Episodes in the Childrens Garden 2010/05/18

If you’re looking for a reason to involve kids in gardening and healthy food, I’ve got it. Just check out the photo of my daughter Emma’s play kitchen.

See a big, yellow M? Yup, you guessed it, she was pretending to run a McDonalds restaurant.

Yikes. I don’t like McDonalds, so have never taken her there—but Shelley has on occasion. (Emma is also quick to spot a Tim Horton’s—and that’s my fault.)

We’re not fast food junkies—so these are very occasional visits. That’s why it was a shock to me to see what powerful brand recognition the fast food chain has with kids.

So back to how I began, gardening for kids:

YOU CAN DO SOME BRANDING TOO: START BRANDING GARDENING AND VEGGIES AS “FUN”. It is a counterbalance to all the fast food advertising geared towards kids.

Not sure what I mean? Shelling peas can be exhilarating for toddlers. And there’s a strong chance that even a potato hating kid might try a spud dug from the garden…especially if it was part of a hung and dig for pirate’s treasure.

Return to Episodes in the Childrens Garden

Return to Home Page