10 Fun Gardening Ideas for Kids in February

1. Flower Pressing with Pansies and Violas

Pansies and violas are not just beautiful winter flowers; they’re also perfect for flower pressing! Gather some of these colorful blooms with your kids, press them between the pages of a heavy book or using a flower press, and in a few weeks, you’ll have beautifully preserved flowers to use in crafts or as decorations.

2.  Planting Early Spring Bulbs

While it may seem early, February is the perfect time to start planting bulbs like daffodils, crocuses, and tulips. Kids will love digging in the soil and planting these bulbs, eagerly awaiting their colorful blooms in the springtime.

3. Creating a Winter Bird Feeder

Help local wildlife by making a DIY bird feeder. You can use pinecones covered in peanut butter and birdseed, or create simple feeders using recycled materials. Hang them in your garden and observe the different bird species that visit throughout the month.

4. Building a Mini Greenhouse

Construct a small greenhouse using clear plastic containers or repurpose old plastic bottles. This mini greenhouse will help start seeds indoors, giving your kids a firsthand look at how plants grow from tiny seeds to sturdy seedlings.

Mini greenhouses are easy to create.  Click here for more information on this activity

5. Designing a Winter Garden Layout

Get creative by planning and sketching out your garden layout for the upcoming spring. Let your kids decide where to plant different flowers and vegetables, fostering their imagination and teaching them about garden planning.  You can even provide them with grid paper and have them draw out their designs like a landscape architect.

6. Making Recycled Plant Pots

Encourage sustainability by making plant pots from recycled materials such as yogurt containers, egg cartons, or newspaper. Decorate these pots with paints or markers, and use them to start seeds or transplant seedlings.

7. Exploring Winter Vegetables

Take a trip to a local farm or farmer’s market to explore winter vegetables such as kale, Brussels sprouts, and winter squash. Let your kids pick out some new vegetables to grow in your garden or to experiment within the kitchen.

8. Learning About Winter Pruning

Teach your children the art of winter pruning by demonstrating how to trim back dormant plants and trees. This hands-on activity not only improves garden health but also provides valuable lessons in plant care and maintenance.

9. Designing Nature-inspired Crafts

Collect natural materials such as pinecones, twigs, and dried leaves to create beautiful nature-inspired crafts. From making leaf rubbings to constructing fairy houses, there are endless possibilities to ignite your child’s creativity.

10. Keeping a Garden Journal

Start a garden journal together to document your gardening adventures throughout the year. Encourage your kids to draw pictures, jot down observations, and note the progress of plants from seed to harvest, creating a wonderful keepsake of your gardening journey.