Teach children from an early age about responsibility, respect and contact with nature It's an educational endeavor with numerous benefits. Gardening, in addition to being a fun and educational activity, helps children develop motor skills, stimulate their curiosity, and understand the value of caring for living things. To make it simple and safe, there are garden tools for kids specially designed for their hands, their strength and their age, allowing them to delve into the fascinating world of plants and cultivation.
If you are considering purchasing children's gardening tools, this guide will help you make the best choice, highlighting safety criteria, materials, variety and educational benefits, in addition to recommending brands, stores and options to choose from.
Benefits of children's gardening and outdoor play
La gardening in childhood It goes far beyond playing with dirt. Digging, planting, watering, and watching plants grow awakens a series of essential values:
- Psychomotor development: Using shovels, rakes, and watering cans strengthens coordination, fine and gross motor skills, and manual dexterity.
- Contact with nature: Caring for a plant allows them to discover the life cycle and the importance of water, light, and patience.
- Promoting responsibility: Knowing that the health and growth of their little plant depends on them is a lesson in responsibility and empathy.
- Fun and family learning: Sharing gardening tasks as a family strengthens bonds and creates positive memories about caring for the environment.
- Environmental awareness: They discover the importance of nature, recycling, and respect for the environment through real-life games and activities.
Brands like Janod have developed specific kits so that children feel like they are real gardeners, with tool sets tailored to them and in bright colors to turn gardening into a great educational adventure.
Best garden tools for kids
What tools make up a basic children's gardening set?
Un children's gardening kit should be tailored to your age and needs. The most comprehensive ones usually include:
- Hand shovel: Perfect for digging and transplanting small plants.
- Rake: Essential for removing soil and cleaning leaves or pebbles.
- Watering can: One of children's favorite items, it allows them to water easily without wasting water.
- Broom and bucket: Ideal for collecting plant debris and keeping the work area clean.
- Gardening gloves: They protect your hands from scratches, dirt and possible allergies.
- Grow Kits: They include seeds, biodegradable pots, and labels to learn how to identify plants and observe the germination process.
- Wheelbarrow: It allows you to transport soil, tools or light objects imitating adults in a safe and fun way.
These sets are designed for children from 3 years old, with Adapted sizes, lightweight materials and rounded edges, ensuring safety in play and learning.
Best Garden Tool Brands for Kids
The quality and design of children's tools depend greatly on the brand. Some stand out in the sector for their specialization and focus on safety and education:
Small foot
Small Foot is recognized for its wide variety of garden tools for children, suitable for ages 3 and up. Their colorful and durable designs make children feel like real gardeners, and their materials are carefully selected to ensure safety and durability. The brand also offers other high-quality wooden toys with educational and ecological values.
Sunshine smile
This brand specializes in children's toys and tools With durable materials and competitive prices, Sunshine Smile products are designed to encourage play at home and contact with nature, ensuring hours of fun and safe learning.
Janod
The French brand Janod is a benchmark in educational toys and garden tools For children. Their kits stand out for their attractive design, bright colors, and high-quality materials (light metals, wood, and safe plastics). Their most popular sets include wheelbarrows, watering cans, shovels, and gloves, all tailored for little garden explorers.
Plantazon
Plantazon offers a very complete catalog of children's toolsTheir products focus on safety, durability, and fun. In addition to tools, you can find grow kits and recreational options for the whole family, at affordable prices and with excellent shipping and customer service.
Buying Guide for Children's Garden Tools
Choosing the right tools is key to ensuring children enjoy the experience safely. Here's everything you need to keep in mind:
Safe and durable materials
Give priority to strong, lightweight, non-toxic materials and suitable for children's use. Lightweight metals and treated woods can be good options, although the recycled plastic It's the most recommended due to its lightness and lack of sharp edges. Look for tools certified as BPA and phthalate-free.
Adapted edges and shapes
The tools must have rounded edges and absence of sharp pointsMany sets even include safety accessories, such as gloves and protective eyewear.
Size and weight adapted to the child
Size influences ease of use and safety. Tools They should be able to be gripped firmly, without being heavy. or uncomfortable. Always choose according to the age recommended by the manufacturer.
Complete kits vs individual tools
Attractive and motivating design
Bright colors and eye-catching designs are not only fun, they are also motivate children to actively participate in garden care and learning about the environment.
Price and value for money
The market offers options ranging from affordable prices to more complete sets with higher prices. For about 20-30 euros you can buy complete sets of good quality, and it is always worth investing in safety, durability and longer use time.
Educational benefits of family gardening
In addition to individual learning, gardening is a enriching family activityIt allows parents and children to share time, learn together to care for plants, explore the environment, and develop ecological values. It also:
- Awaken scientific curiosity: Children observe the life cycle of plants, experiment, ask questions, and seek answers.
- Promotes teamwork and cooperation: Sharing tasks and collaborating strengthens communication and mutual support.
- Promotes healthy habits: Being outdoors, moving around, and breathing fresh air contributes to physical and mental well-being.
- Promotes discipline and perseverance: Through regular plant maintenance, children learn the importance of routine and commitment.
Where to buy garden tools for children?
There are multiple physical stores and online platforms for purchasing children's garden tools, each with its own advantages. Here's a review of the most relevant ones and what you can expect from each:
Amazon
Amazon stands out for its wide variety of models, brands, sets and pricesThere are often frequent sales, fast shipping options, and the ability to read reviews from other buyers, making it easy to compare and find the best product for your budget.
Lidl
At Lidl you can find Special offers on children's garden tools, although the variety is limited and it is usually a single model available only in certain campaigns or online. Its main advantage is the affordable price.
Bauhaus
Bauhaus offers a specific section of children's garden toolsAlthough the selection isn't very extensive, you'll find unique options like large shovels, cultivators, hoes, and brooms, which aren't easy to find in other stores. These are usually sold separately, so putting together a kit can be more expensive, but it allows for personalized purchases.
Leroy Merlin
Leroy Merlin has very few options in children's garden tools And their prices are generally somewhat higher. However, it's an alternative to consider if you're looking for a specific model or prefer to buy in a physical store.
Plantazon
Plantazon is distinguished by its wide variety of children's tools and growing kits, high-quality materials, and competitive prices. It also offers fast shipping, free returns, and personalized service, adding confidence to the shopping experience.
Extra tips for choosing and getting the most out of children's garden tools
- Active participation: Invite children to choose the plants and tools, encouraging their involvement and autonomy.
- Structured and free play: Alternate guided activities (sowing, transplanting, watering) with moments of free play to stimulate creativity and exploration.
- Security before everything: Always supervise the use of tools, especially by young children, ensuring that they are not misused.
- Sustainable and recycled materials: If you can, opt for brands that use recycled or sustainable materials, thus teaching ecological values from the start.
- Includes labels and observation notebooks: These allow children to record plant growth, draw, and learn holistically.
Gardening for children is a fun and educational way for children to connect with nature and learn to care for the environment. Choosing the right garden tools for kids Guarantees enriching and safe experiences. Always focus on safety, quality, and appropriate materials, involve children throughout the entire process, and take advantage of the opportunity to create unforgettable family memories while caring for the planet and educating the next generation of gardeners.