Planting Seeds of Kindness {via Sun Hats and Wellie Boots}

We are spreading kindness this month through our 100 Acts of Kindness project. We are challenging our readers to perform 100 acts of kindness between Jan 16th and Feb 14th. You can read more about our kindness challenge here. Many of our blogging friends have joined the challenge and will be sharing ways that you can spread kindness here and on their blogs. Today we have Catherine from Sun Hats and Wellie Boots as our guest blogger. She is sharing a lovely kindness activity she did with her daughter. Welcome Catherine!

We’re so thrilled to be a part of this amazing project! We try to encourage kindness & thoughtfulness in everyday actions throughout the year, & are often thinking of ways we can share a smile or two with others. Minnie (3yrs) enjoys creating, & regularly makes things to share with others. Recently she made sweet treats to leave on a neighbour’s doorstep, & helped to make craft goodie bags for children who were going through a tough time. She now suggests people she’d like to send things to, & it’s wonderful to observe her generous spirit.

The activity we’re sharing today grew out of some gardening Minnie was enjoying the other day. She loves digging & playing in the mud, & accidently dug up some small plants from her herb garden. I suggested we could share the plants with special people we knew, & she was so keen on this idea that she began listing the names of people we could give them to there & then!

After hunting around for plant pots for our freshly dug herbs, we found something completely different, but something that was sure to raise a smile!

These old mugs had been sitting at the back of a cupboard for years, so we decided it was time to utilize them once more. Minnie was keen to paint them, so with a little Acrylic paint, in her choice of colours, she set to work designing her upcycled herb planters!

Once they were dry Minnie planted a herb in each mug, & in another mug she planted basil seeds which should germinate pretty well on a windowsill.

Here are our Mugs of Mint

 

& Mug of thyme.

It’s always good to share thyme with friends! 😉

Herbs are great to plant indoors any time of the year, & a neat way of bringing the outside into a home. Having fresh herbs to hand when cooking is a real treat, & they smell gorgeous too. Once the plants have eventually grown too big for the mugs they can easily be replanted outside.

I love the fact that this activity is something that will grow if cared & nurtured, just like acts of kindness. Great to think too that these plants could eventually help insects in your garden when transferred outside, & cuttings could be taken & herbs shared again at a later date.

Here are 4 other ways children could share some gardening smiles

    1. If a relative lives away, how about sending some seeds through the post for them to plant.

2.. Plant & grow some vegetables/fruits/salad, & when ready to pick share them with friends & family. Home-grown veggies always taste better!

3. Make plant markers/labels to give to friends.

4. Offer to help an elderly friend or relative with their gardening, or offer to tidy their yard for them. (I know how much my little girl would love to collect leaves & sweep up!)

This project combines two of our favourite things; gardening & upcycling. You could of course use anything to plant the herbs/seeds in, this bottle for instance worked really well.

This is a really inexpensive activity & one where your gift of kindness keeps growing.

The 100 Acts of Kindness project has certainly made us as a family focus much more on the small moments of kindness that often go unnoticed or are taken for granted, & I’d just like to say a huge thank you to Toddler Approved for organising this amazing project. The seeds of kindness you’ve sown are definitely growing around the world!

Catherine is the founder Sun Hats & Wellie Boots, a blog that shares ideas for fun & frugal play whatever the weather; focusing on outdoor play, nature, upcycling activities, & creative fun. She is currently taking a break from teaching (Early Yrs) to be at home with her daughter. She also runs a baby & toddler group, & enjoys organising events & activity days for families in the local community.  

You are so sweet Catherine! Thanks for sharing this beautiful project with us today! I love how easy and inexpensive this was to make... and I also love all of the other gardening kindness suggestions! You are raising such a generous and thoughtful daughter! I can tell you are a great model for her. If you haven't checked out Catherine's blog before, I highly suggest you head on over to Sun Hats and Wellie Boots right now. The Sun Hats and Wellie Boots Facebook page is also a great community to join! I definitely recommend you check out her recent post about Valentine's Cards- with Dot Markers as well as her Recycled Materials Hearts. Both of these projects are perfect for Valentine's Day.

If you've missed any of our kindness challenge posts so far, you can catch up by clicking the links below:

100 Acts of Kindness Project 2012 Intro post

Kindness Challenge #1: Saying Thank You

Whoopie Pie Love {via Red Ted Art}

Jar of Hearts {via The Outlaw Mom}

Rainbow Painting Surprise {via Glittering Muffins}

Winter Warm Up {via Kitchen Counter Chronicles}

Week 1- Kindness Round Up

Kindness Challenge #2: Show Love to Relatives {via Living Montessori Now)

Pop the Top for Kindness

Five Easy Ways to Show Love for a Working Parent {via Dinosaurs and Octopuses}

Our Kindness Jar {via Teach Preschool}

Everyday Kindness in Everyday Life {via No Time for Flashcards}

Stayed tuned for a guest post on Monday and Kindness Challenge #3 issued by one of my best friends, Liz from Made on Maple. She sent me a peak at what she is sharing and I can't wait till Monday to post it! We also have an awesome post by EJ tomorrow and a Kindness Challenge #2 round up on Sunday!! If you have posted about Kindness challenge #2 this week, make sure to let me know. We'd love to include you!