This week it finally started to warm up around here.  With the warmer weather comes yard work and planting of the garden and other shrubs around the yard.  This year our 2 year old is old enough to want to be included (or directly underneath your feet, depending on

how you look at it--LOL) so we searched for ways to encourage him to contribute in a way that doesn't frustrate Dad or Mom who are trying to just get things done.  Here are some of the things we tried that seem to work.

• Buy your children inexpensive gardening tools that look just like yours (but are safe too).  Derek bought Ethan a plastic shovel and hoe for him to move earth.  It was so great because he was able to do just what Dad was doing without constantly stealing Dad's tools when he was crazy enough to put them down.   Everyone had their own tools and the work seemed to get done more quickly.
• If you have the space, give your child(ren) his own area to garden.  Derek set aside a small area in the corner beside the tomato garden and called that "Ethan's Garden."  It is Ethan's special area where he can push the dirt around to his heart's content without Dad worrying about his plants being uprooted or destroyed. 
• Buy packs of seeds and teach your child(ren) how to plant.  We started with seeds for tomato plants inside and Ethan really enjoyed planting the seeds, watering and watching the plants start to grow.  It is a great way to teach your children how vegetables grow and how they can be responsible for what ends up on the dinner plate.   

These are just a few ideas on how to include your kids in your yard work without going crazy.  What other things do you do to include your kids in yard work?