Gardens provide endless opportunities to learn and discover.

Did you know?

Gardening is great for showing toddlers how plants need care, and demonstrates longer cause and effect relationships.

Add Language

Provide words to go with what your toddler is seeing, doing, feeling and experiencing – use action words, describing words and words that relate to place e.g. in, on, under, next to etc. Keep your sentences only one or two words longer than your toddler uses e.g. your toddler says “ant” you could say “yes, little ant” “ant’s running fast”

Other development

Toddlers love to get involved and help you in the garden. They will feel proud as they help you plant seeds, water plants and watch them grow.

Children’s garden tools are great for developing strong hands and motor skills.

Variations

Try visiting a nursery and looking at the different plants. You could talk together about what makes them different or the same and what would be good to try growing at home.

You could visit the local library and look for books about gardens.

Safety

Supervision is required to ensure toddlers are safe from harmful insects or plants. Check the garden for any chemicals (pellets, sprays) or dangers before exploring. Always use sun protection when playing outside & supervise around water. Make sure children wash their hands after gardening.
Kid Safe has put together a fact sheet on toxic plants and kids, you can view it here.

Across the ages

All the activities listed on our “Play Ideas” page can be applied across different age groups. See how gardening can be a fun activity for babies, children and playgroups.

 

Activities listed under “toddler” are suitable for children aged 1-3 years. Toddlers enjoy activities that include exploring their environment and finding out how things work.

Play ideas