If you’ve been here since the beginning, then you’ll remember the “diggers and dumpers” sensory box I made for C as a Christmas present. It was a big hit and C still enjoys it but I’ve been feeling like it’s time to change it up. So a few weeks ago I exchanged the pinto beans for black beans (to imitate soil) and put together this vegetable garden sensory box.
I found a lot of my supplies at Target. (The gloves, trowel, and watering can were in the dollar section. The yellow tub was $6.99 and the planting boxes were something like $1 – $3 for a dozen.) I also used the seed packet printable included in this month’s Action Pack online magazine – remember I hinted about it here? And, of course, I had to throw in a free printable to make those cute little veggie markers. Click through for that as well as the step-by-step on how I made the veggies themselves.
First up are the veggie markers. Just print this free template onto some card stock and cut out the squares. Then indulge in a few popsicles with the kids and save the sticks. Cut them in half and attach your veggie markers with a glue stick.
Making the veggie tops is a little more involved but it’s a great craft project for the kids. Start with an empty egg carton.
Cut the section that held the eggs into rows.
Then paint each row orange, red, and purple (for carrots, radishes, and eggplant – of course).
When you’re done, they’ll look something like this.
Next cut out each individual egg holder. Then use something sharp (a meat thermometer was my weapon of choice) to punch a hole through the top and thread in some green pipe cleaners.
Trim and bend the pipe cleaners on the inside of the veggie tops.
The final step is to place them inside the pots with some “soil”. This box has been a great tool for imaginary play. C loves to fill the pots with the trowel, pour in some seeds, water, label, make the veggie tops appear, and repeat (and repeat and repeat). Hope you enjoy this one as much as we do!
For More Earth-Friendly Kid Activities, Check Out:
- How to Make an Up-cycled Inventors Box
- DIY Plantable Paper Earths
- Kitchen Science: Growing from Food Scraps with Kids
- Veggie Garden Sensory Bin (with free vegetable marker printables)
- Natural Play Spaces: Children’s Veggie Gardens
- Make Like a Montessori Mama Series: Part 2 – Plant Activities
- Mason Jar Yarn Vases
Need help feeding your toddler?
Sign up for our newsletter to get a handy stick-it-your-fridge list of our favorite meals for toddlers and a link to all of the recipes!