Marble Pot Gardening with Children

Winter is behind us and the warm weather is here, so time to get in the gardening groove! Gardening is a wonderful way to introduce children to nature, teach them responsibility, and help them develop a love for the outdoors. If you start with easy-to-grow plants like herbs, strawberries, and sunflowers, they will be able to see the fruits of their labor in no time. Additionally, when young gardeners grow vegetables and flowers, you can acquaint them with new flavors by encouraging them to eat what they grow.

Gardening gives children a powerful environment for hands-on exploration in science, math, and art. They will learn about soils, manures, compost, the timing of watering the plants, and the impact of sunlight and weather on the plants’ growth. They will also learn about the ratios of water to soil. 

Follow along to make and decorate a marble pot and then plant a seedling! It is an interesting and simple art project that brings beautiful colors to our clay pot.

Materials Needed

• Clay pot
• White acrylic paint 
• Water 
• Thick paintbrush 
• Small cups 
• Aluminum tray 
• Wooden stick

Instructions

Add white acrylic paint and water to the aluminum tray. The ratio is 1 part water to 4 parts paint. 

Fill each plastic cup with ¼ cup of water. Add the acrylic paint color of your choice to each cup, and stir the paint and water together until it is mixed completely. 

Dip the paintbrush into the paint cups and drop color droplets in the white acrylic paint in different areas. Use all the paints and repeat the process. 

Use a popsicle stick or plastic knife to make a swirl.

Hold the clay pot and roll it lightly on the surface of the paint. Try to cover all areas. 

Let the pot dry.

Your marble pot is ready to plant!

There are many resources available for gardening in the Mercer County Library System. Here are some of my favorites:

I Can Grow Things: Gardening Projects for Kids Shown Step by Step by Sally Walton

Summary: This exciting book contains 16 easy-to-follow projects suitable for every child. An informative introduction covers all the basics, including watering, weeding, and materials, while helpful tips and ideas provide inspiration and encourage experimentation.

Growing Your Own Garden by Rebecca E. Hirsch 

Summary: An easy introduction to gardening for kids with tips and what they may expect.

Love Makes a Garden Grow by Taeeun Yoo

Summary: A grandfather shares his love of gardening with his granddaughter and it keeps them connected through the years.

Every Little Seed by Cynthia Schumerth

Summary: Told through rhyming text, three generations of a gardening family work together to bring a backyard garden to full bloom, from planting to caretaking to harvesting.

My Delicious Garden by Anne-Marie Fortin

Summary: In the depths of winter, one young girl is already dreaming of planting her very own vegetable garden

In Our Garden by Pat Zietlow Miller

Summary: Students create a vegetable garden on their school's rooftop.

Thank You, Garden by Elizabeth Garton Scanlon

Summary: A community garden unites children and neighbors in this celebration of all the things that grow there, from flowers and fruits to friendships.

Gardening Lab for Kids by Renata Fossen Brow

Summary: A refreshing source of ideas to help your children learn to grow their own patch of earth, Gardening Lab for Kids encourages children to get outside and enjoy nature.

- by Chetna Kukreja, Ewing Branch