Your guide to activities and fun things to do with your preschoolers, toddlers and kids in columbus, OH

Time To Start That Garden

April 30, 2009

Now that the weather is warming up and the threat of frost is getting smaller each day, I'm itching to start a garden. With the economic downturn and my daughter's interest in learning how things grow, planting a garden so we can harvest our our fruits and vegetables seems like a smart idea. Have you considered starting a victory garden of your own?

If you have a decent-sized backyard, you can select a small area to convert into a garden. My soil is hard clay (like much of Columbus), so I had to add several bags of top soil and some peat moss to create a workable garden. I also bought some landscape timbers to outline the garden and separate it from the rest of the yard. If you don't have any backyard to spare, or you live in an apartment, you can still grow vegetables with pots or planters, some soil and a little sun and water. Last year I grew lettuce and peppers quite successfully from a small planter.

To make this a fun family event, let your preschooler help you dig and mix the soil while preparing the garden. Most garden stores sell kid-sized gardening tools so they can dig and hoe to their satisfaction. You can also ask your child to help choose what to plant - some ideas for good Ohio-weather plants including peppers, spinach, cucumbers, strawberries, zucchini, carrots, and green beans. Many herbs also grow easily and quickly, and make great plants for your child to be assigned to care for.

Set up a chart detailing the care needed for a garden, including planting, watering, and weeding. Few kids can resist a watering can and some thirsty plants, so you'll likely have an eager helper. With a little time and TLC, you'll be cooking up some of your homegrown veggies this summer. And hopefully, the thrill of growing your own food might tempt even the most picky preschooler to try some new foods! 

Staying Cool in the Heat

by Christina Mack

August 26, 2008

My older daughter can't play outside for more than 10 minutes without complaining that she's hot. I often think it's a clever plan to make me turn on the hose and fill up her splash mat, but some days it can get pretty hot outside. Instead of falling back on the same sprinkler or pool, maybe it's time to think up some new ways to cool off. Here are some ideas for playing outside without  Read more...

Buried treasure

by Christina Mack

August 08, 2008

Yesterday I gave some ideas on how your preschooler can dress up and play pirate . But we all know the thing pirates want to do more than anything else in the world is search for buried treasure. Why not give in to your child's desire and put together your very own treasure hunt! First, you'll need to gather trinkets. You can either stop by a dollar store near you to pick up some  Read more...

Visit A Far-Off Land Without Leaving Your Backyard

by Christina Mack

July 17, 2008

Photo credit: Wikimedia Commons Isn't it amazing how a simple backyard can be so many things to an imaginative preschooler? When she's digging in her sandbox, our backyard is a beach. When she's kicking her soccer ball around, the yard is a soccer field. And sometimes the yard is a jungle where she looks for wild animals (and a not-so-subtle hint to us that it's time to mow the grass).  Read more...

Go Camping in Your Own Backyard

by Christina Mack

June 27, 2008

I recently discovered that tomorrow, June 28th, is the date for the Great American Backyard Campout . Organized by the National Wildlife Federation, this annual event brings awareness to outdoor family activities and learning about our natural world. Personally, I think this is a great excuse to pitch a tent in the backyard and make s'mores. For my preschooler, camping is a really fun  Read more...

Growing Your Own Container Garden

by Christina Mack

June 25, 2008

I was at the grocery a few days ago, lamenting the price of food and how our grocery bill seems to be higher each week, when I came to a realization: why are we paying for some of this when we can grow it ourselves? I grew up with fresh vegetables coming from my mom's garden every summer. Somehow her green thumb didn't rub off on me, though, and I've never had my own garden. But Cordy  Read more...

Beat the Heat With A Splash

by Christina Mack

June 06, 2008

Have you seen the forecast for the next week? It's going to be hot! When the weather gets this hot, there are two options: stay in the air conditioning, or find a way to incorporate water with outdoor play. I generally prefer the air-conditioned option, but my daughter loves being outdoors, so we often have to find new ways to play outside in the heat yet stay cool. Columbus has ten public  Read more...