written by Abra Lee, Garden Contributor

Since this is my first post of 2012 I must start out by saying Happy New Year to the BluLabel Bungalow Family! The year is so young I thought it would be appropriate to share images from two beautiful children’s gardens I recently visited. From my experience children’s gardens are never boring, have some of the most interesting features, and are always a source of inspiration.

First we’ll take a peak into Longwood Gardens in Kennett Square, Pennsylvania–

This whimsical path in the children’s area is fun, simple, and easy to recreate in any residential garden.

If you don’t have the carpentry skills to build this throne for your busy bees take any chair and paint it with this blue/yellow/green color scheme. These colors are perfect for a children’s seating area. Give yourself bonus points if you add the blue step at the bottom.

Now let’s check out the Naples Botanical Garden in Naples, Florida:

An old crib was given new life with the addition of succulent plants and a baby doll. The aged wood on the crib compliments the straw toy held in the dolls arms.

Purses used as hanging baskets create a fashionable vertical garden.

Recycle a pair of roller skates.

Weathered clay pots are turned into a garden companion and a worn green chair becomes its seating.

Two googly bring this tree trunk to life.

A hollowed out basketball and a sneaker filled with plants hang from this basketball goal to make for a sporty combination.

May you find the time this year to get your children, or the ones in the community, out into the garden so they can create their very own unique designs. Happy gardening to you in 2012!