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Miniature Garden for Children

From "DIY Crafts"
episode DIC-232

Child's Miniature Garden

Figure A

Figure B

Figure C

Figure D

Materials:

Flat plastic plant dish (figure A)
Pieces of broken pottery (to cover holes in plant dish)
2 small juniper plants
Garden gloves
Soil
Moss (the type depends on the climate in your region)
Scissors
Blue pebbles or small rocks
Small piece of wood
Toy farmhouse
Two toy fences (one round and one square)
Miniature toy horses
Miniature toy cows
Miniature toy pigs
Collection of small rocks

Cover the holes of the plant dish with pieces of pottery such as terra cotta pots.
Take the juniper plants and break up the soil and roots.
Tip: Take one root of the juniper plant and wrap it around the soil (figure B) and replant into the miniature garden.
After the juniper plants have been planted in the miniature garden, add enough soil to fill the plant dish.
Add the moss on top of the soil. Note: Many types of coverings -- as long as they are green, such as leaves, etc. -- can be used in place of moss.
To create the illusion of a stream, cut a portion of the moss -- or green covering -- and add the blue pebbles or small rocks. Add a small piece of wood to simulate a bridge (figure C).
Add the toy farmhouse under one of the juniper plants.
To create corrals, add the two fences (one round and one square) and miniature toy horses and cows.
Add some small rocks under and behind the juniper plants.
Distribute some miniature toy animals of your choice throughout the miniature garden (figure D).

Tip: Be creative with this project and have your children help.

Products: Available at garden centers and toy stores nationwide.

RESOURCES :

Build It Together: 30 Easy Woodworking Projects for Kids and Adults
Author: Katie Hamilton & Gene Hamilton
Publisher: Stackpole Books
ISBN: 0811724212

Kid Style Nature Crafts: 50 Terrific Things to Make With Nature Materials
Model: 0806909978
Author: Gwen Diehn & Terry Krautwurst
Preprint Edition (April 1997); 144 pages