Names: Anna, Bryce, Grace (8) and Harris (5)

Five years ago we started this children's garden project not having any idea how amazing it would be for our family. I honestly think that it is one of the best things we could have done for our children. We play, grow, learn, read, relax, picnic, party and create in this garden.

We began the garden by following a plan we found in a children's magazine (which is no longer published) and over the years we have changed and expanded the project to fit our needs. The garden was originally intended to appeal to the five senses and it still does. We grow things that we eat (blueberries, herbs, a few vegetables and some flowers), we have plants that are wonderful for touching (herbs, lambs ear, lavender), the flowers smell wonderful (as does chocolate mint, corsican mint, and basil), and, of course, the whole garden is beautiful to look at from a distance and up close!

The center of the garden is a very large sandbox that my husband built. It's lovely because it is wide and deep and has provided hours of entertainment for the children. Every year we plant new flowers from seed and watch them grow. Last year we even saved our sunflower seeds and are delighted to see them sprouting and growing this year!

A bamboo tunnel is the entrance to the garden. By the end of the summer it is covered in vines and flowers! On either side of the tunnel is a simple fence that helps make the garden private. Sunflowers, zinnias and marigolds bloom in front of the fences all summer. There is a patch of grass on the inside of the garden and it's perfect for picnics or just laying on a blanket.

The garden has truly provided us with hours of family time together!

You can read more about Grace and Harris' children's garden on Anna's blog, The Princess and the Frog. We especially love Mr. MacGregor's (boot) garden!