14 creative gardening activities suitable for children
In an effort to encourage children to spend more time outdoors and foster a connection with nature, a variety of engaging and educational garden activities have been designed. These projects cater to different age groups, from toddlers to primary school-aged children, and offer a fun and rewarding way to learn about plants, wildlife, and the environment.
For toddlers, a Pizza Garden is a delightful option. By planting simple edible plants like tomatoes, basil, oregano, and peppers, children can enjoy eating what they help grow, making this both fun and rewarding. Another educational activity is creating a Bug Hotel, using natural materials such as twigs, pinecones, and bark to build a mini home for insects. This teaches children about nature and biodiversity.
Painting pot planters and growing easy flowers or herbs in them is a great way to foster responsibility and creativity in toddlers. A Sunflower Race, where toddlers observe whose sunflower grows tallest by the end of summer, makes for a playful growth-tracking activity. Creating a Butterfly Feeder, hanging a shallow dish with sugar water and fruit peels outdoors, attracts butterflies, providing sensory learning and enjoyment.
Miniature Fairy Gardens, built using scavenged outdoor natural materials combined with a little imagination, are perfect for fostering creativity. Mud Kitchens and Water Play, with safe water toys, encourage sensory exploration and outdoor fun. Nature Art Projects, such as leaf rubbings, flower pressing, or using sticks and pinecones as paintbrushes, allow children to express their creativity while learning about the natural world.
For primary school-aged children, building an Outdoor Fort, with supervision, helps boost creativity and motor skills. A Twig Teepee, built against a wall, fence, or tree, provides an adult-free space for children. Growing their own plants can encourage children to eat more fresh produce, with projects like a Dinosaur Herb Garden, where scented herbs and edible plants like strawberries are grown, offering a fun twist.
A Grass Bucket Seat, made by filling an old metal bucket or bin with compost, planting lawn seeds, and allowing it to germinate, is an easy project that can be enjoyed by children of all ages. Collecting seeds from plants and crops that are in bloom is another educational activity that teaches children about plant reproduction and the life cycle of plants.
A Terrarium Mini-World, created using a large jar, gravel, compost, succulents, and a layer of gravel to hold in moisture, is a fascinating project that allows children to create their own miniature ecosystem. Tin-can planters, made by punching holes in the base and top of recycled tin cans, painting them, and hanging them to grow plants, are another easy and creative project.
Micro-greens can be grown using seeds of any vegetable with edible leaves, such as basil, broccoli, or spinach, in any container. Succulent plants, arranged in a pot and requiring very little maintenance, are perfect for children who are new to gardening. Container ponds, made using large, shallow containers with no drainage holes, attract birds and insects, providing a wonderful opportunity for children to observe wildlife up close.
These activities are designed to be safe, engaging, and educational for children while fostering a connection with nature and outdoor exploration. Use child-sized tools, choose fast-growing or low-maintenance plants, and provide close adult supervision to ensure safety and success.
[1] [Gardening with Children](https://www.rhs.org.uk/advice/profile?pid=346) [2] [Garden Activities for Kids](https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/special/kids/garden-activities.htm) [3] [DIY Garden Projects for Kids](https://www.hgtv.com/design/outdoors/gardens/diy-garden-projects-for-kids) [4] [Gardening with Children: A Guide for Parents and Teachers](https://www.gardenersworld.com/how-to/family/gardening-with-children-a-guide-for-parents-and-teachers/)
Incorporating gardening into a home-and-garden lifestyle can provide children with a fun and educational lifestyle experience. For instance, creating a Terrarium Mini-World allows primary school-aged children to develop their own miniature ecosystem, while planting a Pizza Garden in pot planters helps toddlers appreciate the joy of growing and eating their own plants.
