Encouraging Wildlife in a Kids' Garden

Toads can eat many insects in a garden. To provide a shelter for toads, place a clay pot upside down and prop it up a little.

By Charlie Nardozzie

Kids are naturally fascinated with gardens and plants. At first, it doesn't take much to get them interested in growing vegetables, herbs, and fruits because of the anticipation of eating the produce later on in the summer. But once the garden is planted, often the wildlife is what holds kids' attention on a regular basis. When kids discover toads, frogs, mice, snakes, earthworms, butterflies, and insects, you can engage them in discussions about ecology, wildlife, and the role animals and creatures play in the health of the soil and garden.

You can ensure that your kids' garden will have an abundance of wildlife and insects for children to discover by designing the garden appropriately. When laying out the garden, remember to include the elements that these creatures need to survive and thrive. Sometimes this may mean sacrificing some of your garden's productivity, but the bigger lesson of biology and ecology may be more important than a few extra zucchinis. Here are some tips on designing a kids' garden that will attract wildlife:

Animals and insects need water.

Consider adding a birdbath or a small tub of water. Or create a little muddy area or pool that's filled regularly; this will provide enough water to attract butterflies, birds, and frogs.

Animals and insects need shelter.

Locate the garden near evergreen or deciduous shrubs so birds and beneficial insects will have places to hide when visiting the garden. Consider leaving the lawn grass unmowed in areas around the garden so creatures can hide in it. To make a home for toads, place an old clay pot upside down and prop it up a little. Add bark mulch to paths to encourage earthworms to stay in the garden and remain close to the soil surface, where they are easy to find.

Animals and insects need food.

Plant herbs such as parsley (butterfly larvae eat it) and cilantro (beneficial insects love the flowers) to provide nectar and food sources for insects. If you have lots of insects, other creatures will come to feed as well.