and most little ones enjoy getting dirty. Gardening is a great way to keep your child entertained and active for hours. Letting your child have his or her own set of garden tools will create a sense of independence.

Before you invest in any gardening toys, decide what the toy will be used for. If you want to buy items just for the sake of keeping your child supervised while you garden, consider purchasing only a few basic things. You can save some money by using what you already have. Old kitchen spoons, pots, and strainers make great garden tools. If your goal is to teach your child about the benefits of planting and cultivating a garden, you may want to purchase toys that mimic your gardening implements.

Before making any purchase, check that each toy is age appropriate. Young toddlers should use simple, lightweight, plastic tools, while older children can work with more complicated metal tools. Check each toy for sturdy construction, and avoid sharp edges or detachable pieces. To get the best deals, it is better to do your shopping at the end of the summer or in early spring. Shop around for toys that are gender specific, so your child will feel like the tool belongs solely to him or her. Many garden toy manufacturers sell items with designs tailored for each gender.

Garden Toys for Girls:

Girls enjoy imitating Mom and will take great interest in whatever chores Mom has. To encourage this interest, you can buy matching aprons. Look for cotton canvas ones with adjustable straps that allow for growing room. Kids love putting items in pockets, so buy an apron that has roomy ones for hiding treasures. You can also purchase a garden tote bag with extra large pockets.

Girls love the intricacies of gardening, so pick up smaller tools like shovels, rakes, and trowels. These items can be found in a variety of pretty colours and styles. Instead of purchasing a watering can, look for a spray bottle with fun nozzle shapes.

A good way to incorporate learning is to purchase a garden journal. Your child can keep track of the entire process. Buy a three ring vinyl binder and some plastic page protectors, so the journal can be taken outside.

Garden Toys for Boys:

Boys will appreciate the messy part of gardening. They delight in digging through the dirt, so provide them with tools that allow for investigating. A magnifying glass is ideal. Let your child learn about nature through observation. You can also buy a sturdy flashlight for further exploration.

Your child may find interesting bugs along the way, so pick up a small bug house and an insect identification book. Boys will also enjoy using shovels and hoes to search deep into the earth.

A wheelbarrow is a perfect investment for a boy. Your child can place anything inside it for transport, and he will be able to expend some energy pushing it around the yard. If your child is older, you can buy a pretend power trimmer. These trimmers look and sound just like the real thing. It will allow your child to feel like he is contributing to the serious chores.

With a little creativity, you can find gardening toys that will hold your child’s interest. Gardening is a great way to bond with your child while enjoying the gifts nature has to offer.