Growing Together: Open Forum

Does anyone have a favorite kids watering can for programs? I'm looking for something that is (a) easy for kids to use, (b) lasts for more than one season (c) cost effective (I need about 12). Bonus points if it's easy to store! 

We've tried a few models but they all fail in one area or another!! 

Thanks!
Katrina

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Katrina Goldowsky-Dill
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Hello Katrina,

Have you tried the 1/2 gallon or 1/4 gallon plastic milk jugs? They are inexpensive and you might even be able to collect them from families and friends, store easily in a crate and should hold longer than 1 season. It is plastic, which I personally try to avoid, but if you can reuse empty ones and get some more life out of them that would be good. Hope that helps:)

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Barbara Halden
Phoenix AZ
6024023718
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These are our favorite from Lowe's (small and easy to use. We fill a big plastic tub and kids can dip and easily manage this size) we store them on a railing with hooks. They have held up for 8 years.

if that is too high budget, we have also used sleeves of solo cups or plastic cups that they dip in water buckets and stack easily. 

Watering plants is one of our kids favorite things to do. Good luck!

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Kim Aman
Grow Garden Grow
Dallas TX
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Whoops forgot the link 

https://www.lowes.com/pd/Style-Selections/5013545423

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Kim Aman
Grow Garden Grow
Dallas TX
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Original Message:
Sent: 05-12-2023 01:31:56 PM
From: Kim Aman
Subject: Watering can recommendations

These are our favorite from Lowe's (small and easy to use. We fill a big plastic tub and kids can dip and easily manage this size) we store them on a railing with hooks. They have held up for 8 years.

if that is too high budget, we have also used sleeves of solo cups or plastic cups that they dip in water buckets and stack easily. 

Watering plants is one of our kids favorite things to do. Good luck!

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Kim Aman
Grow Garden Grow
Dallas TX
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We use these blue cans from home depot. They stack really easily once we are done and typically we start with some tubs filled with water that the kids can dunk into...makes it easier to supervise than the hose :-)

https://www.homedepot.com/p/36-oz-Hummingbird-CL-Blue-Watering-Can-HWC3633/314648854

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Stephanie Nolen
Sequoia Elementary School, Pollinator Garden
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I just ordered these (https://www.amazon.com/Happyyami-Watering-Indoor-Succulent-Vegetable/dp/B08ZHDJL1N/ref=mp_s_a_1_22?crid=1JDW2CVJNG3RC&keywords=watering+can+kids+multiple&qid=1682521351&sprefix=watering+can+kids+multiple+%2Caps%2C134&sr=8-22) and I LOVE THEM and so do the kids. They are a little pricey, but I like them because:

1. They are small and the kids can fill them up by themselves when I put water in a tub or bucket.
   2. Very importantly, they have a rain spout. I like the other ones that people have suggested but I have found that kids even up to the upper elementary age don't take the time to water slowly, so therefore they create those holes in the soil when they water using the watering cans others recommended.
   3. They aren't plastic.
   4. They will last a long time.
   
   Good luck!

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Debbie Gries
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I love the idea of reusing the milk jugs -- because we can use ½ gallon as well!  

I've been creating "water stations" at each bed.  The kids scoop water out of a 5 gallon bucket next to the garden with a quart container that has holes on the bottom.  They then make rain on the plants.  I like this because the containers fit nicely into each other (if same kind) and they have lasted for several years.  If they break, it is no big deal to recycle it and bring out more.  

I am also able to have some students help me make holes in the containers prior to spring.  This technique really only works well in the spring when we have seeds and small plants.  But the nice thing is that I can set the water stations up and then other classes or small groups or one-to-ones can come out and contribute to the garden without me being there.  I just keep 2-3 of the yogurt quarts in each 5 gallon bucket.  
 

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Kirsten Saylor
Saint Paul MN
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Original Message:
Sent: 05-13-2023 02:29:50 PM
From: Debbie Gries
Subject: Watering can recommendations

I just ordered these (https://www.amazon.com/Happyyami-Watering-Indoor-Succulent-Vegetable/dp/B08ZHDJL1N/ref=mp_s_a_1_22?crid=1JDW2CVJNG3RC&keywords=watering+can+kids+multiple&qid=1682521351&sprefix=watering+can+kids+multiple+%2Caps%2C134&sr=8-22) and I LOVE THEM and so do the kids. They are a little pricey, but I like them because:

1. They are small and the kids can fill them up by themselves when I put water in a tub or bucket.
   2. Very importantly, they have a rain spout. I like the other ones that people have suggested but I have found that kids even up to the upper elementary age don't take the time to water slowly, so therefore they create those holes in the soil when they water using the watering cans others recommended.
   3. They aren't plastic.
   4. They will last a long time.
   
   Good luck!

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Debbie Gries
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Katrina,

All of these ideas are great, and I have some schools that use these.  While you asked for cost effective, I also recommend the hard plastic 2-gallon cans WITH A REMOVABLE CAP for cleaning the holes.  Additionally, these have a handle at the bottom so kids can learn to control the water with their lower hand while aiming with the upper one.

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Eugene Tuckwiller
Houston TX
7134985952
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NaomiMontalvo
ElizabethNJ
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I've stumbled onto an upcycle option that works so well for free.

Use empty milk or water gallon jugs.  Using a hot screwer, poke holes near the top corner opposite the handle.  Poking at least 12-16 holes makes a good sprinkler.

I store these outdoors putting the handles over a garden stake.  Can easily be filled at our rain barrel.

Carol Troyer-Shank
Allis School Garden, Madison, WI

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Carol Troyer-Shank
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