By Aleta Damm
Earlier this winter, I shared a few simple ways to keep young children connected to gardening during the colder months. If you’re anything like me, by this point in winter you’re counting the days until spring—but toddlers don’t need perfect weather to start building a love for nature. This is part two of ideas that are easy to do at home and help little ones stay curious, engaged, and connected to the natural world as winter winds down and spring approaches.
Start Seeds Indoors
Starting seeds indoors is one of the easiest ways to introduce toddlers to gardening, and it’s something you can do with materials you probably already have. Small cups, yogurt containers, or even egg cartons work just fine. Let your toddler scoop soil into the containers (it will be messy, and that’s okay). With a little help, they can poke a small hole with their finger, drop in a seed or two, and gently cover it back up. Easy seeds like sunflowers, peas, beans, basil, or lettuce tend to sprout quickly and keep interest high. A spray bottle or small watering can will allow them water without overdoing it, and then everything goes into a sunny window where you can check on it together each day.
Watching seeds sprout is a big deal for toddlers. It helps build fine motor skills, introduces the idea of cause and effect, and gives them quick visual feedback. At this age, seeing something grow because they helped take care of it really does feel like magic.
Decorate Plant Markers
Decorating plant markers is another fun way to get toddlers involved before the garden season officially begins. Craft sticks, smooth rocks, or plastic spoons all make great markers, and washable markers, paint, or stickers keep things simple. Toddlers don’t need to write words, simple pictures work just as well. A red circle can mean tomato, green lines can stand for lettuce, and stickers always make things more exciting.
Once spring arrives, these markers can be used in garden beds or pots outside. Toddlers love seeing their artwork in the garden, and it helps them feel like the space belongs to them too. It’s a simple activity that builds creativity, fine motor skills, and a sense of pride.
Explore Nature Even in Winter
Cold weather doesn’t mean nature disappears, it just changes. Short walks outside can still be full of discovery. Try a “stick and pinecone walk,” or stop to look closely at different kinds of bark and talk about how they feel. Bare branches are a great chance to point out buds and talk about what will happen when spring comes. Toddlers can also collect rocks to save for decorating a future garden bed.
These small moments help build curiosity and awareness. Toddlers start to notice changes in the environment and begin to understand that seasons move in cycles, even if everything looks quiet right now.
Help With Indoor Plants
If you have houseplants, toddlers can be part of caring for those too. They can gently dust leaves with a soft paintbrush, mist plants with a spray bottle, or help water small pots while you control the amount. Counting leaves or noticing which plants are taller adds learning without turning it into a formal lesson.
Caring for indoor plants teaches responsibility and gentle touch, and it helps toddlers get used to routines they’ll use outside later. By the time spring arrives, plant care already feels familiar.
Start a Windowsill Microgarden
For toddlers who love quick results, a windowsill microgarden is a great option. Fast-growing plants like microgreens (which are ready in about a week), basil, mint, and chives are all good choices. Use shallow trays or cups, sprinkle seeds over the soil, and mist with water. Toddlers can check on the plants every day and watch them change, while harvesting with scissors stays an adult task.
Micro Gardens are especially rewarding because they grow so quickly. They’re easy for little hands to manage and help toddlers feel successful before the outdoor gardening season begins.
Gardening with toddlers doesn’t have to wait for warm weather or perfect conditions. These simple winter activities help build skills, confidence, and a real connection to nature—one scoop of soil or tiny sprout at a time. Even more importantly, they create shared moments of curiosity and joy. When spring finally arrives, your toddler won’t just be ready to garden—they’ll already feel like a gardener.