Animal House and Childhood

Attract these friendly animals with simple garden ideas to your backyard.

Hello blue jays and robins with a handmade birdbath. Rest a ceramic plant tray on an upside-down flowerpot without a drainage hole, and put stones in it for birds to perch.

House for ladybugs with cup-shaped flowers such as tulips and lilies. But kids who are afraid of bugs love little requirements that bring good luck.

Build a tank pond outside to attract frogs. Also, you don’t have to wash it because they’re drawn to algae. Often, frogs help manage the insect, mosquito, and moth populations.

Attract butterflies by planting large clusters of brightly colored native flowers such as zinnias, marigolds, and milkweed. Visit wildflower.org to find plants in your area.