For many adults, yard work is a tedious yet
necessary part of home ownership. They begrudgingly head out to rake
leaves, pick up branches and mow the yard in scorching heat, but for
children, yard work is an exciting new experience. The key to having
children help out with various yard work chores is to make it as fun as
possible for them. Fun can turn a tedious chore into a
much-looked-forward-to family event.
Start Them Young
Young children always want to help Mom or Dad with chores and want to be the big boy or girl. Get the children outside as early as possible, but only if it is a safe atmosphere. Even if they can't actually help out, they have the opportunity to spend time with Mom or Dad and that makes them feel special. As they grow, they will continue to remember and have this feeling when it comes to working out in the yard.Never Underestimate a Positive Attitude
If Mom or Dad goes into the situation with a frowny face, then it will rub off on the children. Instead of dreading the inevitable yard work, be positive, even if it's only for the sake of the children. If you have a positive and energetic attitude, then yard work will be an event the children look forward to... at least for a little while.Make Them Feel Useful
Small children can't always do the chores that parents can. They may be too young for weed whacking or mowing the lawn, but to them, even the smallest chore is a big deal. Have them pick up sticks and put them into a pile, or let them go through the yard and look for any garbage. If they are too young to use tools like rakes, then visit a local toy store and purchase toy yard tools. They can "mow" one part of the yard with their bubble blower while you mow the other end. They are excited about feeling useful and are getting good workout.Make Yard Work a Game
If the household has several children, then create a friendly competition of who can collect the most sticks, or a race to see who can pull the most weeds out of the garden. They have fun, and the yard work gets done. When the children get older, they may tire of the same old games, so try to vary the game every few weeks and offer incentives to the winner like an extra hour of video games or picking the movie to watch. Have them pretend they are on an African safari and be on the lookout for the lion pride while they do their chores.Plan a Special Post Yard Work Lunch
They may be tired, but they will work hard if they are looking forward to a pizza lunch from a local restaurant or burgers on the grill. You can keep those smiles wide if your significant other is cooking while the yard work is going on. The smell of the food will be incentive to keep going and something to look forward to.Don't Forget Playtime
All work and no play can make yard work get old quick. Children need to be well hydrated when working outside in the heat, so plan some fun water-themed playtime. If they start getting hot, then let them run through the sprinkler a few times or get out some large water guns and let everyone douse each other. It's important that any fun that goes on also includes Mom or Dad. You need to have some fun just as much as the children do, and the kids will love every minute of it. For older children, let them invite friends over, and make the yard work a group activity with plenty of water fun and refreshments.Ride the Lawnmower
Teenagers always want to drive and learn to drive, but it can be a long time before they get that learner's permit. A teen who wants to learn to drive can start by riding the lawn mower. They learn about the clutch, shifting gears at a slow enough pace that there is little danger of an accident. Just to be on the safe side, Mom or Dad should be out there for the first several rips, just in case they lose control or need a little help.Children grow up quickly, and soon, hanging out with the 'rents doing the yard work just won't be cool. Treasure the moments when they love the smell of fresh-cut grass and spending every moment with you. They will be amazed by how plants grow and excited at the sound of a lawnmower motor. Parents can make that feeling last longer by making yard work fun and less of a chore.