Through the Looking Glass Children's Book Reviews
Kids' Garden: 40 Fun Indoor and Outdoor Activities and Games
Illustrator: Roberta Arenson
Novelty Kit
For ages 6 to 8
Barefoot Books, 2010 ISBN: 978-1846863677
Many children have the impression that gardening is boring. How can digging in the dirt be fun? Well, the truth of it is that digging in the dirt is fun, and there are all kinds of interesting things that you can do that are garden related. There are even things you can do indoors.
In this kit, children will find forty activity cards that are divided into five categories. The “Exploring the Garden” category cards show children that a garden is a great place to spend time. It is a place where you can play games like pumpkin leapfrog, and it also a place where you can go when you need a little downtime. You can create a “Magic Spot” where you can sit and watch what is going on around you. If you do this you will soon discover that gardens are very busy places.
Who is busy in a garden? Well, check out the “Discovering Creatures” cards to find out. These cards will show you how to learn about the critters that live in a garden. You can build a bird blind so that you can watch birds without scaring them away, or host a critter race to see which of your critter ‘guests’ one moves the fastest.
Plants may seem dull because they can’t move around like animals can, but growing them can be a lot of fun. The “Fun with Plants” cards will show children that plants have their own appeal. With this cards in hand children can learn how make a bean teepee, plant a terrarium, and plant a “sock garden.”
The “Planting and Growing” activities will show you how to create different kinds of gardens, and help you to understand how plants grow. If you want to attract insects to your garden then you can make a “Garden Helpers Bed.” If you are a pizza fan, then the Pizza bed is going to be the project for you.
For creative people there is a set of “Creating Garden Art” cards. Most of the activities on these cards can be done either indoors or outdoors. Among other things, children will learn how to make stone paperweights, flower prints, and corn-husk dolls.
With easy to follow instructions and colorful illustrations on each activity card, this kit would make a great gift for a child who likes (or needs) to spend time outdoors. The activities are so varied in nature that everyone will find a project that will suit them. Children will learn a great deal about gardening, creativity, and nature as they try the projects.
