There are many ways to encourage your young ones to get closer to nature. The simplest way to get your children closer to nature is by bringing it into your home and finding creative and exciting ways to engage them in activities that allow them to take care of nature.
This also reinforces a sense of responsibility and greater connection with plants, houseplant topiary is a perfect activity to explore with your children. Here is an easy way to carry out this creative activity in your home.
What you will need:
- Trailing pot plants
- Soft wire
- Pliers
Choose any trailing pot plant to execute this activity. You will also need a soft bendable wire to create the desired shapes which you and your children would love to train the plants to take form of.
The pliers are essential to cut the soft wire. The most exciting part about this activity is that the children can choose which shape they want the plant they work on to take the form. Parents and guardians can bend the wire to the desired shapes.
Steps to take
- First, choose the shapes that everyone involved in the activity wants their plants to be.
- Divide responsibilities, the adults should take up the responsibility of bending the wires to the desired shapes. Here are easily achievable shapes, star, triangle, and heart shapes. The shapes that you can explore are not limited to these shapes, use your limitless creativity to create your desired shapes.
- Ensuring that everyone involved in the activity has at least one houseplant to train encourages a sense of responsibility and connection to nature.
- When the shapes are complete, include downward pointing wires on opposite sides of the shape that will connect it to the soil of the pot plant.
- Take the long sides of the plants and roll them upwards along the wire to enable them to trail onto the topiary shape.
Engaging children in house plant topiary is a fun and meaningful way to connect them with nature while fostering creativity and responsibility. By allowing them to shape and care for their plants, they develop a deeper appreciation for greenery and the patience required to nurture living things.
This hands-on activity not only enhances their artistic expression but also strengthens their bond with the natural world. As the plants grow and take shape, children can witness the beauty of their efforts, making it a rewarding and educational experience that brings nature into their daily lives.
Written by THIMNA MATIKA
First published on Garden & Home
Also see: How to prep your yard for gardening
