Considering how gardening helps children learn about the cycle of life and about time, patience, nature, and cause and effect… I can’t think of a better gift for a child than this mini greenhouse by HaPe. Not to mention the cool design — it is made of birch plywood and bamboo and cleverly designed to allow gardeners to open the rooftop for planting and watering. Two sliding doors offer a second access to four double-walled, fully functional plastic trays that can be filled with earth and seeds. It is pretty fantastic!  I have ordered one for my daughter for her birthday  — a real step up from the pint milk containers and fast-to-sprout seeds she has been tending to. A  little garden of her own to love and nurture!

Incidentally, HaPe International is the maker of a great line of all natural bamboo games that were developed by designers, teachers, and technicians from over 15 different nations. It is the world’s first collection of bamboo toys.

Bamboo is the earth’s fastest growing plant — it is easily cultivated and, as opposed to depleting the rain forest of its trees, bamboo is easily replenished; it grows in cycles every 3-5 years. It also combines lightness with stability, and is flexible but very strong.

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-Sara