Katrena's Indoor Scavenger Hunt #2 – Free Clues, Directions, and Answers

Free Rhyming Scavenger Hunt Clues and Answers © Katrena

Scavengers hunts are always a hit at my house. This indoor treasure hunt challenges the kids with rhyming clues that will get them searching throughout the house. The red word in each clue gives a hint for the answer because the answer rhymes with or sounds very similar to that word.

Directions for Katrena's Indoor Scavenger Hunt #2:

1. Print clues #1-10 (click on the image to enlarge and then select "file" and "print") and cut on the lines.
2. Keep clue #1.
3. Hide clue #2 at the answer for clue #1.
4. Hide clue #3 at the answer for clue #2.
5. Hide clue #4 at the answer for clue #3.
6. Hide clue #5 at the answer for clue #4.
7. Hide clue #6 at the answer for clue #5.
8. Hide clue #7 at the answer for clue #6.
9. Hide clue #8 at the answer for clue #7.
10. Hide clue #9 at the answer for clue #8.
11. Hide clue #10 at the answer for clue #9.
12. Place prize or reward at the answer for clue #10.
13. Give clue #1 to the person(s) doing the scavenger hunt.

If you have kids of various ages, you might want to have them work together as a team or take turns solving and searching for the clues.

Clues for the scavenger hunt (I have copied and pasted the clues as well as creating a screen shot):

Free Treasure Hunt clues - Click on the image to enlarge before printing © Katrena

CLUE #1 These things are quite useful if you wish to eat soup. Use two of them to play tunes. It is not a fork or a knife you are looking for… Find your next clue in a drawer with the ______!	CLUE #2 These things might be quite a few different colors. They might even get covered in dirt. They cover your back and your shoulders. The next clue is hidden in a drawer that holds ______!
CLUE #3 This thing has lots of keys, But they won’t play a chord. Instead they have letters and numbers. The next clue is near the ______!	CLUE #4 You might open these up on warm spring days, But they will be shut tight when the temperature is zero. It is something you look through to see outside. You’ll find the next clue on a ________!
CLUE #5 Perhaps you have worked up an appetite from all this searching? Is it food you now crave? Maybe you should heat up a snack…. The next clue is in the _____!	CLUE #6 This thing is quite useful for brushing, but please don't use it on your hair. Maybe you forget to brush with it if you are in a rush. It has a handle and bristles… The next clue is hidden near your _______!
CLUE #7 This thing just lies around on the floor, If it were a person, it might be called a slug. Instead you might wipe your feet on it. The next clue can be found near the _____!	CLUE #8 Perhaps you need more than a rug to get clean… This looks like a case of rub-a-dub-dub! Perhaps rubber ducky can find the next clue. It just might be in the _____!
CLUE #9 This thing may get quite full, It might hold dolls or trucks or blocks. It can be useful for holding items that you don't want sitting out. Maybe you’ll find the next clue in the ______!	CLUE #10 After all this work, you might need to rest. Are your feet telling you “Ouch?” This thing has cushions and is a great place to sit. Find the last item somewhere near the ______!

 Answers for the scavenger hunt:

CLUE #1 ANSWER Spoons	CLUE #2 ANSWER Shirt
CLUE #3 ANSWER Keyboard	CLUE #4 ANSWER Window
CLUE #5 ANSWER Microwave	CLUE #6 ANSWER Toothbrush
CLUE #7 ANSWER Rug	CLUE #8 ANSWER Bathtub
CLUE #9 ANSWER Toybox	CLUE #10 ANSWER Couch

Printable rewards: 

Treasure Hunt Rewards - Click on the image to enlarge before printing © Katrena

Check out my Wildflower Bouquets site map for additional scavenger hunts, printables, and other fun ideas.

Tips for Camping With Kids – Practical Ways to Plan for a Great Family Vacation

The Joy of Camping With Kids - © Katrena

Many families have discovered the great joy of camping with the kids. This type of vacation can be an awesome way to get away, enjoy nature, and spend time together. Whether you are putting up a pup tent in the back yard, staying at a campground, or going the primitive route, perhaps these tips will help you to avoid common camping pitfalls and enjoy the moments of which memories are made.

Practical Tips for Camping With Kids © Katrena

Benefits of Camping

Many people find they can save money by camping. Popular destinations like the beach are often a fraction of the cost of a hotel room or renting a home in a similar area. Those who like to rough it on primitive sites can often find the cheapest rates. In addition, the tent campers tend to save money on gasoline en route. Extras like electricity, water, sewer hook-up, satellite, wifi, etc. may cost more, but they may be worth the extra expense for many folks.

Educational Opportunities on Vacation © Katrena

Kids can learn many valuable skills while camping. The children can provide valuable input in the planning stages and have the opportunity to learn about teamwork as you set up camp. Children can learn new skills like how to build, cook over, and put out a fire and safety tips such as how to avoid sunburn and properly store foods while camping. The whole family can learn about the history of the area as well as information about native animals and plants, such as what to do if they see a wild animal and how to identify poison ivy. This can also be a great opportunity to demonstrate care for the environment through "green" camping.

As a mother of three children with multiple food sensitivities, camping is particularly well-suited for us because we are packing our own food and supplies for cooking. We are not paying for a "free" breakfast that the kids cannot eat at a hotel. Since my children also have asthma, I bring supplies for cooking that do not involve a fire since I know that smoke tends to set off their breathing problems. It's okay – we just do what works for us. I ensure that the site has electricity before making reservations and bring two extension cords and a power strip because electrical cooking supplies have the potential to overload the circuit – I learned that the hard way with our first camping trip!

How to Find Pet-Friendly Vacation Destinations © Katrena

Those who enjoy taking pets on vacation are more likely to find campgrounds that are pet-friendly than hotels that allow animals. Some parks and campgrounds provide facilities for equestrian camping year-round or seasonally. One of the favorite parts of our vacations is meeting other campers and learning about their animals. We have met service dogs, show dogs, rescued dogs, and many other pets and their owners often share wonderful stories about themselves and their furry friends.

Enjoy Nature While Camping With Kids © Katrena

Campers tend to be very willing to help others and are often quite friendly. The pace tends to be slower, and often campers keep an eye out for one another. We have made lasting friendships at campgrounds – many campers coordinate their vacations with others they have met while on previous vacations. I keep up with several of my campground friends via Facebook and email after we arrive back home.

Some might think I am crazy to camp alone with the girls, but I have discovered an inner strength and have been able to demonstrate to my daughters that we are quite capable of working together to solve any problems that come our way. Life's challenges often bring out the best in people, and the experience may serve to strengthen our character. We have also been quite grateful when other campers have offered a helping hand at just the right time. It is quite alright to eat humble pie while camping...and then we can pay it forward to someone else!

How to Plan a Family Vacation © Katrena

Planning a Camping Trip

Choosing a destination can be a fun way to begin a vacation. Even if you are planning to camp in the great outdoors on the lawn out back, the excitement can build as everyone begins to anticipate the date. The surroundings pale in comparison to those with whom you are spending the time. One of my kids mentioned that she liked Disney World almost as much as she liked shopping at Walmart with me...there you go. If I had just known that before heading south!

Find Fun Things to do on Vacation While Camping © Katrena

Many campgrounds now offer web sites with details about their sites. Check regulations and rules of the campground. Many that used to be first come, first served now take reservations. Some may have requirements related to the use of firewood; most have rules regarding pets; and many lock their gates at night.

Before making a reservation, ensure that the site:

• is large enough to accommodate your needs (some campgrounds charge extra depending on the number in the party and may limit the number of vehicles per site but it still might be cheaper to reserve two campsites than to rent a house or stay in a hotel)
• offers whatever amenities you prefer (water, electricity, sewer, pull-through, level ground, etc.)
• is available during the time desired (some campgrounds fill up months in advance, particularly if a special event is in the area at the time or if it has great rates – those who have their hearts set on a particular campground may find that they can camp a night or two on one site and then move to another site for an additional night or two and some campgrounds offer waiting lists)
• is in the area of the campground you prefer (small kids may particularly appreciate a site in close vicinity to restroom facilities and near a playground if available)

Supplies for Camping © Katrena

Preparing and Packing Supplies for the Vacation

Ensure that the camper or tent is in good condition and dry before packing if possible. Areas that are wet when packed tend to leak. It helps to set up a tent or pop-up a few days before the vacation to ensure that no vital parts are missing and that everything is in good working order. This can also serve as a refresher course for those who have not set one up in a while.

Tips for Having a Smooth Family Vacation © Katrena

Thoroughly check the vehicle(s) to ensure that fluid levels are appropriate, tire pressure is adequate, and any problems are corrected before leaving. Nothing can put a damper on a vacation than breaking down halfway to the destination. Plan to leave with plenty of time to reach the campground before dark, planning for several stops along the way to re-fuel, stretch everyone's legs, and allow for plenty of bathroom breaks.

Traveling to the campground can also be an adventure. I like to pack a few simple surprises, like new music, cool book on CD, bubbles for blowing at the rest area, travel games, etc. so that the children can enjoy the ride a bit more. If you have a child who tends to get carsick, it can be helpful to have supplies readily available in the car. You might also want to choose destinations that are closer and have less twists and turns, plan for extra stops, and adjust eating times so that you are not combining a full stomach with a long road trip.

Vacation Packing Tips © Katrena

Make a list of all supplies you plan to pack. It is easy to forget items like a flashlight and batteries, washcloths and towels, soap and shampoo, a can opener, clothesline and clothespins, oven mitt, dishpan and dishwashing liquid, matches or a lighter, first aid supplies, bug spray, suntan lotion, etc., particularly if new to camping. Many of these items may be available at the campground store, but they will usually be paired with a pretty price.

I like to pack supplies in the pop-up several days before the big day to cut down on the chaos. My kids love to help pack for vacations. Make sure to double-check what the children have packed. Their definition of appropriate attire for camping might be rather different from your own. They may also be more concerned with packing Barbie dolls than underwear.

What to do on a Vacation © Katrena

Choosing an Itinerary

You may wish to plan a few outings where you can enjoy the sites near the campground. The area's Chamber of Commerce can be a great place to begin searching for ideas. Campground web sites may give links for nearby areas of interest, and the campground may offer a variety of fun and educational opportunities. I have found that state parks often do a great job with educational programs at and near campgrounds. Travel blogs and review sites may offer great ideas for the popular destinations and also those gems that may offer a pleasant surprise. Asking about areas via social media can also be a great way to learn from those who know the area best – just be careful not to announce to the world when you plan to be away from home!

It can be just as important to leave lots of opportunities in the plan to simply relax and enjoy spur-of-the-moment times together. We like to pack bikes and enjoy cruising through the campground or might simply go for several walks together each day. We will typically meet a few other campers and may even see a deer, butterflies, or an awesome sunset. Making wonderful memories together is not always a planned event. You may wish to plan to hike, bike, swim, kayak, go tubing, or find other ways to enjoy the natural beauty of the area from various vantage points.

Working Around the Weather While Camping © Katrena

Weather conditions may dictate what one does on vacation while camping. Check weather reports for the area and plan accordingly. If the campground site is prone to flooding, it is helpful to have a back-up plan, especially if you are tent camping. Packing extra clothing and warm blankets can be a great help if temperatures take a nosedive.

Wild animals are often abundant while camping. Ensure that all food is stored appropriately. Raccoons, for example, are often quite adept at opening coolers and feasting on one's food while everyone is asleep. Mosquitoes are often prevalent during warmer months, and I have found mosquito repellent to be very helpful on all of my camping trips. If your kids have sensitive skin and/or allergies, it is a good idea to check ingredients and give any lotions or spray a test drive before the big date.

Wild Animals Near Campground © Katrena

Camping With Children

I have found camping with my kids to be an amazing opportunity to unwind, unplug, and create something special for all of us to remember. I love to pack my camera and try to capture just a few of those wonderful memories to share with my family and hope that by sharing some of my tips that you too will find camping to be a great way to vacation with your family!

Find additional articles, tips, and free printables and scavenger hunts at the Wildflower Bouquets site map. Visit my Travel NC With Kids blog for great kid-friendly things to do in North Carolina.

How to Enjoy a Family-friendly Vacation © Katrena

Easter Scavenger Egg Hunt – Free Clues and Answers

Easter Egg Scavenger Hunt With Clues and Answers

Looking for a new twist on an Easter egg hunt that will challenge the older kids? This Easter egg scavenger hunt includes puzzles to encourage the kids to think creatively as they attempt to solve the riddles before hunting the egg. This scavenger hunt works particularly well with older kids, and you can pair the older kids with younger children if you have a mixed group.

Some of the terms may be unfamiliar to children, so this hunt is a great opportunity to education children about the Easter story and how the words fit into the biblical account.

How to play the Easter scavenger egg hunt:

1. Hide 12 eggs for each child/team when the children are not in the area.
2. Give each child/team a copy of clues #1 and #2 (click on the image to enlarge the graphic before printing).
3. Have the kids to solve each riddle and write their answers on the blank section on the right.
4. The kids may hunt one egg for each correct answer - give hints if needed!

Here is page one of clues for the Easter egg scavenger hunt:

Katrena's Free Easter Egg Scavenger Hunt Clues Page1

 Here is page two of clues for the Easter egg scavenger hunt:

Katrena's Free Easter Egg Scavenger Hunt Clues Page 2

These are the answers for the Easter egg puzzle questions:

Answers for Katrena's Free Easter Egg Scavenger Hunt

You may also wish to read:

• How to Plan an Easter Egg Hunt Without a Brawl
• Easter Scavenger Hunt With Rhyming Clues 
• Easter Scavenger Hunt Based on the Gospel of Mark
• Katrena's Scavenger Hunts (here's a link to all of them!)

Find more scavenger hunts, printables, and other fun ways to connect with the family at the Wildflower Bouquets site map.

How to Enjoy Hummingbirds With Kids – Quality Time and Practical Learning Opportunity

How to Attract Hummingbirds © Katrena

As April approaches, you can probably find me checking my cabinets to see that I have plenty of granulated sugar. The sweet stuff is not for me, it is for the birds. Literally.

I love to feed and attract hummingbirds. When I check migration maps and see that ruby-throated hummingbirds have been seen near where I live, I want to be ready! Feeding hummingbirds can be a great learning opportunity for the kids, and I have found that feeding wildlife can be a fun family activity.

Easy Clean Hummingbird Feeder © Katrena

Choosing a Hummingbird Feeder

When choosing a feeder, I found that it is easier to pick one with a wide top that will come completely apart for cleaning. Sugar water can quickly mold, especially in the hot summer weather in North Carolina. Cleaning feeders is my least favorite part of the project, but when doing it together with the kids, you can teach them about the importance of protecting the birds' safety. Regularly cleaning the feeders and changing the food frequently is recommended.

I have a friend who has so many hummers that her husband ended up refilling the feeders every 15 minutes at one point last summer. She said that her birds particularly like the feeders that sort of look like test tubes. They are a little harder to clean but may be worth the effort if you are looking to attract large numbers.

How to Make Hummingbird Food

Recipe for Hummer Food © Katrena

I make my own hummingbird food. I know it is fresh and without dyes. I use four parts water to one part granulated sugar. I boil the water first, take it off the heat, and add the sugar, stirring until the sugar is completely dissolved.

Here's a quick chart for varying amounts of hummer food:

Sugar	Water
1/2 cup	2 cups
1 cup	4 cups
2 cups	8 cups

This can be a great opportunity for the kids to learn a little math. My four-year-old may help count the number of cups. I might ask the older kids questions like "If I'm boiling 12 cups of water, how many cups of sugar do I need?" after giving them the ratio. This can be a fun way to practice graphing. I particularly like the Kids' Zone Create a Graph web site. You can also graph bird sightings by day or hour.

After making the hummingbird sugar water, I let it cool before transferring to my feeders. The kids can help with this – it is easier to pour outside if spilling is likely. My kids love to use the funnel when putting the rest in a jug for later use.

How to Store Hummingbird Nectar © Katrena

 How to Store Hummingbird Nectar

Store hummingbird food in the refrigerator. The How to Enjoy Hummingbirds web site lists recommendations for cleaning feeders and the frequency of changing the food in the feeders and states that excess nectar can be stored in the refrigerator for two weeks. My friends who attract large numbers of birds say that changing the nectar frequently is the key to great success. Hummingbird sugar water can even mold in the refrigerator. Don't ask me how I know that interesting tidbit of information.

Hummer food storage gets a little tricky at my house because we tend to use a 2-liter bottle if we are making the 2/8 ratio above. The leftover amount typically fits nicely into the 2-liter, but more than once a family member has been known to pour a big glass and take a nice swig of the sweet stuff!

Label Hummingbird Food to Avoid Drinking It! © Katrena

How to Avoid Drinking Hummingbird Sugar Water

An easy solution to the accidental hummer food drinking is to make a bright label. The kids can get creative with this! I use wide packing tape and completely cover the label with the clear tape so I do not have to make a new one every time I wash the storage container.

I love to plant flowers and this can also be a wonderful opportunity to teach the kids gardening skills while planting flowers that attract hummers the natural way.

Watching Hummingbirds - Great Way to Connect With Kids © Katrena

Enjoy Watching Hummingbirds With the Kids

Finally, the favorite part! Watching the hummingbirds can be quite a treat. Yes, it can be a lesson in patience as they typically do not magically appear at the beginning of the season as soon as the feeders are hung unless your neighbor happens to be an avid birder.

My girls and I love to sit on the porch in a big swing and watch the birds as they feed and interact. They sometimes giggle and say how silly the birds are to fight when there is plenty for all of them...ah, that's another article altogether and perhaps another lesson in life!

Check out the Wildflower Bouquets site map for more articles about connecting with kids, scavenger hunt clues, printables, and more!

How to Plan an Easter Egg Hunt Without a Brawl

Family East Egg Hunt © Katrena

Ah...Spring is in the air and the Easter season is fast approaching. Many churches, schools, community recreation programs, gyms, and others may be offering egg hunts.

I remember Easter egg hunts well when I was a kid. We lived very near the elementary school, and the whole school class would come over toting milk jug Easter baskets filled with green plastic grass. Everyone would have a blast hunting eggs in our yard. Mom loves to tell the story of the little boy who said he was done hunting eggs long before the others. Upon further probing, he said "I can't eat any more!" That was before plastic eggs became the norm for hunts!

Tips for a Fun Egg Hunt © Katrena

A mom of three children, I've been to my share of hunts. I've seen a lot of pushing, shoving, hair-pulling, ear-biting, foot-stomping, nose-tweaking, name-calling, and worse at hunts....and that's not even mentioning the behavior of the kids. Sometimes my kids have emerged from an egg hunt looking like they participated in a heated hockey game with about four and a half plastic eggs, a chipped tooth, and holes in both knees of their pants. Well, perhaps I am exaggerating just a bit, but some hunts have been anything but enjoyable.

Egg hunts can be as simple as hiding several plastic eggs in the living room or as extravagant as dropping 1,000 eggs from a helicopter or hiding glow-in-the-dark eggs in a swimming pool after dark. Any egg hunt can be fun and entertaining, but they can also be disastrous and even dangerous.

How to Plan an Easter Egg Hunt © Katrena

Before the Hunt

It helps to have plenty of eggs for the anticipated crowd as well as supplies for any related programs such as crafts, refreshments, educational program, story time, photo opportunities, etc. If separating the hunting areas by age, mark boundaries and hide the eggs according to developmental levels.

Decide whether or not you wish to hide surprises in the eggs...one of my favorites when I was a kid was the local American Legion hunt where each egg had a quarter inside. A preschool teacher wrote each child's name on two eggs and they had an extra small hunt in which they could only pick up the eggs with their names – that was a great, unique way to encourage newly developed reading skills. Some churches may place various symbols inside plastic eggs to help kids to learn about Jesus' death and resurrection.

Be careful if placing edible treats in the Easter eggs – many children have food allergies or sensitivities and some foods may be a choking hazard for the youngest kids. It can be a real drag for the kids to have lots of treats that they cannot eat, and it can be a disaster to have to rush a child to the emergency department that is experiencing a severe allergic reaction to a particular treat. An alternative might be to place notes, verses, or stickers inside the eggs.

Have extra bags or baskets available for any children who arrive without one. Ensure that restrooms are adequately stocked and in good working order and that plenty of trash receptacles and bags are available. Inspect all areas to ensure they are clean and free of any hazards.

If advertising the hunt, ensure that all information is correct and complete. Is the hunt accessible for children with special needs or handicaps? If so, that is good information to place in an advertisement.

How to Enjoy an Easter Egg Hunt Without the Drama © Katrena

During the Hunt

Many problems with egg hunts occur when everyone simply lines up and the race begins as soon as the person in charge says "Go!" That style basically calls for survival of the fittest, fastest, and often the rudest. Decide what type of rules you plan to have for the hunt and ensure that everyone is aware of the expectations before beginning, being careful not to turn the directions into something of a dissertation that completely sucks all the excitement out of the moment.

Separating hunting areas for different age groups will at least give the youngest kids a better chance to at least find some eggs without being trampled. Younger children who are timid may be more comfortable if a caregiver can walk with them. Children who tend to be aggressive may be a bit more subdued if accompanied by a helpful adult. If allowing adults to accompany the children, it may be helpful to remind them to let the kids discover the hiding places before starting.

Sometimes Easter egg hunts seem to be over in about five minutes. There are many ways to make the hunt a bit more challenging and to extend the fun of the hunt. You might combine a hunt with school-related skills in which the kids have to answer questions in order to earn a certain number or color of eggs. Adding a scavenger hunt component can challenge kids to use problem-solving skills.

Have a back-up plan. If the hunt was intended to be outdoors, is there a way to move the hunt indoors? Our local library does a great job with an indoor Easter egg hunt in the library. If more children appear than expected, consider limiting the number of eggs that each child can pick up so that everyone has a chance to find some.

Egg Hunt That is Fun for Everyone © Katrena

After the Hunt

When I do a simple hunt at the house, I try to count all the eggs before hiding them to ensure that we haven't left any behind when we gather them at the end. If not, I usually find one when I mow or do a major cleaning project in the house. For larger hunts, it is helpful to recruit volunteers to assist with clean up at the end.

Afterwards, it can be helpful to step back and evaluate what went well and what might be improved for next year. Some ideas may work better than others depending on the ages and size of the group, but with careful planning hopefully everyone will go home with great memories of the Easter egg hunt.

You may also wish to check out my easier Easter Scavenger Hunt With Rhyming Clues to my more challenging Easter Egg Scavenger Hunt that will challenge some of the older kids while providing an opportunity to learn more about the biblical account of Easter. Find more of my articles, including printables and scavenger hunt clues, at the Wildflower Bouquets site map.

Gardening: Great Way to Connect With Kids

Gardening Together as a Family © Katrena

Today is Vernal Equinox, a heralding of spring in my neck of the woods, and one of the greatest pleasures of this season for me is to enjoy the plethora of natural beauty around me. And getting a little dirty. Well, sometimes just getting downright grungy with the grubs in the flower garden, if I'm telling the whole truth.

Gardening with the Kids © Katrena

Teach Kids About the Family Tree Through Flowers

Gardening with the kids can be a fun way to connect generations. From an early age, my kids are learning that the lavender iris and pink roses that smell like perfume came from Maw. So did the black-eyed susans, daffodils, lariope, and many other dots of color and texture that make our yard unique. And the awesome red hot pokers that look like candy corn came from Aunt Cyndi. The rocks lining the gardens? Delivered by Maw and Granddad from one of their many trips to Virginia. Planting flowers is a great way to pass the shears from one generation to the next.

Teach Family Tree in Creative Ways © Katrena

This can be a great opportunity to tell the children something of one's own roots. A memory book that uses dirt as its canvas. A motley scrapbook that is ever changing and always growing with the seasons.

Practical Gardening With Kids © Katrena

I remember a wonderful couple named Hal and Della Paris who lived about a half mile from my childhood home. They gave all sorts of tips on how to get a start from a rose bush and how to make wonderful creamed corn. They also had a bird that could whistle Yankee Doodle. What fun memories...ones that I like to share when I would see Mom's snowball bush in full bloom.

How to Enjoy Quality Family Time © Katrena

Involving the Kids With Gardening

If you put my kids in a lovely playground full of fancy slides, swings, and other equipment, it is not unusual to see them sitting on the ground with sticks, digging in the dirt. I get excited about a truckload of soil, so I guess it's in the genes.

Family History in the Flower Garden © Katrena

Gardening can serve as a great hands-on and hands-in classroom providing the kids with an opportunity to learn about a nice variety of topics such as:

• Plant options (starts from families/friends, seeds from store, etc.)
• How to prepare soil and make compost (also a lesson in recycling)
• Names of different gardening tools and how to care for and store them
• Good body mechanics, a topic they may appreciate more in later years
• Selecting the best location for plants and how to design a garden
• Learning about the various zones
• How to use flowers to attract butterflies, hummingbirds, etc.
• Beneficial animals for gardeners, such as worms and ladybugs
• Proper care of the flower garden
• How to recycle water
• The difference between perennials and annuals
• How to identify weeds, plants, flowers
• Safety tips, such as identifying poison ivy, what to do if you see a snake in the garden, protecting skin from sunburn, etc.

Teach Kids Patience Through Gardening © Katrena

Oh yes, gardening can also teach a bit about patience.

Kids Have Great Ideas for Flower Garden Designs © Katrena

Gardening can also show my kids how very human I am. When I let an interesting plant grow thinking it was a flower when in fact it was just a huge bunch of weeds that had transplanted themselves from the neighbor's yard, my kids saw me make a clean slate for the next planting season. The kids' enthusiasm more than makes up for the mistakes.

How to Connect With Kids © Katrena

My gardens might not be featured on the front of a magazine, but I have learned that flowers often grow bigger when planted near the septic tank, and if they grow well on the side of the interstate, they will probably have a decent chance to grow in my yard!

Enjoy Nature With the Family © Katrena

It's ok...not all gardeners are perfect. Not every effort will be met with success. Sometimes animals will eat the tulip bulbs, a hail storm will ruin the prettiest flowers, or the plants never come up.

Flower Garden Lessons © Katrena

After many unsuccessful efforts at planting 4 o'clocks, I poured the entire seed packet into a rather small hole, hoping that just one plant would grow. Yep...you guessed it. I think they all came up. Actually I think I have some other time zones in there too.

Wildflowers Can Add Color to Garden for Free © Katrena

Some of my favorite flowers are those that simply volunteer themselves in the yard in the form of violets or dandelions. They make great bouquets and can add loads of color for free!

Encourage Creativity in Kids © Katrena

My kids love to pick out seed packets from a nearby dollar store. It is interesting to see their different personalities coming out as they carefully choose what flowers look most appealing to them. If I don't already know the name of the flowers, we can learn them together. One of their favorite computer games that I created is called "Name This Flower" with lots of shots of various flowers native to this area.

Using a Garden as a Classroom © Katrena

Those who plant a vegetable garden or herb garden can get the added benefits of enjoying wonderful home-cooked meals with the harvest. Many children today do not realize where those vegetables in the store originate or how to identify the most basic vegetables and herbs as they appear in the garden. Even those who have very small yards can encourage the kids with a small container garden indoors or outdoors.

Encouraging the Kids to Learn About Plants and Flowers © Katrena

Gardening Together as a Family

Gardening has been a part of my life for many years, a way of life that I hope will continue with my kids. Perhaps some day they will be knocking at my door, asking for a start of some of my own flowers...and maybe, just maybe, the story that goes with them!

Visit the Wildflower Bouquets site map to find more great articles on connecting generations, spending quality time with the kids, and much more!

Bond With the Kids Through Gardening © Katrena