Seed saving is the perfect family activity: economical, easy even for the smallest fingers, and endlessly fascinating--a scavenger hunt whose grand prize is next year's garden.

To add to the fun, use markers and crayons to create your own personalized seed packets, complete with flower portraits and relevant observations (Give the zinnias more water next year, Mom!). Affix a snapshot of the plant alongside its proud gardener, and you've got a thoughtful garden gift.

Among the flowers that are the most reliable to grow and easiest to harvest are cleome, morning glory, cornflower, cosmos, impatiens, marigold, sunflower and zinnia. Start collecting your seeds in late August or anytime you spy mature seed heads.

HARVESTING THE SEED HEADS

Pull or clip the seed heads from the plant, holding a bowl or paper bag underneath (if you're saving more than one variety, mark the container to avoid mix-ups). Indoors, open the seed heads over newspaper, discarding the chaff (the seed coverings and other debris). Let the seeds dry on the newspaper in a cool, well-ventilated space for two to three weeks. (We've sometimes skipped this step, and most of our seeds sprouted anyway.)

Meanwhile, decorate your envelopes with photographs of the mature flowers, noting the flower's name and the year grown. Pour in the seeds, seal the envelopes and place them in a plastic container with a lid. Store your seeds in a cool, dry place like your refrigerator or the basement.