The Top 10 Fun Spring Gardening Projects For You and Your Child

Originally Submitted on 2/3/2003.

Gardening can be a great bonding experience. Your child can also learn more about nature and science.

1. The proper tools in the right size are helpful.

Child’s garden gloves available here. A child-sized watering can and other scaled garden tools available here .

2. Make a grass snake.

Fill a sock with dirt and grass seed. Place it in the sun and keep it damp. In 7-14 days, the ‘snake’ will have ‘hair’. For complete instructions, go here.

3. Make a homemade scarecrow for the garden.

Use a large piece of cardboard and a stake to support it. Let your child lie on the cardboard in a funny position and trace, then cut it out and decorate with magic marker, yarn, googily eyes, etc.

4. Let your child plant his or her own Butterfly Garden.

You can order a professional kit for children here that will produce a 4 x4’ garden full of colorful flowers that will attract butterflies as well as other beneficial insects.

5. Plant something thematic, such as a Pizza Garden.

There's a professionally designed one here. 8 of the 10 ingredients in this 4x4’ garden can be used for making pizza.

6. Make a bean-teepee.

Use stakes, poles or bamboo poles 12’ long. Arrange them teepee style in a 5’ circle, leaving room for a small entrance and pushing the ends into the ground. Tie the tops together with heavy twine or masking tape. Plant different kinds of string bean seeds at the base of the teepee, and in a couple of months, the teepee will be covered with beans, leaves and vines.

7. Extend the learning.

Use a digital or throwaway camera to record progress in the garden and learn more about nature and photography. Place a rain gauge in the garden to learn about rainfall. Talk about the different bugs, bees, earthworms, etc., you see.

8. Make a butterfly feeder for the garden.

You’ll need a plastic pot saucer, sand, about 1 T. of cow or horse manure, and an overripe piece of banana, apple or pear. Place sand and manure in saucer with small amount of water and place in the garden and they will some.

9. Make a pretty bird bath or feeder.

Use a tomato cage, anchoring it firmly in the ground and placing a plastic plant saucer inside the top ring. Plant vining seeds like nasturtiums or morning glories. Fill the saucer with water for birds, or punch holes in it for drainage and put seeds in it.

10. Help your child stay safe.

Don't have pesticides around or sharp tools. Watch toddlers and even preschoolers eating things they find on the ground or bright-colored berries or flowers that might be poisonous.

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