Come on, I can’t be the only mom, who has trouble getting my children to actually weed the garden…as in more then five weeds an hour…right?
Well, I may have actually “tricked” my children into helping a bit more.
First, give them a plastic grocery bag.
Then tell split them into groups…boys vs girls works pretty well here.
Now, tell them we are having a contest to see whose bag weighs more in an hour.
So, now head out to the garden with your own bag, and put everyone in a zone.
Get them weeding.
When the hour or other specified time is up, combine the boys’ bags into one, and the girls’ bags into another.
Take them inside and weigh them
Girls’ bag. 9.8 lbs
Boys Bag
Oh, looks like the girls won this round. They chose ice cream with granola on top for their afternoon snack. The boys had granola with apples. 
I do believe that mom and dad may very well join in on this challenge…
Do you have any gardening with children tricks?
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mother, christian, wife, woman, child of God. It is about my life as a farmer’s wife, as a cook, a baker, a nurse, a teacher, a woodworker, a housekeeper, a farmer (yep, I drive tractors, pick up hay bales, and other farm duties), a gardener. So, what you read here, is me, as a transparent sometimes hot headed, passionate, and opinionated person.
My kids are a little too old to be motivated by this, but it would have been a great idea when they were younger. They hate weeding and will avoid the chore at all costs. I’m looking for ways to make gardening (not just weeding) more interesting for them. So I do the weeding and they do the tasks that are more fun, like harvesting potatoes.
Bill Brikiatis recently posted..Kids, Kitchen Gardening & Better Nutrition, Part II
You better watch it or those boys will be putting dirt clods in their bags to weigh them down!
Amy @ Raising Arrows recently posted..Homeschooling the Littles – 2011-2012 School Year
I love it! A little healthy competition is a good thing. Love the new header.
HillaryM recently posted..Announcing 2 exciting contests for the Sh Sh Sh Let the Baby Sleep book tour!
That is a great idea. I would still be afraid that our kids would bring me a bag with all our plants in them:)
New follower from the Crew. I really like your blog. Look forward to reading more.
Renita
http://www.krazykuehnerdays.com
Love it!!! Stopping buy from the TOS intro thread! Looking forward to getting to know you better!
Our Country Road recently posted..Garage Sale Treasures June 17th
Great idea! So what did they win? I probably would have let them pick the dessert for after dinner or something like that.