When Spring sets in the kids begin to get antsy looking towards the end of the school year, and parents begin to look for fun and time consuming projects. This easy, do-it-yourself potted herb garden is the perfect project for the season and will grow along with your kids all summer long.
With yard space at a premium in most Toronto neighbourhoods, clay pots and planters are a perfect fit. They’re also a perfect afternoon project. There are lots of simple, crafty ways to get your kids involved in decorating their pots and the activity can be adapted for just about any age group. All you need is acrylic paint, basic crafting items like stickers and foam cutouts, and buttons, or interesting papers.
Younger kids will love swirling paints together to get just the right colour and older children will take pride in the details they can incorporate. You can use whatever you have on hand to decorate your pots, and your kids will come up with countless variations of designs.
For a craft so easy and fun that also teaches responsibility, wonder where to find your gardening supplies? Check out these resources:
Where: Bill’s Garden Centre 903 Pape Avenue Toronto (416) 466-8283
Bill’s Garden Centre is your go to one-stop-shop for gardening projects of all shapes and sizes, from the most simplistic project to the most involved landscaping. This shop offers gardening materials of all kinds: everything from seeds to potted plants, from tools to containers. Bill’s is a great store with friendly customer service, and it’s the perfect place for a first time gardener to bulk up on supplies. The clay pots range in size from teeny- tiny to large and in charge at great price points. They also offer an assortment of decorative pots in different shapes and colours that could brighten up the most simplistic garden. Plant containers range from modern and sleek design in black and white to pastel colours with delicate lace effect detailing, to Asian style design.
Where: Pulp the Card Shop 348 Danforth Avenue Toronto (416) 462-2812
Pulp is a small store packed with creative and special greeting cards, stationary, and decorative papers that can be used for decoupaging in this project, but which would look equally beautiful framed in your living room. The papers range in price from $3.50-$4.50—a small price that packs a big punch. There are papers to match your décor with graphic bold prints full of colour that your kids will be drawn to, or stick with storybook characters Charlie and Lola for the little ones.
Where: Moss 554 Danforth Avenue Toronto (416) 462-9898
If you’re looking for modern and distinguished furnishings for your garden, or want to bring the outside into your interior, Moss is a great place to start. This store has beautiful furniture that could be used indoors or out, as well as accessories, artwork, and gardening supplies. If your children taken a serious interest in gardening, check out their gardening tools ($12.00) and cute gardening gloves ($9.00) that will make your child feel like a gardening pro.
Where: Peter Paul’s Flowers 319 Danforth Avenue Toronto (416) 461-0704
Looking for a lovely bouquet? A perfect centerpiece? Check out this store for beautifully designed arrangements to bring colour and the feeling of spring into your décor. Peter Paul’s flowers also supplies a small selection of pots for your flowers or small plants, and your child’s own herb garden. Look to this inviting store for unique gardening accessories also.
When it comes to inexpensive craft supplies for your child’s project such as beads, buttons, stickers, foam letters or artificial flowers, don’t forget about the selection of dollar stores located along the Danforth including Price Guard and Discount Plus.
