Winter Garden Activities for Kids: Fun Ways to Enjoy NC Gardening All Season Long
Winter might seem like a quiet time in the garden, but there are still plenty of ways to keep kids engaged with nature! Whether you’re in the mild coastal regions of North Carolina or experiencing chillier mountain temperatures, winter offers unique opportunities for hands-on learning, outdoor fun, and even a little gardening magic.
If you're looking for creative ways to keep kids entertained while also fostering their love of plants and the outdoors, here are some fantastic winter garden activities to try.
1. Plant a Winter Herb Garden Indoors
Just because it’s cold outside doesn’t mean gardening has to stop! Starting an indoor herb garden is a great way for kids to learn about plant growth while also contributing to family meals.
How to Get Started:
Choose easy-to-grow herbs like basil, rosemary, chives, parsley, and thyme.
Use small pots with drainage holes or repurpose old mason jars with a layer of pebbles at the bottom.
Place herbs in a sunny windowsill where they’ll get at least 6 hours of light daily.
Encourage kids to mist the plants and observe changes over time.
Bonus Idea:
Let kids make their own decorative plant markers with popsicle sticks and paint!
2. Feed the Birds with DIY Bird Feeders
Winter is a tough time for birds, and making homemade bird feeders is an easy, rewarding project for kids. Plus, it’s a great way to introduce them to the many native bird species in North Carolina.
Simple Bird Feeder Ideas:
Pinecone Feeders: Spread peanut butter on a pinecone and roll it in birdseed.
Orange Cup Feeders: Cut an orange in half, scoop out the fruit, and fill the peel with a seed mix.
Milk Carton Feeders: Cut a hole in a clean milk carton, decorate it, and hang it with string.
Hang the feeders in a visible spot and keep a journal of which birds come to visit!
3. Go on a Winter Scavenger Hunt
Even in the colder months, there’s so much to discover outdoors. Bundle up and head outside for a garden scavenger hunt!
What to Look For:
✅ Evergreen leaves (like holly or pine)
✅ Animal tracks in the soil or snow
✅ Birds or squirrels gathering food
✅ Frost patterns on leaves or grass
✅ Seed pods or dried flower heads
Encourage kids to take photos or draw what they find in a nature journal.
4. Start Seeds for Spring Planting
Winter is the perfect time to start planning for a spring garden. Kids can get a head start on planting by growing seeds indoors.
Easy Seeds to Start in Winter:
Lettuce & Spinach (fast-growing greens!)
Tomatoes & Peppers (for transplanting in spring)
Native Wildflowers (great for pollinators)
Use egg cartons, yogurt cups, or seed trays, and let kids track the progress as their seedlings grow.
5. Create Ice Sun Catchers
Turn freezing temperatures into an artistic experiment with ice sun catchers!
How to Make One:
Gather natural materials – leaves, pine needles, berries, flowers.
Arrange them in a shallow dish or cake pan.
Fill with water and leave outside overnight to freeze.
Pop it out and hang it with string in a tree.
These nature-inspired decorations look beautiful on a sunny winter morning!
6. Make a Mini Greenhouse with a Plastic Bottle
A great way to teach kids about greenhouse effects is to make a mini greenhouse using a recycled plastic bottle.
How to Make One:
Cut the bottom off a large clear bottle.
Place it over a small plant or sprouting seed.
Observe how it traps heat and moisture.
This is a fun science experiment and helps protect delicate plants in cold weather!
7. Learn About Composting
Winter is a great time to introduce kids to composting. Even if the ground is frozen, food scraps can still break down.
Composting Activities for Kids:
Set up a small indoor compost bin with fruit peels, veggie scraps, and coffee grounds.
Teach kids which materials can and can’t be composted.
Let them mix and turn the compost every few days.
By spring, they’ll have nutrient-rich soil ready for planting!
8. Decorate the Garden for the Holidays
Even in winter, a garden can look festive! Let kids get creative by decorating with natural elements.
Fun Decorating Ideas:
String cranberries and popcorn to hang outside for birds.
Use twigs and pinecones to make a fairy house village.
Create a winter wreath with evergreen clippings and ribbon.
These projects keep little hands busy and add some seasonal charm to the yard.
9. Try "Snow Gardening" (if it snows!)
Snow isn’t guaranteed in North Carolina, but when it does come, take advantage of it!
Snow Gardening Activities:
Make a "snow map" of the garden using sticks and stones.
Build a snow hedge around the garden bed.
Use food coloring in spray bottles to "paint" snow designs.
Even without snow, kids can "draw" garden plans on paper and dream about next season!
10. Read & Learn About Gardening
Cold winter days are perfect for cozying up with a good gardening book. Encourage kids to learn more about plants and nature while waiting for spring.
Great Gardening Books for Kids:
📚 Up in the Garden and Down in the Dirt – Kate Messner
📚 Planting a Rainbow – Lois Ehlert
📚 How a Seed Grows – Helene J. Jordan
📚 The Curious Garden – Peter Brown
Pair reading time with indoor plant activities to bring stories to life!
Final Thoughts: Keeping Kids Engaged with Winter Gardening
Even in the colder months, there’s so much to do in the garden! Whether it’s growing herbs indoors, spotting birds, or making winter crafts, these activities keep kids connected to nature all season long.
By fostering a love for plants and the outdoors now, you’re planting the seeds for a lifelong appreciation of gardening. So bundle up, head outside, and embrace the beauty of winter in your NC garden!
