Gardening with Peter Rabbit ~ Precious Playtime

"Now my dears,' said old Mrs. Rabbit one morning, 'you may go into the fields or down the lane, but don't go into Mr. McGregor's garden: your Father had an accident there; he was put in a pie by Mrs. McGregor.'" ~ Beatrix Potter, Tale of Peter Rabbit

Oh, the delights of reading classic stories to your children! I remember our first sitting on the couch as we enjoyed this fellowship together. It is as timeless as these stories. Bring books to life with your children to encourage learning and healthy playtime…

'Now run along, and don't get into mischief. I am going out.'

Cuddle up with your little ones and read Beatrix Potter ~ The Complete Tales…

For hands on fun, read Gardening with Peter Rabbit by Jennie Walters and try some of the activities…

Garden with your children… Plant a row of carrots with your dearies. Put them in charge of watering and weeding. Make it their special space and set aside some time each day for "garden maintenance". You can purchase some affordable garden tools for children at dollar stores as they would be so thrilled to have their very own. Encourage your young ones to play in the dirt and get dirty! (So many children are lifeless in front of the blaring television these days, let it not be because you did not stimulate other interests while they were young.) Your children will be delighted as they pull root veggies from the ground that they grew themselves. This will only take a few minutes of your time to plant but your efforts will reap more than you know!

You may want to follow up on the garden aspect by reading to them the book, The Vegetables We Eat by Gail Gibbons to enrich this little project (or any other garden/vegetable inspired book). Enjoy this time with them by snacking on your carrots if they are ready (and don't forget to dip them in ranch which is my personal favorite!)

Craft with your children… Cut and paste some clip art pictures from above and glue onto some old buckets or used up paint cans, etc. This can be used as a place where your children can store their gardening supplies or let's face it, their dirt.

Print out these stand up dolls on card stock for the children to color and re-enact the book with.

Have them perform the story to you (and be amazed at their talent for detail!)

Side one for printing...

Side two for printing…

Art with your children… Bring out the drawing pencils and have your children draw some garden scenes or do some watercolor paintings with them. Do you have a future "Beatrix Potter" in the group?

If not, then simply print some coloring pages featuring our friend… (see sample above).

And back to the story for some life lessons…

"But Peter, who was very naughty,
ran straight away to Mr. McGregor's garden,
and squeezed under the gate!"

"I am sorry to say that Peter was not
very well during the evening.
His mother put him to bed,
and made some camomile tea;
and she gave a dose of it to Peter!
"One table-spoonful to be taken at bedtime."

Tea time with your children… brew a pot of chamomile (in honor of Peter) to drink with your young ones and discuss the topic of biblical obedience with them (using our little rabbit friend as an example of course!).

"Children, obey your parents in the Lord: for this is right.

Honour thy father and mother; which is the first commandment with promise;

That it may be well with thee, and thou mayest live long on the earth."

~ Ephesians 6:1-3

Remind them that the good little rabbits,

"Flopsy, Mopsy and Cotton-tail had bread and milk and blackberries, for supper"…

~ Beatrix Potter, Tale of Peter Rabbit

~ This post is dedicated to my little nephew (1 year old) who is being raised "a gentlemen". ~