Herbalism for Children.

How to Teach Kids About Herbalism

Teaching kids about herbalism can start at a very young age and continue until the kids are grown-ups. Here are a few important principles for teaching children about herbalism:

• Use herbs in the home — One of the best ways to introduce kids to herbalism is to use herbal remedies to soothe them when they are sick or emotionally disregulated. Plenty of herbal remedies are safe for children, such as chamomile tea to help them feel sleepy at bedtime, or aloe vera to soothe irritated skin.

• Be safe — When getting your kids into herbalism, it is important to keep them safe. Teach them which plants are not safe to eat or touch, as well as those that have healing properties.

• Use suitable resources — Some herbalism resources are great, but are created with adults in mind. Check out the ones below for a more kid-centric perspective.

Resources for Teaching Kids About Herbalism

The following resources are all focused on teaching herbalism in a child-accessible way.

Books and Magazines

• The Herb Fairies book series by Kimberly Gallagher is a great resource for teaching kids about herbs, plants, and natural remedies. Each book weaves herbal knowledge into a fun adventure story.

• Herbal Roots Zine is packed with stories, puzzles, songs, and crafts to help kids learn about herbs.

• Walking the World in Wonder: A Children's Herbal introduces kids to the magic of herbs for cooking, healing, and crafts. It's aimed at children aged between 5 and 10.

Coloring Books

• Medicinal Plants Coloring Book by Ilil Arbel helps kids to identify medicinal herbs including Belladonna, Foxglove, Arnica, Burdock, and more!

• Herbs Coloring Book by Stefen Bernath includes life-size drawings of herbs for kids to color and enjoy.

Games

• Wildcraft is a nature-based board game that allows parents to share their passion for plants and herbs in a fun, competitive way.

Courses

• Herbal Roots Zine offers online courses for kids who are new to herbs, or ready to take the next step.

• Herbalism for Kids is a Centre of Excellence course that teaches children about how herbs work, including their effects on the immune system, digestive system, skin, and sleep.

Activities to Teach Kids About Herbalism

The best way to teach kids about herbalism is through hands-on activities. These are not only fun, but also allow kids to gain real, practical knowledge that they can use in their lives.

• Nature Walks — Take kids on a nature walk and show them different herbs growing in the wild. Teach them to identify the different plants by their leaves, flowers, and smells.

• Herbal tea party — Host a tea party and let kids sample different herbal teas. You can teach them about the different properties of each herb and how they can be used to support health and well-being. For example, peppermint is great for soothing a sore tummy.

• Herb sensory play — Set up a sensory table with different herbs for kids to touch, smell, and explore. You can include magnifying glasses so kids can take a closer look at the different parts of the herbs.

• Herb garden — Plant a small herb garden with kids and teach them how to care for the plants. You can also incorporate different activities such as making compost, creating garden markers, and harvesting herbs. Some of the best herbs to start with are mint, which is easy to grow and can be used both medicinally and in cooking. Rosemary and basil also grow easily and are both safe (and delicious!) to eat.

• Herb craft projects — There are many fun and creative projects that you can do with herbs, such as making herb-infused oils, creating herbal sachets, or making herb-based art. Why not try making your own plant-based dyes and creating some cool tie-dye clothing?

These activities can be adapted to suit the age and interests of your kids, and can be a great way to foster their curiosity about the natural world and the power of plants.