(5.0 out of 5)
(3.5 out of 5)Children’s Watering Cans
First of all, let me say that if you have purchased a Robbie Ducky Garden Collection Duck Kids Watering Can from Joanne’s Fabrics, it has been recalled, due to the beak containing lead.
Now, onto the fun part…
My granddaughter is no different than any other child when it comes to watering cans. Let me back up and say, that my granddaughter is no different than any other child when it comes to water.
Choosing a watering can for a child
is not a difficult task, as long as it has a spout, a handle, and a hole in which to fill it. Contrary to adult gardeners, a child’s watering can will not become an ornament in the garden. Styles for children watering cans are becoming as diversified as those for adult gardeners. Regardless if you are young or old, here are some tips for choosing the right watering can for a child.
If you remember the children’s book, “The Tale of Peter Rabbit” by Beatrice Potter, you will remember that Peter is chased by Mr. McGregor and finds refuge in a watering can filled with water. Sopping wet, he avoids being made into a rabbit pie, but sits shivering in the shallow water. This is not exactly what watering cans are used for, but it did make a good shelter for Peter Rabbit at just the right time.
Whereas an adult can be interested in the shapes of watering cans, a child could most likely care less, although they too, like adults, can be very interested in the colors and designs of the watering can. The variety of watering cans for children are abundant. A history of the watering can can be found here.
From Haws’s creation of the first watering can, to the creation of a child’s watering can, there are a plethora of choices when it comes to choosing the best one for a child. You can choose plastic or tin. Breakable choices are not recommended, for obvious reasons. Children tend to gravitate toward bright colors, which explains why most children’s watering cans are made with bright colors. Watering cans made for adults are made with functionality in mind. Although they are made to be appealing to the eye, they are made for a purpose: to hold water, and to water plants with ease.
Depending on the design of the watering can, for young or for old, can put you into a range of prices. The range of price depends on the materials used and the intricate design on the can. It also depends on the brand name.
How do you choose the right watering can for a child? First decide if the child will be using it as a toy or to help grandma in the garden. When choosing a child’s watering can, size is extremely important. If the can is too large, not only will it not fit under the water faucet, but the child will get frustrated trying to carry it. If it is too small, the child will get frustrated making so many trips to the water faucet. However, if it is an extremely warm day, it won’t matter. The child will end up playing in the water and forget about watering plants. This is probably the preferred activity anyhow.
Using a water can with a child can and should be educational, as with many part of life. You can teach them the parts of a watering can and what their function is. For example, at the end of the spout is a small, round piece known as the ‘rose’. This is the part with the small holes in it; the part used for pouring. The watering can can also have a brace that supports the spout. You might use the nursery rhyme “I’m A Little Teapot”, changing it a bit, in order to teach the parts of a watering can to a child. Instead of singing, “I’m a little teapot, short and stout…”, You could change it to “I’m a little watering can…”.
If the child’s watering can has a top handle, it will make it much more convenient for the child to carry it. There are also watering cans that are made with a single loop from top to bottom which also serve the same purpose. While a plastic watering can is light and unbreakable, you’ll find yourself replacing it several times when used by child. That’s just how it goes. A tin watering can would be a better investment, but can also be more expensive. However, its lifespan will be longer. If your decision is to go with steel, make sure it is galvanized to avoid rust. If you decide to purchase a copper watering can, it will last forever and can be handed down from one generation to the next.
For safety reasons, do not allow a child to carry water that contains fertilizer or any other chemicals to be used in the garden. This should go without saying.
Cleaning the watering can will most likely be necessary once in a while, especially if the child occasionally fills it with rocks which will get stuck in the spout.
If you want to be practical, a brass watering can would be the best choice in terms of corrosion and also hard water deposits. Make sure when choosing a child watering can, that the end of the spout is higher than the container.
A few tips when teaching a child about using a watering can: never leave water in a can, because if it freezes, it can break it and put it away when you’re finished with it, as if it’s plastic, this will protect it from the sun which could cause it to deteriorate more quickly.
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