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A Child's Garden: 60 Ideas to Make Any Garden Come Alive for Children

By Molly Dannenmaier

Breathtaking photos. Brilliant ideas. Even if I didn't have a kid, the book would inspire me to be bold and playful in my landscaping.

Growing Curious

Until recently, children played outdoors after school and in the summer. Today, however, children are more likely to spend their free time indoors, watching television, playing video games, or using a computer. But children thrive in the natural world — studies show that they work and mature better mentally, physically, and emotionally when exposed to nature. This book offers a wide range of innovative examples showing how to create special places in which children can experience nature on their own home turf. Featured throughout are miniature paradises that parents and grandparents have designed just for the children in their lives, highlighting an enchanting variety of elements that will make any garden come alive.

Filed under: children, garden design, architecture, beginner, color, food plants, homes, instructional, vegetables

Format: Paperback
Pages: 180 pp.
Book dimensions: 8 x 10 in. (205 x 255 mm.)
Images: 203 color photos, 4 color illustrations
ISBN-10: 0881928437
ISBN-13: 9780881928433

Media reviews

"[Dannenmaier] presents 60 vibrant and inspired landscape plans and innovative weekend projects designed to help motivated parents create imaginative havens that will appeal to both young ones and those who are young at heart."

—Carol Haggas, Booklist

"By delving into 'how children really play,' the book shares stories of families who have transformed time in the garden into playtime, and features the blueprints, photos, and plants that made each garden successful."

—Flower Magazine

"One of the handiest books available to encourage children to learn and thrive in the natural world."

—John Bagnasco, Garden Compass

"Breathtaking photos. Brilliant ideas. Even if I didn't have a kid, the book would inspire me to be bold and playful in my landscaping."

—Growing Curious

"Reminds parents to plan both for open space and hiding places, leaving plenty of room for young imaginations to grow."

—Marty Ross, South Florida Sun-Sentinel

"Packed with luscious photographs and simple techniques and structures you can use to nurture a child's wild side."

—Jessica Walliser, Hobby Farm Home

"This book aims to motivate parents and caregivers who are concerned about children's lack of connection to the outdoors."

—Marcia Eames-Sheavly, American Gardener

"Filled with ideas, this book reveals how to turn any green space into an inspiring one. Find garden plans, learn how to nurture a youngster's green thumb or simply pillage the pages for great ideas for your own yard."

—Nashville Parent

"The book's pictures, taken in both private and public gardens from coast to coast, are inspiring. And the author's suggestions are so delightful, I soon found myself drawing up a list of new features I'd like to add for the kids in my life."

—Jan Riggenbach, Daily Herald (Chicago)

About the author

Molly Dannenmaier

Molly Dannenmaier is passionate about the importance of gardens and nature in enriching children's lives. She has served as children's editor of Garden Design and editor of Landscape Architecture and Parent and Child magazines.