Gardening can be fun for all ages. Your young toddler may simply enjoy playing in the dirt and feeling the cool breeze on his skin. In addition to the wonderful sensory experiences of gardening, there is a special gratification in nurturing something and watching it grow. Let your child help you plant this year's garden. Sunflowers, beans, and zinnias are particularly hardy and grow quickly, making great starter plants for the youngest gardener.

Changing Colors

This is a magical science experiment. Your child can concretely see how plants drink.

• Fill a clear glass with water. Add enough food coloring to distinctly color the water.

• Cut the celery stalk and place it in the glass. See how long it takes for the celery to take on the color of the water.

Pressed Flowers

You will be surprised how easy it is to get a nice result from pressing flowers.

• Arrange the blossoms between layers of newspaper or waxed paper. Press them under the wooden blocks or between the pages of the large book.

Hot Potato

You don't have to use a potato for this game; just choose an item that works well for small hands. Avoid the pain of elimination by making the object to be passed a toy or snack treat that the player can take with him when he leaves the circle.

• Have children sit cross-legged in a small circle on the floor.

• Give them an object to pass around the circle. Remind the children to pass it gently without throwing.

• Play music while the children are passing the object.

• When the music stops, the child who is holding the object is eliminated.

Sprout in a Bag

This is a very gratifying activity because your child can see the sprouting process up close.

• Moisten the paper towel with very clean hands and slide it into a zipclose bag. Add seeds and seal. Keep towel damp and place bag in a sunny spot.