NAMASTE, AND WELCOME TO
Playing In Nature
Foster a Love for Nature & Travel Blog
Playing In Nature is a passion project blog of mine. That is focused on inspiring other families to disconnect from their daily lives and foster a love for nature. My blog shares a variety of blog posts and guides to help your family get outdoors and plan your trips safely as well as some travel destinations in and around the UK.
I hope that through my tips and resources we all can inspire other families to foster a love for nature in themselves and their children too. Let’s start a generation trend of loving, caring for and respecting Mother Nature.
Where would you like to go?
Namaste, I'm Charmaine Howard
I'm the storyteller behind Playing In Nature. I am a wife, business owner, fur baby mother and an absolute fanatic about Nature and treating her respectfully. Through my blog, I hope to help families of all ages foster a deep love and respect for Mother Nature, and inspire families to spend more time outdoors or just connect to it as best as they can.
I absolutely love permaculture and holistic land management and what they stand for and do when implemented correctly and fully. My goal is to share my love of nature with you, give you tips, and guides and increase your nature knowledge.
I am currently based in the UK, living in a caravan with my husband and fur baby. We are traversing the whole of the UK, with Scotland, Ireland and hopefully the Isle of man as well. Such Fun!
Gardening with Kids: Cultivating More Than Just Plants
Gardening isn’t just about growing plants; it’s about nurturing curiosity, fostering responsibility, and forging a deep connection with the natural world. In this blog, we’ll explore the multifaceted benefits of gardening with children, from planting seeds of knowledge to reaping a harvest of life lessons.
Getting Started
Choosing the Right Space: Whether you have a spacious backyard or a tiny balcony, find a spot that receives adequate sunlight for your garden.
Selecting Plants: Opt for plants that are easy to grow and maintain, especially if you’re new to gardening. Herbs, flowers, and cherry tomatoes are great options.
Gathering Supplies: Invest in gardening tools scaled down for little hands, such as trowels, watering cans, and kid-sized gloves.
Plan Together: Involve your children in planning the garden layout, and discussing which plants to grow and where to plant them.
Planting Seeds of Knowledge
Science Lessons: Gardening provides a hands-on science education, teaching kids about germination, photosynthesis, and the plant life cycle.
Responsibility: Assign gardening tasks like watering, weeding, and monitoring growth, instilling a sense of responsibility and commitment.
Patience: Gardening teaches patience as children eagerly await the first sprouts and the eventual harvest.
Problem-Solving: Encourage problem-solving when challenges arise, such as dealing with pests or addressing plant diseases.
Connecting with Nature
Observation Skills: Gardening sharpens observation skills as kids learn to notice changes in their plants and the surrounding ecosystem.
Environmental Awareness: Discuss the importance of soil health, pollinators like bees, and the role of plants in the environment.
Mindful Moments: Encourage moments of mindfulness in the garden, where kids can appreciate the beauty and serenity of nature.
Family Bonding
Quality Time: Gardening fosters quality family time, providing opportunities for bonding and shared experiences.
Communication: Use gardening as a platform for open conversations, exploring topics from the environment to life cycles.
Celebrating Success: Celebrate milestones like the first bloom or a bountiful harvest together as a family.
Harvesting Life Lessons
Understanding Growth: Through gardening, children learn that growth requires care, effort, and time—a valuable life lesson.
Appreciating Nature’s Cycles: Witnessing plants bloom, fruit, and wither helps kids appreciate the cycles of life.
Healthy Eating: Enjoy the fruits of your labour by incorporating homegrown produce into family meals, promoting healthy eating habits.
Sustainability: Discuss sustainable practices like composting and water conservation, instilling eco-friendly values.
Gardening with kids transcends the realm of horticulture; it’s a journey of discovery, growth, and connection. As you plant seeds in the soil, you’re also sowing the seeds of lifelong curiosity, responsibility, and a profound love for the natural world. So, roll up your sleeves, grab those trowels, and embark on a gardening adventure that nurtures both plants and the hearts of your children.
Yours in Nature
I hope you found this blog insightful. If you have a specific question ask away in the comments section.
I WOULD LIKE TO INTRODUCE YOU TO MY PODCAST
Chats with Charmaine
This podcast is a way for me to express myself, as my husband will tell you, I have many thoughts, ideas and I suppose beliefs about how life could be better for us all, now and in the long run. How we as a species need to become more conscious so that all life on Earth can live in harmony, supporting and nourishing each other in turn.
I am open to podcast, topics of discussion and thoughts or questions that have been hounding you.
I WOULD LIKE TO INTRODUCE YOU TO MY CHANNEL
Playing In Nature
This channel is a way for me to visually express myself, as my husband will tell you, I have many thoughts, ideas and I suppose beliefs about how life could be better for us all, now and in the long run. How we as a species need to become more conscious so that all life on Earth can live in harmony, supporting and nourishing each other in turn.
I am open to video ideas, topics of discussion and thoughts or questions that have been hounding you.
If you’re like us, there’s a yearning inside of you to connect with nature. You’re tired of life in the hamster wheel and you want to reclaim a little freedom.
To explore either by yourself or with the whole family. No matter where or how far away from home you may go; it does not matter.
Opening your heart up to nature is all that matter