How to Teach Kids about Wildlife
A great way to teach kids about the importance of nature is with a wildlife garden, these gardens can show kids the importance of biodiversity and how it impacts our environment. A wildlife garden will entertain and impact kids in a positive way as they expand their knowledge about how nature works as a whole to bring balance to our ecosystem.
I believe starting kids early or directing their attention to the importance of nature and how it supports our planet can spark an interest in them to pursue a career in related fields for example, arborist, nurseryman, landscapes and gardens, ornamental, pest control, interior landscape, landscape architecture, irrigation, agriculture, etc… to learn more about wildlife gardening for kids continue reading.
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What Is Biodiversity
Biodiversity is a diverse or different kind of life that lives in one area, this includes a variety of animals, fungi, plants, and microorganisms for example, Viruses, Bacteria, Protists, and Archaea. Each of these species and organisms works together in our ecosystem like a spider web to support life and maintain balance.
8 Ways to Teach Kids about Wildlife Gardening for Kids
1. Growing Wild Flowers
Growing a wildflower garden is a great way to teach kids about different species of flowering plants that have the same water, sunlight, and soil requirements, these gardens will attract bees, butterflies, and birds. What will excite kids is not only the many different species of colorful flowering plants and their aroma but also the wildlife. Some flowering plants for a wildflower garden include foxgloves, crocus, poppies, sweet peas, cornflowers, echinacea purpurea, black-eyed Susan, blanket flowers, etc…
2. Making a mini wildlife pond
This is one of my favorites, a mini wildlife pond can really excite kids, and wildlife is attached to these pond types, creating a wildlife pond does not have to be elaborate or large. An example of a mini pond can be using an old tin bucket, an old sink, etc… that can hold a small body of water. The sink, tin bucket, etc… can be buried partly into the ground, or left above ground. Rocks can be placed around it as far as the rim to give it an all-natural look.
You can then add a few stones based on the size of your pond, one stone should be above the rim of the container and the reason for this is that wildlife can easily get out of the pond, or the rock can be used as a resting place or where they can have a place to stand and have a drink. A log can also be added around your mini pond or inside of it along with a few pond plants.
3. Creating a Place for Bees to Drink
Bees are busy little creatures that are hard at work collecting pollen to create what if not all of us most of us (honey) love, bees also need at times to take a rest and cool drink as well so why not help our pollinating friends by creating a place for them to rest and drink. How’s this done? I a glad that you asked, fill a shallow dish with a layer of marbles followed by filling the dish with water halfway up the marbles.
Now place the dish near plants where bees are spotted, this dish should be placed at the soil level, once bees visit your garden they can stand and rest on the marbles while they take a drink. The marble will support them from falling into the water and drowning.
4. Installing Nesting Boxesot
A great way to encourage birds to your garden is by using nesting boxes, these boxes will not only encourage birds to your garden but will also provide a place for them to raise their young. The presence of birds will excite your kids as they watch them in their natural habitat interacting with each other and feeding their young. Who knows your feathered friends may also play a tune or two for you. Providing nesting boxes is a great way to house wildlife. You can also provide food and water for them as well to make their time spent in your garden even more enjoyable.
5. Make a Bug Hotel
Even our little bug friends deserve to kick back and relax in their very own hotel, these hotels are known as a bug hotel or insect hotel. And insect hotel is pretty amazing and your kids will think so also as they see the diversity of insect species taking up residence.
6. Taking care of Butterflies and Moths
Attract butterflies and moths to your wildlife garden by providing them with a delicious food source, place a shallow dish on a few stones in your garden. Now place a sponge that has holes in the dish. Make a sweet drink of half water and half sugar stir well and pour into the shallow dish, adding some orange slices or other sweet fruit will work wonders as these beautiful wonders of nature stop by for this sweet treat.
7. Building a Log Pile
Building a log pile is a great way to encourage biodiversity, simply dig a few shallow holes for support followed by placing your logs, just a simple pile of sticks and twigs. This pile will encourage bugs looking for shade, a harbourage, and a food source as the twigs decompose. What will happen is the presence of these bugs will also attract birds, frogs, and hedgehogs that will feed on them.
8. Creating a Compost Pile
Creating a compost pile is a great way to educate kids about the importance of soil and food safety by growing foods in and healthy way. Composing will also show kids the importance of avoiding food wastage by using scraps to build healthy soil that in turn will encourage healthy plant life besides the presence of worms and soil microbes that helps to enrich the soil by speeding up the decomposition ( kitchen scraps) process.
The final word on wildlife gardening for kids
A wildlife garden is a great way to introduce kids to the world of insect and plant species, what I especially love about a wildlife garden is the many activity that is involved. Creating a wildlife garden is pretty amazing and what makes this garden type a must is they are not hard to install and they do not have to be huge. If what was discussed sounds like a good idea then go ahead and give this garden type a try, your kind will thank you for it and so will the many wildlife. I believe exposing kids from early age to this garden type will not only educate them but can prepare them for the many exciting fields in this area that are so rewarding.
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About the author
Norman loves being in the garden, both at home and for his job....
he is 'Natures Little helper' being outdoors, growing his vegetables and flowers from an early age.
Now having spent over 22 years in the profession he want to give some of his knowledge to others...
his vast array of hints and tips you will find scattered over this site will help you no end growing plants in your garden.
Although I do get that many people do not have a garden, especially if you live in an apartment but for those that do have one it is a first rate opportunity to put it in good use and make your children learn more about wildlife gardening. It is educational, it helps children be more active, they learn new things and spend their time creatively. I cannot think of a better way to spend the summer!
These garden types are pretty amazing and so much for to kids as well as helping wildlife, I am so happy to have helped.