10 Easy and Fun Gardening Activities to do with Kids

Gardening is a great way to get kids outdoors and learning about nature. It’s also an activity that can be done together as a family, making it even more fun! Today I’m sharing 10 fun gardening activities for kids that you can do together.

Gardening provides a great opportunity to teach kids about plants, soil, and nature in general.

Not only is it a great way to bond as a family, but the tasks involved in gardening provide learning experiences for children of all ages. From setting up raised planters in the backyard to helping pick different types of seeds to grow, there are numerous gardening activities that can help grow your little ones’ knowledge (while having fun!).

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What are the benefits of gardening with kids?

Gardening helps children learn life skills such as responsibility, hard work, and resilience. Working together to nurture a garden also teaches kids the importance of patience, teamwork, and problem-solving.

Additionally, gardening provides an opportunity for children to explore their creativity and express themselves through their unique ideas and designs. It’s an excellent way to strengthen their bond with nature!

My daughter Laura growing her very own cantaloupe.

When my kids were little they loved helping me in the garden. And we had a lot of fun planting and growing different plants each year. Our garden has always been small – just a few raised beds and a few container gardens too.

Be sure to check out my articles on square-foot gardening and download my free printable square-foot garden planner!

Gardening Helps Kids Connect with Nature

Gardening with kids is a great way to teach children about the environment and how to take care of it. It’s also an opportunity for them to learn about nature, develop their motor skills, and even bond with family members.

Gardening can help children understand the importance of taking care of plants, animals, and the environment as a whole. It can also help them develop patience and responsibility as they watch their plants grow over time.

Not only does gardening provide educational benefits, but it can also be a fun activity that encourages creativity and exploration. With some planning and guidance from adults, gardening with kids can be an enjoyable experience that will benefit them in many ways.

Connecting with nature through gardening will help children build a lifelong appreciation for the environment.

10 Gardening Activities to Do with Kids

So if you’re looking for creative ways to engage your kids while giving them valuable lessons, look no further. Here are 10 awesome gardening activities perfect for kids.

#1 Plant Flower Seeds

Watching a flower grow from a tiny seed is an amazing experience for kids of all ages. Give your kids some flower seeds of their choice and help them plant the seeds in a garden bed or pot and watch them grow!

Growing flowers from seed is a fun and rewarding activity for kids. There are many easy flowers to grow from seed that are perfect for young gardeners, such as sunflowers, sweet peas, calendula, cornflowers, morning glory, zinnias, and nasturtiums. All of these flowers are easy to start from seed and don’t require much maintenance.

#2 Grow an Herb Garden

Use recycled cans or other containers to make herb gardens with your kids. Plant different herbs in each container, such as basil, parsley, thyme and chives. Herb gardens are both functional and beautiful.

Herb gardening is a great activity to do with your kids because it teaches them about the environment and sustainability, while also providing delicious food for the family. Plus, it’s an easy way to introduce your kids to gardening and get them excited about growing their own food.

#3 Plant a Butterfly Garden

Attracting butterflies to your garden is a great way to teach kids about metamorphosis and the lifecycle of butterflies. Planting native flowers that attract butterflies and provide nectar will bring these beautiful creatures into your garden.

Creating a butterfly garden is also an excellent way to help support local wildlife.

#4 Go on a Garden Scavenger Hunt

Create a list of items for your kids to find in the garden, like leaves, twigs, bark, etc., and see who can find them all first! This is a great way to explore the garden and teach kids about their environment.

Garden scavenger hunts are also a fun way to get your kids excited about observing nature. They can learn more about all the different plants and animals in their backyard while having a blast at the same time.

Download and print this free Garden Scavenger Hunt for kids!

#5 Make Magical Fairy Gardens

Let your kids use their imaginations to create magical fairy gardens full of tiny houses, furniture, and decorations made out of natural materials found in the garden. These gardens can be a fun and creative way for kids to explore nature and express themselves.

Fairy gardens are also a great way to get your kids interested in gardening, as they will be eager to see their creations come to life. Plus, the garden can become an ever-changing work of art as it grows over time!

#6 Plant Vegetables

Growing vegetables is both educational and rewarding! Have your kids pick out what they want to plant and help them care for it throughout the season.

Not only is vegetable gardening great for teaching kids about the importance of healthy eating, but it can also be a fun family activity. There are many vegetables that are easy to grow and require minimal maintenance, such as radishes, lettuce, carrots and tomatoes.

#7 Make Garden Soup

Gather up some fresh veggies from the garden (or store) and let your kids help you make delicious soup! This activity is a great way to spend quality time with your kids and teach them about the importance of eating healthy.

Making garden soup also gives kids an opportunity to explore different vegetables, experiment with flavors and discover new recipes.

Garden Harvest Vegetable Soup

#8 Create a Bird Feeder

Building a bird feeder with your kids is a great way to teach them about the birds in their area and help support local wildlife. All you need is an empty milk carton, string, and bird seed.

Hanging up a bird feeder in your garden can also be a fun activity for kids to observe. They can watch the birds come to feed and learn more about the different species in their area. When my kids were little we used to love reading about our backyard birds in the North American Bird Field Guide.

#9 Learn about Worms and Composting

Teach your children about composting by showing them how food scraps can be turned into nutrient-rich soil for plants in the garden!

My grandkids love collecting food scraps and adding them to our compost bin. It’s an easy way to teach them about the importance of sustainability while also helping out in the garden. Plus, they get really excited when they can dig around and find worms that have been added to the mix!

#10 Grow a Sunflower House

Kids will love creating their own secret hideout in the garden. All you need is some sunflowers, twine, and a few simple tools. This can be a fun and creative way for kids to explore nature while also getting them interested in gardening.

Laura was very proud of her sunflower! circa 2011

Growing your own sunflower house is also a great way to teach your kids about the life cycle of sunflowers and how they can be used to make art. Plus, your secret hideout will look absolutely stunning in the summertime!

These activities will not only help your children learn more about plants and nature, but they’ll also have a lot of fun in the process! Gardening is a great way to get kids outside and interacting with the natural world.

What are your kids’ favorite gardening activities? Share in the comments below!