The usual bulbs sources have closed their web sites for the year. Do you have an unlimited budget? There is a vendor that I saw online when searching for out of season tulips when somebody asked about them for a wedding, which purports to supply what we would consider 'out of season' bulbs but at a dear price.

Is there some particular reason, other than tulips being a flower seen at Easter, for using tulips? They certainly may be 'iffy' about blooming so late in a warm climate and it will take a couple months to form roots and bloom. My prechilled tulips planted in pots in December are in bud now.

My thought is that when a child plants something in dirt, they hope to see good results, and soon. The only summer blooming bulbs that I could think of at a reasonable price would be Abyssinian Gladiolus (acidanthera) and it's a long time from planting to bloom. Another summer bulb, which gives quicker results is caladiums, which come up with color in the leaves and there's no waiting for a blossom. If the planting and growing is the focus rather than a 'traditional' flower, those would be my choices. Crocosmia would be my choice for planting in the ground but they're rather ungainly for a pot.

Nell

How old are the kids? One year I taught a first grade religion class and bought for the kids an Easter lily foam kit. All they had to do was break apart the different pieces of foam and assemble the lily and make a nice wallhanging with it. I wish I had a picture! Then they could give it to a grandparent or parent. Many of the parents commented on how nice the craft was. These foam kits come out at Christmas time, different holidays. Get the ones that don't require glue for less messiness.

Also, I did start seeds with the kids. We did beans and marigolds. I had the kids decorate the pots and then plant up the seeds. I xeroxed the seed package (in color) to make a label for the plant. Kids and dirt though can make a big mess!

May be contact a local craft store and see if they have an age appropriate craft you could get. Such stores like Michaels, AC Moore, JoAnn fabrics.

Unless you can find a source of prechilled bulbs, it's way too late to start. Tulips for forcing are usually chilled and potted before the end of December so they can take root. You might be able to find some prechilled daffodil bulbs; I did last year in Feb.