Facts for Families: Gardening with preschoolers using planters
•May 7, 2025•
by Cheri Burcham
Family Life Educator
Gardening season is almost here. It is a great family activity and beneficial to get children interested when they are young. Have you wondered if gardening outdoors with preschoolers would be too challenging? The Illinois Early Learning Project (IELP) has a tip sheet about teaching children to garden using planters/containers that I would like to share with you.
According to IELP, growing plants in containers of clean topsoil can be safer and easier for children than gardening in “plain dirt” on the ground. Here are some tips for gardening with children in a classroom or group setting or at home—from teachers who have tried it.