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Spending time in nature is shown to relieve stress, boost attention, and strengthen self-discipline. Enjoy the beautiful weather and plant-life by starting a new Autumn tradition with your family - gardening. Studies show working hands-on outdoors provide children emotional, physical, and academic benefits. No matter your living situation, a garden is possible whether in your backyard or a container garden on an outside patio. If you don't want to start your own, Statesboro has a wonderful community garden!
Garden Activities
Plant Native Perennial Flowers, Shrubs, and Trees
Perennials are best planted in the fall in order for them to have time to get established before the cold winter. Allow your child to choose which flowers they like best, and enjoy welcoming the butterflies and moths to your garden after they sprout. You can browse Georgia's native plants on the GNPS website here. If you are interested in shrubs or trees, there are organizations that offer free trees such as the Arbor Day Foundation, or you can buy seeds for native Georgia trees here.
Go on a Nature Walk
See if you and your child can identify any of the natural plant and wildlife. Keep a journal of everything you find (this can help encourage matching and counting). Your child can also tape dried flowers/leaves in the journal as "treasures", and they draw pictures of the insects and animals they come across!
Photography
If you have an old camera with an SD card, you can allow you child to take pictures of things they find in the garden. If not, you could buy disposable cameras from Amazon or a local shop, or purchase this cool kids' camera (other options at Walmart).
Plant Cold Weather Crops
If starting plants by seed, you will need to sow early enough before fall. However, there are a few vegetables that do well in cool weather such as broccoli and cauliflower. If you have a picky eater, this may be a fun activity to encourage them to eat what they've grown.
If you plant a garden, remember to not cut dry flower stalks or remove old annuals. Not only does this reduce the number of pollinators, but it takes away nutrients necessary in the soil for bountiful plant life.
Natural Yard Activities
If gardening doesn't seem like something your family could enjoy, you and you child could benefit from related activities such as visiting Georgia Southern's Botanic Garden.
If all else fails, you can return to the classics - raking leaves and playing in the pile, outdoor family sports (kickball, wiffle ball, soccer, etc.), or a scavenger hunt (you can ask your child to count how many squirrels they find, how many yellow leaves, etc.).
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