Or use a tripod support to train climbing plants such as sugar snap peas, beans or nasturtiums to grow a live teepee. The floor can be covered with a section of old carpet or planted with clover or thyme. Photograph courtesy of Phil Heiple. Gardening activities do not have to be limited to just planting a garden. Raking fallen leaves into piles, for example, is work to an adult but can be great fun for a child.
Children also enjoy making decorations, like scarecrows, for their gardens.
More than just plants grow out of helping a child tend a garden. Gardening gives children a sense of responsibility and accomplishment and enables them to learn about the environment and about the relationship between plants and people. And most importantly, gardening is a great way to spend time together as a family. The Great Plant Escape Photograph courtesy of Judy Sedbrook.