It's Never Too Early to Start

You might think gardening with a baby means waiting until they can walk, or at least sit up. But babies are sensory learners from day one. The garden offers a rich world of textures, scents, colors, and sounds that no toy can replicate.

Gardening with babies and toddlers isn't about teaching them to weed or plant seeds. It's about exposure. You're building positive associations with the outdoors and laying the groundwork for a lifetime of curiosity about the natural world.

Setting Up for Success

Before you head outside, a little preparation makes the experience better for everyone.

For babies (0 to 12 months):

Use a blanket, bouncer, or carrier to keep them comfortable
Choose a shady spot or go out during cooler morning hours
Keep sessions short (15 to 20 minutes is plenty)
Bring items to them rather than expecting them to move around

For toddlers (1 to 3 years):

Dress them in clothes that can get dirty
Set up a small "yes" space where they can explore freely
Have water available (for drinking and playing)
Accept that they'll eat some dirt. It happens.

Plants to Touch

Texture is one of the first ways babies explore the world. The garden is full of safe plants with interesting surfaces.

Soft and fuzzy:

Lamb's ear (Stachys byzantina) — irresistibly soft, kids love petting it
Sage — soft leaves with a satisfying texture
Dusty miller — silvery, velvety foliage

Smooth and cool:

Succulent leaves — plump, smooth, fascinating to touch
Lettuce — cool, crisp leaves straight from the garden
Nasturtium leaves — round, smooth, almost waxy

Bumpy and textured:

Strawberries — bumpy seeds on the outside
Squash and pumpkins — ridged, interesting surfaces
Tree bark — endless variety of textures to explore

Tips for touching:

Guide their hands gently at first
Name what they're feeling ("This is soft. This is bumpy.")
Let them explore at their own pace
Avoid plants with thorns, spines, or irritating sap

Plants to Smell

Babies have a strong sense of smell from birth. Fragrant plants create powerful sensory memories.

Herbs:

Mint — strong, refreshing, hard to miss
Rosemary — piney, distinctive
Basil — sweet and familiar
Lavender — calming, classic garden scent
Lemon balm — bright citrus smell when leaves are rubbed

Flowers:

Sweet alyssum — honey-like fragrance, low growing
Jasmine — sweet and strong (plant nearby, don't let them grab it)
Roses — classic, but watch for thorns
Scented geraniums — come in dozens of scents (lemon, rose, mint)

How to explore scent:

Gently rub a leaf and hold it near (not on) their nose
Crush herbs between your own fingers and offer your hand to smell
Talk about what you smell ("This is mint. It smells fresh!")
Watch their reactions. They'll let you know what they like.

Plants to Taste (Safely)

Toddlers put everything in their mouths anyway, so why not make it intentional? Edible gardens give them safe options to explore taste.

Safe for snacking:

Cherry tomatoes — sweet, bite-sized, endlessly appealing
Strawberries — the ultimate garden treat
Snap peas — fun to pick, sweet to eat
Blueberries — if you can get to them before the birds
Cucumbers — cool, mild, refreshing

Herbs for tasting:

Basil — sweet, mild, kid-friendly
Mint — strong but safe, fun reaction
Parsley — mild, good for chewing
Chives — mild onion flavor, some kids love it

Edible flowers:

Nasturtiums — peppery but safe
Violas and pansies — mild, pretty on a plate
Calendula petals — slightly tangy

Safety first:

Only offer plants you've grown without pesticides
Teach "ask first" before eating anything in the garden
Keep toxic plants completely out of reach (see list below)

Plants to See

Babies are drawn to high contrast and bright colors. Toddlers love spotting things and pointing them out.

Bright colors:

Zinnias — bold reds, oranges, pinks, yellows
Sunflowers — big, bright, impossible to miss
Marigolds — cheerful orange and yellow
Rainbow chard — colorful stems in red, yellow, orange

Movement and interest:

Ornamental grasses — sway in the breeze
Butterfly-attracting plants — built-in entertainment
Hummingbird favorites like salvia — exciting visitors

Things to spot:

Ladybugs, bees, butterflies
Birds visiting the garden
Worms and rolly pollies in the soil
Ripening tomatoes changing from green to red

Plants to Hear

Sound might seem unexpected, but the garden has its own soundtrack.

Garden sounds to notice:

Leaves rustling in the wind
Bees buzzing around flowers
Birds singing and chirping
Water from a hose or watering can
Seeds shaking in a dried pod (save some lettuce or poppy heads)

Make your own sounds:

Crunch dry leaves together
Shake a gourd or dried seed pod
Splash in a water table or bucket
Tap sticks on different surfaces

Plants to Avoid

Keep these away from areas where babies and toddlers play:

Foxglove — all parts are toxic
Oleander — extremely toxic
Lily of the valley — toxic if ingested
Daffodil and narcissus bulbs — toxic
Tomato and potato leaves — mildly toxic (fruit is fine)
Rhubarb leaves — toxic (stalks are fine)
Castor bean — highly toxic seeds
Angel's trumpet — all parts are toxic

When in doubt, research any plant before letting little ones near it.

Simple Activities for Little Ones

For babies:

Tummy time on a blanket in the garden
Watching leaves move in the breeze
Listening to you narrate what you're doing

For toddlers:

Watering with a small can (expect mess)
Digging with a trowel or spoon
Picking ripe berries or tomatoes
Sorting rocks, seeds, or leaves by size
Hunting for bugs
Helping wash vegetables with a hose

Growing Together

The time you spend in the garden with your baby or toddler might feel simple, but it adds up. You're building familiarity with the natural world, creating positive outdoor memories, and starting a habit that can last a lifetime.

Don't worry about productivity or mess. If your toddler spent the whole time digging one hole, or your baby just stared at a sunflower for ten minutes, that's a successful garden session.

Sensory Garden for Babies and Toddlers: Engaging Little Ones in the Garden