Spring is the ideal season to get your preschooler's hands dirty while teaching her about gardening. If you don't have space at home for a garden, no problem! Your little one can enjoy this fun botanical activity with a minimal amount of space on your patio. She'll also learn new skills and hopefully develop an appreciation for watching things grow.
1. Visit the garden center at your preferred home improvement store. Lowe's and Home Depot might automatically come to mind, but don't forget Ace Hardware on Kuykendahl in The Woodlands, in case that's a closer drive for you. Other department stores like Walmart or even the supermarket might have what you're looking for.
2. Purchase small pots (plastic or clay), potting soil, and seeds. *If you purchase clay pots, you can also let your child paint the pots before starting the gardening project. We recommend using acrylic paints. *You can skip this step completely and repurpose old cups, egg cartons, or even Playdough containers, which will all make excellent planters!
3. What seeds will you buy? That's easy! Ask your child what she'd like to grow! We recommend starting with sunflowers, beans, and peas, as they're easy to grow and will be a good size for your preschooler to grasp in her hands. However, feel free to try a variety of different types of seeds according to your child's wishes, because you never know what will grow! Just be sure to have enough planters on hand.
3. Follow the instructions on the seed packets to plant the seeds in the pots. Help your child label popsicle sticks (use letters, pictures, or stickers) to create mini stakes for each plant. *Make sure your child is dressed appropriately for gardening, and don't fret if she gets messy! That's the best part about gardening!
4. Water the seeds according to the packet instructions, and set them in an ideal area for sunlight. Be sure to explain to your child that the seeds will need water and sunlight in order to grow and thrive.
5. Take your child outside each day to check on the plants. Many seeds will sprout within only a few days.
Expand upon this simple gardening activity by reading books about gardening, measuring and graphing the plants as they grow, and helping your child recycle food scraps into a compost pile.
