Zen gardens focus on the process and help participants subtly shift from a stressed to a calm mindset. This is a perfect way to help bring a little bit of mindfulness and peace into your library.
Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion: Library programming is designed to be fully inclusive. Age limits may be implemented in certain programs to ensure that program content fosters appropriate developmental markers.
Display this sign or a poster next to your zen garden table that highlights the rich history of zen gardens (originally from Japan).
Accessibility: Create a larger zen garden with larger tools and manipulatives for individuals with limited small motor function. Use the lid to a box of paper reams for a tray. Purchase sand toys from the dollar store and add larger stones or faux greenery.
Mode: Passive
Staff Energy: Low
Ages: 12-adult
Cost: Varies
Length: n/a
Ideal Attendance: n/a
STEAM Practices:
✓ Art
✓ Engingeering
Tags: nature, passive, teens, adults, adaptable
Credit: Kate Davis
Supplies:
(Commonly on-hand supplies are not included in cost breakdown.)
There are so many options, both free and purchased, for Zen gardens. This supply list gives you ideas for both.
Tray:
Shallow bowl
Small boxes you can cut to size
Shoe box lids
Crafter’s Square Wooden Trays (7.5”x6”)$1.25/ea
Zen garden tray ($8.46)
Zen garden tray 14 3/4″ x 8 1/4″ x 2″ ($14.88)
Plant saucers ($11.99/5 pack of 6” saucers)
Sand:
Craft sand on hand
Craft Sand 1.1 lb. ($1.25/ea)
Tools:
Disposable forks, spoons, knives
Paintbrushes
Toothpicks, skewers
Zen garden tools ($19.99)
Accessories:
Rocks, moss, jewels, shells, faux plants, air plants, etc. (Purchase at a dollar store if you don’t have them on hand.)
Pre-made kits:
There are countless styles available online. Most are $15+ per kit. The following are some examples.
Cairn and Rake Zen Garden $24.50
Nature’s Mark Zen Garden $16.14
Total Cost: as low as free
Instructions:
Patrons can tend a zen garden, spending as much or as little time as they’d like.
Staff Know-How
Planning, Set Up & Facilitation
- Obtain any mindfulness-themed decor you’d like to use.
- Unpackage kit pieces and set them up.
- Cover your display table with a neutral/cool-toned tablecloth.
- Set up books/dvds/resources on table and intersperse your zen gardens. Make sure that tools and accessories are easily reachable for all patrons.
Pro-Tips
- Set up display in an area from which staff have direct sightline so they can help minimize possible misbehaviors.
- Arrange for staff to tidy up the table throughout the day.
Marketing & Promo
Book Suggestions
Resources are availabe in the SHARE catalog as of May 2025.
Juvenile titles:
Mindfulness and my body (Watts, Rhianna)
Sky Sweeper (Gershator, Phillis)
Take a moment: 50 mindfulness activities for kids (Christelis, Paul)
World of Mindfulness (Alladin, Erin)
Worry Monster: Calming Anxiety with Mindfulness (Cook-Cottone, Catherine P.)
Zen Doodling (Williams, David)
Adult Titles:
Breathe in Calm: Yogic Breathing & Mindfulness Tools for Instant Anxiety Relief (Wegesin, Domonick)
Gift of Presence: A Mindfulness Guide for Women (Welch, Caroline)
Japanese Zen Gardens (Kawaguchi, Yoko)
Real Change: Mindfulness to Heal Ourselves and the World (Salzberg, Sharon)
Zen Gardens: The Complete Works of Shunmyo Masuno, Japan’s Leading Garden Designer (Locher, Mira)
Reusability
- Use supplies for a fairy garden display/passive activity.
- Use supplies for a display/passive activity on Japanese history (possibly during AAPI month (May).
- Put out Zen gardens during book clubs or other programs where calm and focus is called for.