Habitat Exploration at Home
Encouraging children to create and certify their own habitat garden introduces them to basic habitat essentials of food, water, cover, places to raise young, and the importance of not using chemicals. The possibility of discovering butterflies, birds, insects, bunnies, frogs, and toads provides delight and wonder.
Dig In! Adults can help engage children in the process and joys of creating a garden and wildlife habitat.
- Share gardening tasks, memories of your first garden, and your favorite animal. See how one family transformed a small space and worked to Grow a Wild Garden!
- Ask children what sort of wildlife they want to invite to the garden. This will help children identify what plants to include in their garden and if the garden should be located in the sun or shade. For example:
- Monarch butterflies require milkweed and nectar plants.
- Birds require plants that provide seed and berries.
- Salamanders require old logs and moist areas.
- Identify a designated spot for the garden where children are free to dig, plant, and explore with a quiet seat for observing wildlife.
- Start small: cultivate just a small section of your property at first, or plant flowers in pots or other containers.
- Personalize the garden by building or decorating bird houses, steppingstones, or other functional artwork for the garden. Building toad houses and feeders connect children to the space they help create. Children can integrate natural play spaces using natural materials and children’s sculpture.
- Be inspired: explore nearby parks and children's gardens, gardening catalogs, magazines, and websites for ideas on design. Find the right plants by state or zip code to start your garden right away!
- Learn 9 tips for adults who want to make gardening with kids an enjoyable experience.
- Download the habitat checklist to go on a scavenger hunt, identify habitat essentials, then plan and certify your habitat at home.
For more ideas check out our Nature Play at Home—a guide to creating outdoor spaces that boost your children's healthy development and creativity.
Connect Actions to Results
Help children pick a few budding or blooming native plants from a plant sale or garden center that already contains nectar to quickly attract butterflies, hummingbirds, and other pollinators. This can jump start the garden before seed plantings begin to sprout.
Help kids understand how they are planting for a purpose.
A wildlife garden is one way to open opportunities for children to experience unstructured outdoor play and make nature discoveries. Look under rocks for salamanders, watch the pollinators visit flowers, engage the senses using plants, and let the garden become a space for imaginative play. Search your neighborhood for these backyard animals:
For more games, quizzes, and activities check out Ranger Rick Magazine.
