Celebrate Earth Day with hands-on learning, nature play, and a little bit of garden magic!
With Earth Day coming up on 22 April, there’s no better time to roll up your sleeves, dig into some dirt, and explore sustainability with your little one - right from your own home.
At Milestones Early Learning, we know that children develop a deep connection to nature when they’re given the time and space to explore it. Many of our centres offer opportunities for children to engage with veggie gardens, worm farms, and outdoor learning spaces - helping them understand where food comes from and how to care for living things.
And the best part? You don’t need a big backyard to start a little garden at home.
Why Gardening Is Great for Kids Under 5
Gardening is one of the most engaging, hands-on ways for children to explore the world around them. It’s simple, screen-free, and filled with opportunities to learn through play.
It helps children:
- Build fine motor skills through digging, planting, and watering
- Develop patience and a sense of responsibility
- Understand how food grows and where it comes from
- Connect with nature in meaningful, sensory-rich ways
- Experience pride and confidence as they watch something grow
Whether they’re helping you water a pot of herbs or digging in the dirt to look for worms, children are building an appreciation for nature that lasts a lifetime.
No Backyard? No Problem!
You don’t need a backyard to give your child a green thumb. Even a sunny windowsill can become a garden with a little imagination!
Here are some simple ways to start:
- Grow herbs on a windowsill - basil, parsley or mint are great for beginners
- Reuse containers - egg cartons, yoghurt tubs or milk bottles can all be repurposed as planters
- Try vertical gardening - wall-mounted pots or hanging baskets work well in small spaces
- Use child-friendly tools - little watering cans and trowels help build confidence
Easy Plants to Grow with Little Ones
Fast-growing, sensory-friendly plants are ideal for under-fives. Try:
🌿 Basil or mint - quick to sprout, fun to pick, and great for sensory play
🥬 Lettuce - grows quickly and can be picked again and again
🥕 Carrots - exciting to grow from seed (even if you’re just watching the tops!)
🌻 Sunflowers - big, bold, and magical to watch as they reach for the sun
🌱 Snow peas - climb fences or stakes and are fun to harvest
Let your child pick the plant, give it a name, and help care for it every day. These small actions build care, curiosity, and a growing sense of independence.
Let Them Take the Lead
Gardening is the perfect opportunity for child-led learning. Encourage your child to:
- Choose what to grow
- Water their plant daily and look for changes
- Talk about what they see – new leaves, worms, bugs, or flowers
- Celebrate each little win, even if the garden isn’t perfect
It’s not just about growing plants - it’s about growing a sense of wonder and responsibility.
These hands-on experiences echo the themes we explore in our Aussie Wildlife Champions program, which is part of our School Readiness program for children aged 3–5. Through this program, children are introduced to Australia’s incredible biodiversity and learn why conservation and caring for the environment matters - in ways that are age-appropriate, inspiring, and fun.
Sustainability in Action at Milestones
While not every centre has a garden, many of our services support children to learn about sustainability through:
- Learning to reduce, reuse, and recycle
- Taking part in water-saving activities
- Caring for worms, plants, and living things
- Talking about food waste and how to care for the planet
Our approach to sustainability is woven into meaningful experiences that reflect children’s interests and our shared responsibility to protect the environment.
Let’s Grow Together
Whether you're planting herbs on a windowsill or digging up a patch in the backyard, gardening is a joyful way to connect with your child and the Earth - and a perfect way to celebrate Earth Day together.
Want to see how we help children learn about nature, sustainability, and the world around them?
Find your local Milestones centre and book a tour today.
Let’s nurture a love for learning - and for the planet - one little garden at a time.