Growing Food and Kids

Thanksgiving may have been only a week ago, but we’re already in the throes of Christmas around my house. And while I certainly don’t want Christmas to be all about buying and getting, I have to admit that finding cool gifts is part of the fun. (And it’s nice to have “Christmas shopping” marked off the to-do list.)

For kids who like to garden — or just play in the dirt — there are lots of interesting gift options, including some that cost hardly anything.

If you’re looking for just the right something for your little garden buddy, consider some of these:

• The gift that keeps growing. A packet of seeds wrapped in festive fabric or paper makes a perfect stocking stuffer for a kid with a budding green thumb. Consider something that can be planted right away during cold weather months, such as fava beans, so your gardener doesn’t lose momentum (or lose the seeds before planting time).
• Bring on the birds. A great way to watch wildlife during the winter months is by beckoning birds to your window with a bird feeder. I have sweet memories of sitting at my grandmother’s breakfast table in Nashville, Tenn., and watching hummingbirds eat their breakfast just outside the window beside us. There are all kinds of bird feeders in fun, kid-friendly colors and shapes. I like the Woodstream #262 48OZ Apple Feeder or the Woodstream #260P 48OZ Strawberry Feeder, especially for hummingbirds.
• A tree to grow on. What kid wouldn’t like to grow his or her own Christmas tree? This kit comes with a Douglas fir seed, peat, and a ceramic pot, along with a jingle bell ornament to hang on the tree when it starts growing. 
• Pamper your pets. If growing your own food is fun, what could be better than growing food for your pet? Suttons offers a cool pet food pack that includes seeds for  dandelions, carrots and other foods that rabbits, hamsters and other household pets love.
• Read all about it. My boys love books, and I love to give books to them and to other children. There are plenty of good books that are perfect for kids who love the outdoors, such as those included in this post from July. Other favorites include Growing Vegetable Soup (Books for Young Readers) by Lois Ehlert and The Tiny Seed (World of Eric Carle) by Eric Carle.
• No time to be board. Who knew there was a board game all about gardening? Your little gardener will love playing The Garden Game, which requires players to feed the soil, plant seeds, nurture plants, have harvest festivals, and help each other through natural disasters. You can win by planting the largest garden and saving the most seeds!

What are your favorite gift ideas for kids who love the outdoors?