Birthday present for 2 year old. Is it suitable and safe? Opinions wanted.

[MamaBlue4]

DD is 2 on 8th April.

And I think I've decided on a birthday gift for her. DH loves the idea but I'm wondering if it's "too old" for her to use/learn.

She loves flowers and frilly things but doesn't like dolls or anything like that. In our garden we have loads of space and I was think about fencing a little section off, with a little picket white fence and putting like a sign on it that saying "X's garden" and letting her have our own garden to plant things in - obviously, I'll supervise and help her. Was going to get her some toddler tools and teach her how to plant and dig etc.

But my only thing I can fault about it, is her age and I'd like some opinions on whether if you think it's a wonderful idea or if you think she's too young to be playing around plants and tools (I'll not leave her alone or anything, always will be supervised) DH thinks it'll be fine but I'd other opinions before I start.

And if you think she's too young, have you any present ideas that include plants/flowers?

Thanks, in advance! x

[ChoudeBruxelles]

of course she's not too young. Presumably your not going to give her a chainsaw but some small tools.

[SJisontheway]

I think most 2 year olds would love that. Ds has a littles set of tools I picked up along with a wheelbarrow. The wheelbarrow is a big hit

[Beatrixpotty]

My 2 year old would love that,you only have to watch them digging up a beach!

[MamaBlue4]

No chainsaws - I don't even trust myself with one! Lol

I was just wondering because some of the tools I've seen look sharp and heavy. Any idea where I can get some kiddy ones, tried local stores but no luck.

Didn't think of a wheelbarrow, she'll love that. Thanks!

[SJisontheway]

I got mine in tk maxx

[Chunkamatic]

Pretty sure my DS got a plastic wheelbarrow and plastic tool set for his 2nd birthday from ELC. They weren't sharp but still useful, iykwim. Oh and a watering can, of course!

[AuntieStella]

It's a lovely idea!

You need some things that grow quickly and reliably - nasturtiums? Beans? Peas and sweet peas? And sunflowers. And perhaps something that plays with her expectations like a potato.

[cassell]

Amazon is great for children's gardening stuff. My DM got ds1 this wheelbarrow when he was 2. He did need a bit of help to push it on grass, fine on the patio but he still enjoys using it now a couple of years later.

[MoetEtPantsOn]

Ask at a garden centre for plants that grow quickly. We did a similar thing for my four year old and we got some that came up quickly to keep her interest. I have no idea what they were called but am also overseas so might not be the same names or flowers that would work well. Cress is super fast to grow.

Or obviously you could plant a few that are in bloom already. Again I'm in 30 degree heat here so realise this might not be practical advice in the uk right now!

[PoppyWearer]

That sounds great! I started to grow plants with my DC1 around that age.

[ilovepowerhoop]

Wheelbarrow Play Set 70cm- Assorted Colours?

[thegreylady]

Wheelbarrow is a wonderful toy-we bought one for dgs when he was 2 and it is still used now he is six.As for tools all the big garden centres sell sets of age approptiate tools.
Try //www.plantmenow.co.uk/tools-equipment/childrens-things/yeominis-childrens-tools

[ThisIsMummyPig]

My girls like to get things going on the windowsill, so they can watch them come up in all weathers. We have particularly liked mange tout and tomato plants (but the tomatoes go in the porch to grow on)

The best gardening tools we have actually came from Mothercare, but we have pretty good ones from Tesco too.

Last year John Lewis did a great childs wheelbarrow I occasionally use myself.

[ChippingInIsEggceptional]

TBH I think you are making a bit of a mountain out of a molehill - buy her a kids wheelbarrow, some seeds, a kiddy gardening set (all the garden places have cute ones) and most importantly a small watering can - then let her play in the garden & help her plant her seeds/flowers - she doesn't need 'her own' garden - you have a family garden. Instead of buying a small picket fence or whatever, buy her something else to play with - washable pens & paper, or a single see-saw or something.

[steppemum]

Brilliant!

recommend wheelbarrow, and watering can.
my girls like their gardening gloves if getting muddy (I think they are a waste of time!)

all the seed suggestions are good, I would add a couple of small plants that can go in as plants, and not seeds so she can see something green and water it. violets, herbs are around and will survive if it is still cold.

carrots and lettuce are good because you can eat them. Runner beans are very rewarding - nice a big and dramatic and you can pick raw beans and eat them.
Feed the dead sunflower heads to the birds when you have finished

Add some cress seeds and plant those on kitchen window sill for quick results

On a practical note. Unless we get some seriously warm weather, the ground will be too cold for sowing any seeds in it on 8th April, they won't germinate. You will have to wait a couple of weeks.

[MamaBlue4]

chipping She has pens, crafts and see saw and slide/swing etc. I want something different, something she can grow with. DS1 got a playhouse for his 2nd birthday, still uses it and dd is not allowed in it and so I want something that is only hers - she's recently started getting possessive of things. I'm talking a fence like this not a normal size one. I like the idea.

steppemum Never thought of runner beans and veg! And dammit, forgot about this stupid weather. I might get her the tools and garden set and let her help me plant flowers, and save the growing ones for warmer weather! Thanks for the veg idea :)

Oh any idea on what flowers to avoid like poisonous ones etc? As you can tell not very knowledgeable in the flower department haha.

[wigglesrock]

My parents did this for my daughters at that age. M&S did some tomato plants/sunflower seeds as did Asda. Sainsburys also have kids gardening stuff in at the minute.

[MamaBlue4]

Thanks everyone for the suggestions. I've roped my father into going garden shopping with the twins and I while DH looks after the other two.

[matana]

What a lovely idea! Children won't remember when they're adults what they were given for presents as children. But they'll always remember the times they spent doing fun things with the people they love the most. Making memories is what life's all about. What a lucky little girl she is!

[MamaBlue4]

Bought a pink gardening set from Tesco for her and a few children plant pots in different sizes. Also got her an outdoor apron, rain hat and coat, and loads of seed packets that I'll be putting in a basket for her, that I'll decorate. She's my only DD gotta spoil her a little like I did DS1 :)

DF bought her a wheelbarrow.

Thanks everyone :)

[MamaBlue4]

Her birthday is two days ago, and I've finally got everything set and ready. On Monday morning she'll be with ds1 and her дедушка so I'll have time to set up her garden with help from DH who will be taking the day off work, and then we'll set up her party ready for it to start at 2pm, dd will arrive at 1.30pm.

Very excited, I can't believe she'll be two!

Oh, here's the dress she'll be wearing.

I will post all about it after her birthday :)

[MamaBlue4]

It seems it won't allow me to type Grandfather in Russian but that's what that whole -ш&#108 etc - mess was supposed to be.

[olivo]

I had my own little patch when I was very young, loved it. Remember planting snap dragons and pansies. Dds have tools from B and Q and a wheel barrow from ELc, they love them, especially the watering!

[olivo]

D'oh, have just seen you're sorted! Hope she has a lovely brithday!

[Svrider]

Don't get foxgloves
There poisonous