Are you struggling to find engaging and educational activities for your children outdoors? These 10 best gardening activities for children are a great place to start!
Not only is gardening a fun way to spend time outside, but it also teaches children about responsibility, recycling, and the environment. Plus, there’s nothing quite like watching a seed grow into a bountiful plant under your care.
This article will explore the 10 best gardening activities for children of all ages. From building sunflower forts to creating eggshell countertop gardens, these activities are sure to keep your kids engaged while teaching them valuable skills.
So grab some gardening tools and get ready to turn your thumbs green with these exciting ideas!
Key Takeaways
- Gardening with kids is a therapeutic and relaxing way to spend time with family, especially during quarantine.
- Starting small and choosing easy-to-grow plants are important tips for setting up a garden with kids.
- Herbs and regrowing vegetables from scraps are great starting points for gardening with kids.
- Personalizing pumpkins, building birdhouses, and starting compost piles are fun garden activities for kids.
Why Pick Gardening Activities for Children
Did you know that gardening with kids has numerous benefits? Not only can you see it firsthand with your children, but many studies have proven the benefits listed below. It can teach responsibility and about the environment. Gardening can be a fun way to spend time with your family while learning valuable skills.
Children who participate in gardening activities tend to have a better understanding of where their food comes from and are more likely to try new fruits and vegetables. In addition to learning about nutrition, gardening can also teach children about responsibility.
Children learn how to be patient and consistent in their efforts by taking care of plants. They must water their plants regularly, remove weeds and pests, and monitor growth progress. This sense of ownership over something can boost children’s self-esteem and confidence.
Gardening is an excellent way for children to connect with nature. Spending time outside helps them develop a deeper appreciation for the environment around them. They learn about the different soil types, insects, and weather patterns that affect plant growth. These experiences help foster a love for nature that they will carry with them throughout their lives.
Popular Vegetables to Grow with Children
Growing vegetables with kids is a great way to teach them about healthy eating and where their food comes from. Here are some popular vegetables you can grow with children:
- Carrots are easy to grow and come in various colors, making them fun for kids to harvest.
- Tomatoes are versatile and can be used in many recipes. Kids love watching these juicy fruits ripen on the vine.
- Peppers are a great addition to any garden with their bright colors and exciting shapes. They also add flavor to meals.
- Snap peas are perfect for small hands and make tasty little snacks. Kids will love picking them straight off the vine and munching away.
- Radishes are quick-growing and perfect for impatient kids. They also come in different colors and shapes.
Growing vegetables with your children not only teaches them about healthy eating but also helps them develop an appreciation for nature. You can involve your kids every step of the way, from choosing which veggies to plant to harvesting and cooking them together.
To make gardening more fun for kids, let them personalize their plants by giving them names or decorating their pots. Encourage exploration by letting your child taste-test different herbs or veggies as they grow. And remember that gardening is a messy business – let your children get their hands dirty!
Gardening Activities for Children
Learn about Composting
You can easily teach your kids about composting by showing them how to recycle organic materials into nutrient-rich soil for their plants. This is a one of the great gardening activities for children to reinforce the importance of recycling and sustainability.
Composting involves collecting food scraps, grass clippings, leaves, and other organic materials in a bin or pile and letting them decompose naturally over time. This creates a rich fertilizer that can be added to garden beds or pots to help plants grow strong and healthy.
To get started with composting, you’ll need a container for collecting organic materials and a spot in your yard where you can create a compost pile or bin. You can use anything from an old garbage can to a wooden box or even just a pile on the ground.
Encourage your children to collect food scraps like vegetable peels, fruit cores, eggshells, and coffee grounds, as well as yard waste like leaves and grass clippings. Then show them how to layer these materials in the compost bin along with some soil or finished compost Consider a compost starter to speed the process along if available.
With some patience and regular turning of the pile (using a pitchfork or shovel), you’ll soon have nutrient-rich soil that your kids helped create!
Craft Garden Markers
To create a fun and personalized touch to your garden, try crafting your own garden markers with materials like spoons, popsicle sticks, or Mega Bloks. When looking for gardening activities for children, this is perfect for kids of all ages and skill levels and can be done using items you likely already have at home.
Not only will it add a unique touch to your garden, but it will also help kids learn about the importance of labeling plants and herbs.
To start, gather materials such as wooden spoons or popsicle sticks, paints or markers for decoration, and any embellishments you’d like to add. Have kids decorate each marker with the name of the plant or herb they will label.
If using Mega Bloks, simply attach a piece of paper to the block with tape or glue and write the name on it. Once complete, place the markers in their designated spots in the garden for easy identification.
This simple activity is both fun and functional – perfect for gardening with kids!
Plant a Herb Garden
Now that you’ve made your garden markers, it’s time to move on to the next fun gardening activity with your kids: planting a herb garden! Herbs are not only easy to grow, but they also have practical uses in the kitchen. By planting a herb garden with your children, you can teach them about growing their food and how herbs can be used in cooking.
To get started, choose a sunny spot in your yard or balcony where the herb garden will receive at least 6 hours of sunlight daily. You can either plant directly in the ground or use containers.
The following is an unordered list of steps to help guide you through planting your own herb garden:
- Choose which herbs you want to plant based on what you like to cook and what grows well in your area.
- Buy seeds or seedlings from a local nursery or online retailer.
- Prepare the soil by loosening it and adding compost or other organic matter for nutrients.
- Plant the seeds or seedlings according to package instructions and water regularly.
By planting a herb garden with your kids, you’re not only creating a fun family activity but also teaching them valuable skills that they can use for years to come. Plus, there’s nothing quite like using fresh herbs from your own backyard in home-cooked meals!
Plant a Family Tree
Planting a family tree can be a memorable experience for you and your loved ones as you watch it grow and thrive over the years. It’s one of the best gardening activities for children that will teach them about the environment, nature, and responsibility.
You can choose from popular trees like oak, maple, or apple, or pick something unique that holds significance for your family.
To get started, choose an appropriate location in your yard where the tree will have enough space to grow. Ensure it’s not too close to any buildings or structures that its roots or branches could damage.
Dig a hole that’s twice as wide as the tree’s root ball and deep enough so that it sits level with the ground. Add some compost or fertilizer to help the tree establish itself in its new home.
Then, carefully place the tree in the hole and fill it with soil until it’s level with the surrounding area. Water thoroughly and add mulch around the base of the tree to retain moisture and suppress weeds.
With proper care and attention, your family tree will provide joy and beauty for generations to come!
Egg Carton Planters
Look no further for gardening activities for children then egg carton planters.
Transform your egg cartons into adorable planters that will brighten up any space. This fun and simple gardening activity is perfect for kids of all ages. Not only does it teach them about growing plants, but it also promotes recycling and repurposing materials.
Here are five reasons why you should try making egg carton planters with your kids:
- It’s an inexpensive way to start a garden.
- Kids can learn about different plants and how they grow.
- It’s a creative way to decorate their room or outdoor space.
- They can give the planters as gifts to family and friends.
- It’s a great bonding activity for families to do together.
All you need are some empty egg cartons, potting soil, seeds or seedlings, and water. Cut off the lid of the egg carton and fill each section with soil. Plant one seed or seedling per section and water gently.
Place the egg carton planter in a sunny spot, either indoors or outdoors, depending on the type of plant you have chosen. Watch as your little ones enjoy watching their plants grow!
Make a Butterfly Puddle
Get ready to attract beautiful butterflies to your garden by making a butterfly puddle with just a few simple materials, and you’ll love how easy it is! Butterflies are not only lovely to look at, but they also play an important role in pollinating plants and helping them grow.
Making a butterfly puddle is a great way to provide butterflies with the water and nutrients they need.
To make a butterfly puddle, you’ll need a shallow dish or container that can hold water, some small rocks or pebbles, and some sand. Simply fill the container with water up to about ½ inch deep and add the rocks and sand.
The rocks will provide a place for the butterflies to perch while they drink from the water, and the sand will give them access to important minerals.
Place your butterfly puddle in an area of your garden where butterflies are likely to be found, such as near flowering plants or herbs.
Due to its ease, this is one of favorites for gardening activities for children. You will surely attract more lovely butterflies into your garden all season long!
Make a Sunflower Fort
One way to create a magical outdoor play space for older kids is by building a sunflower fort using tall sunflowers as natural walls and roof. Another favorite on my list of gardening activities for children, this activity not only provides an exciting and unique place to play but it also teaches children about the importance of plants and how they can be used in creative ways.
To build a sunflower fort, follow these steps:
- Choose a sunny spot in your garden or backyard.
- Plant sunflowers close together in a circle or square shape.
- As the sunflowers grow taller, use twine or string to tie them together at the top to create a roof.
- Leave an opening for a door and decorate it with fairy lights or other fun decorations.
As the sunflowers grow, they provide shade from the hot summer sun and create an enchanting hideaway for kids to play in. This activity encourages creativity, teamwork, and appreciation for nature, all while enjoying time outside with family and friends.
DIY Watering Can
Creating a DIY watering can is an easy and practical way for kids to get involved in gardening while learning about resourcefulness and recycling. All you need is a container with a lid, such as a milk jug or soda bottle, and some small holes drilled into the top.
This allows for easy watering of plants without wasting water or over-saturating them. Kids will enjoy making their personalized watering cans by decorating them with stickers or paint.
Not only is creating a DIY watering can fun and eco-friendly, but it also teaches kids valuable lessons about sustainability and taking care of the environment. Using recycled materials to make their gardening tools, children learn that they can create useful items without always relying on store-bought products.
Plus, they’ll feel proud knowing that they helped contribute to the success of their garden with this simple yet effective tool.
Magical Fairy Gardens
Immerse yourself in the whimsical world of fairy gardens, where you can create a magical miniature garden with your little ones. Fairy gardens are perfect for children who love to use their imagination and creativity.
They can be made in any container, such as a flower pot or even an old wheelbarrow. To create a fairy garden, start by choosing a container and filling it with soil. Then, add small plants like mosses, succulents, or ferns to create the base of your garden.
Next, add decorations like tiny houses, bridges, or furniture that fit the theme of your fairy garden. Finally, sprinkle some glitter and add some fairies or other magical creatures to bring your creation to life!
Fairy gardens are a great way to spend time outside with kids while encouraging their creativity and imagination.
Make a Bean Teepee
Transform your garden into a playful hideaway by making a bean teepee – it’s an easy and fun project to do with your kids!
All you need are bamboo poles, twine, and pole beans. Start by arranging the poles in a circle and tying them together at the top. Then, plant the pole beans around the base of each pole. As they grow, they will climb up the poles and create a natural teepee structure.
As with all of these gardening activities for children, a bean teepee is fun for kids to build and provides them with a cozy spot to read or play inside their own little fort. Watching the beans grow and climb is exciting for children as they learn about how plants grow.
This activity promotes teamwork and collaboration as everyone works together to construct the teepee. So, grab some bamboo poles and start building your bean teepee today!
Conclusion
Gardening can offer numerous benefits to children, from teaching them about responsibility and recycling to providing a relaxing outdoor activity that promotes physical activity and mental well-being.
Through this article, we’ve explored the best gardening activities for children of all ages, including popular vegetables to grow and creative ways to enhance their gardening experience. Remember that gardening is an enjoyable pastime and a great way to teach your children valuable life skills.
Involving them in every step of the process of these gardening activities for children, from planting seeds to harvesting crops, instilling a sense of pride and accomplishment that will last a lifetime. So gather your tools and get ready to create memories with your little ones while growing delicious fruits and vegetables!