17 Easy Ways to Garden With Kids
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Quick answer: 17 Easy Ways to Garden With Kids. This guide gives 17 ideas in 4 sections: Fast and easy growing; Tools and kit; Mini gardens; Wildlife helpers. Budget: Under 拢20 to get started. Best for: Ages 3 and up, with adult supervision.
- Time: 10 minutes to a whole afternoon
- Budget: Under 拢20 to get started
- Best for: Ages 3 and up, with adult supervision
There is a special pride in a four year old holding up a lopsided radish and announcing that they grew it. Gardening teaches patience, nurtures curiosity and gets children outside, even if all you have is a windowsill.
These 16 ideas favour fast results and forgiving plants. Always supervise, wash hands after touching soil, and make sure children never eat anything from the garden unless an adult has checked it is safe.
Top tip: Start with plants that reward impatience: cress sprouts in days, radishes in a few weeks and sunflowers grow tall enough to measure against. Quick wins keep little gardeners interested.
Fast and easy growing
Seeds that make fast progress keep small gardeners hooked.
- Cress on a plate: Sprinkle cress seeds on damp kitchen roll and keep it moist. Snip it into sandwiches within a week. A perfect first project. You will need: cress seeds, seed trays.
- Sunflower race: Plant seeds in pots, then measure weekly and compare heights. Staking taller ones helps, and children enjoy recording heights on a chart. You will need: sunflower seeds, bamboo canes.
- Radish rows: Radishes can be ready in about four weeks and are forgiving. Sow thinly and water gently, then wash well before eating. You will need: radish seeds.
- Bean in a jar: Pop a bean between damp kitchen roll and the glass of a jar to watch roots and shoots appear. Part science, part magic. You will need: runner beans seeds, glass jars.
- Herb pots: Mint, chives and parsley grow well on windowsills. Children can snip leaves for pasta, and mint is best in its own pot because it spreads. You will need: herb seeds, plant pots.
Tools and kit
Child sized kit makes children feel like real gardeners.
- Kids tool set: Short handled trowels and forks are lighter and easier to hold. Blunt metal edges are safest, and adults can handle sharper tools. You will need: kids gardening tools.
- Gardening gloves: Gloves keep hands clean and stop scratches from stones. Choose a snug fit so they do not slip around little fingers. You will need: kids gardening gloves.
- Mini watering can: A small can makes watering a job they can do alone. Rose heads give a gentle shower for seedlings, and they are fun to fill from a water butt. You will need: watering can.
- Wellies and apron: Muddy knees are part of the deal. A waterproof apron and old wellies mean no one worries about stains. You will need: kids apron.
Mini gardens
Great for balconies, patios and small spaces.
- Fairy or dinosaur garden: Fill a tray or old sink with soil, add moss and tiny stones, then place toys in the scene. Reshape it each week. You will need: moss, small stones.
- Tyre or crate planter: A wooden crate lined with a bin bag with drainage holes makes a child sized veg bed. Fill with compost and plant lettuce. You will need: compost, wooden crate.
- Windowsill greenhouse: Cover a seed tray with a clear lid to keep seeds warm. Label each row so children can track progress. You will need: plant labels.
- Strawberry planter: Hanging baskets or tall pots keep strawberries off the ground, away from slugs. Children love picking and eating them, after a quick wash. You will need: strawberry plants.
Wildlife helpers
Gardens work best when everyone is welcome.
- Bug hotel: Stack logs, bamboo, pine cones and straw in a sheltered corner. Look for visitors in spring, and keep your hands out of cracks. You will need: bug hotel.
- Wildflower patch: Scatter a mix of wildflower seeds in a small patch of soil and let it grow. Bees and butterflies will find it. You will need: wildflower seeds.
- Bee friendly pots: Lavender, borage and marigolds look pretty and feed pollinators. Place them in the sunniest spot you have. You will need: borage seeds.
- Bug spotter: Give children a magnifier and a notebook to draw what they find. Look but never touch unfamiliar insects. You will need: magnifying glass, nature notebook.
Helpful links and further reading
A few trusted places to find out more.
- Woodland Trust: guide to British trees: Identify trees, leaves and woodland wildlife on your walks.
- The Wildlife Trusts: Find local nature reserves and ways to help wildlife near you.
- RHS school gardening: Free gardening resources and ideas that work well at home too.
Frequently asked questions
What is the easiest plant for children to grow?
Cress, sunflowers and radishes are easy and quick. Beans in a jar are another favourite, because children can see the roots growing.
Do we need a garden?
No. Windowsills, balconies and large pots all work. Herbs, cress and salad leaves thrive in small containers.
How do I keep it safe?
Supervise at all times, wash hands after gardening, and keep tools tidy. Teach children never to eat any plant, berry or mushroom unless an adult confirms it is safe.
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