Whether you're looking for something fun or educational for kids to enjoy outdoors, visiting a dude ranch can be a great option. Many towns and cities have at least one ranch, but if yours doesn't, check the neighboring areas. Dude ranches can provide hours of education and fun. Plan to spend at least a few days at a dude ranch, or longer if you can. Many dude ranches are equipped with lodging to make for a fun family vacation and provide easy access to get the most out of your visit. There often is too much to see and do to fit into just one day.

Horseback riding is perhaps one of the most popular activities for kids when visiting a dude ranch. Call ahead to make sure the ranch you are interested in offers horseback riding at your child's skill level. Some even offer classes for beginners that can also include simple hands-on horse care.

Hayrides allow kids a unique adventure and educational opportunity. Campfire cooking can help prepare kids for future camping trips, as well as give them hands-on experience in outdoor survival skills. Fishing is another fun activity for kids that teaches survival skills and is available at many dude ranches.

Cattle roundups can be fun for kids to watch. During the roundup, a parent or guide might explain the purpose behind rounding up the cattle. Children's rodeos are another fun event that often can be found at dude ranches, so don't forget those cowboy boots. You and the kids will need them for many of these experiences. They'll also look great during dancing and other country and western fun that is bound to happen at a dude ranch.

Swimming, hiking, rock climbing and canoeing are other common dude ranch activities for kids. You might also find other activities such as sewing, churning butter, collecting eggs. Many dude ranches even offer hands-on educational and activity classes for kids. The great outdoor activities at a dude ranch can keep kids busy and also provide great exercise. Many lessons and family memories can be had by visiting a dude ranch with kids.

Most kids love the idea that they can do something adults do. They also seem to love it when those efforts are useful to others. Bucket gardening is just such an activity. It's easy, fun, and can be used over and over by the family or someone in need. It's important to teach kids life skills, as well as help instill in them a helpful and giving attitude toward others. Bucket gardening can do just that.

All kids will need is a 5 gallon bucket, various vegetables to plant, an egg, and some soil enriched with plant food. They may also want to wear a sun hat and some gardening gloves. Planting a tomato in the center is said to be a tradition of the bucket garden. Other vegetables can be planted around it. The egg should be cracked and put underneath the tomato plant for extra fertilizer. It's a good idea to use a variety of vegetables and herbs to get the most use out of the bucket garden when it grows. You may want to buy enough supplies so that you also can plant one as a way to instruct the kids on how to make a bucket garden.

From planting the bucket garden, the kids gain skills and knowledge on growing their own food. Other benefits of gardening include exercise and stress relief. The bucket garden can be placed on a patio, near a sunny apartment window, on a balcony, or on the porch.. This versatile garden is portable and easy to maintain in a variety of living conditions. Because of this, bucket gardens are often given as a gift to the hungry.

This is where the lesson on being helpful and giving comes in. Kids can make a bucket garden to give to the hungry. It can even be turned into a friends and family event where your child's friends and family can all gather to make these bucket gardens for those in need of a food supply. Bucket gardens are very ideal for the hungry because the gardens will produce vegetables again and again, rather than be a one-time use, as with canned vegetables.

Source:
http://www.examiner.com/x-8250-Denver-Gardening-Examiner~y2009m6d8-Bucket-gardens-for-the-Denver-hungry