Last Updated on April 11, 2024 by Real Men Sow
These easy garden projects for kids are great to be outside and entertained, away from the computer or TV. These activities are appropriate for primary-school-age children, but you can easily adapt them to fit older or younger children. The younger children will require a little extra guidance and help, while those older can take on planning and decision-making responsibilities.
10 Gardening Projects For Children
Pot Up Colorful Containers
These containers are quick and easy to plant, and they fill up quickly. You can let your children choose plants from the garden center’s seasonal displays, and then you can use a brightly colored pot to match. If your children are old enough, they can help you choose a color-coordinated plastic pot or a brightly colored terracotta pot.
Teach children about garden drainage
Make sure there are drainage holes at the base. Next, add multi-purpose compost to fill it up until it reaches two-thirds. Place the plants in their pots, then place them on the compost.
Make an attractive display. Add more compost to the area around the roots and make sure it is well-set. Place the pot in a sunny, sheltered place and water the plants. To encourage more growth, water the plants regularly throughout summer.
Collect Seeds
This time of year, crops and plants are in full bloom. Children can have fun looking for seeds in their garden and then collecting them to sow next year. Demonstrate to them how to open seed pods and remove seeds from the heads. Then, they can have fun creating paper seed packets to store their seeds in.
Create A Glass Jar Terrarium
Glass jar gardens are perfect for small hands. Your children can choose from a variety of succulents at the garden center. Put gravel into the bottom of a large container. Cover it with compost and then place the plants in the containers. Use your fingers or a pencil to firm the plants. To retain the moisture, add a bit of water and a layer with gravel. Place the jar on an indoor windowsill.
Fairy Garden
Children can help create a magical garden by placing stones at the base of trees or in hollows in the ground. Children will enjoy collecting stones and twigs to make fences. You could also add ferns or other small plants around the trunk. You can help your child tie ribbons to the branches or make a fairy-door for a tree or wall using a piece or lid from an ice cream tub.
Make A Grass Bucket Seat
This grass seat is durable and can be used all year. Older children will love trimming it with scissors or shears. Add drainage holes to an old metal bin or bucket. Then fill it with compost and firm it down. Finally, sprinkle lawn seed on top. It should be watered well, and left to germinate for about one week in summer, then make sure it doesn’t dry out. Once it is thick enough, encourage your older children or grandchildren to trim it with shears.
Twig teepee
Encourage your children to create a safe space for themselves using branches that are stacked against a fence, wall, or tree. Assist them in arranging the branches so that they create walls that provide privacy but still allow them to move freely. The den can be designed by older children, and they might also like to build one on their own.
Make A Bug Box
The only requirement for this simple project is an open-fronted bug box. The kids can then run around the garden looking for materials to fill it. To attract ladybirds, woodlice, and maybe even a mouse or toad, you can use a drilled log to provide a home.
Grow Microgreens
Micro-leaves are a big hit with kids because they will love to grow and hopefully eat them. Micro-leaf seeds don’t require special equipment – you can use any vegetable with edible leaves like spinach, basil, or broccoli. You can use any container you like, including plastic cups, yogurt pots, and biodegradable pots. It’s even better if your smiley face is on the containers. To make watering easy, fill your pots to the top with compost. Spread the herb or vegetable seeds on the surface. Cover the pots with compost. To dampen the compost, use water to douse it. Then check it regularly to ensure that it doesn’t dry. Place the pots in a windowsill indoors to start growing. Simply snip the stems at the base to harvest microgreens. You can also wait until the microgreens have two true leaves and then harvest them.
Create A Succulent Plant Display
A succulent that has been planted in a container lasts for many months and requires very little maintenance. Allow them to choose the plants that they would like to grow at the garden center. Place the plants in a container and cover them with cactus soil. To complete the look, top-dress with horticultural rock and to make it more personal, the kids can add their own accessories to complete the look. The display can be left outside during summer, and can then be moved to a bedroom windowsill in autumn. This will keep it interesting for many months.
Pond In A Pot
Container ponds can be made quickly and children will enjoy getting muddy on hot summer days. You can also attract insects and birds to these ponds, so you should allow for some wildlife-watching. You will need a large container that is shallow and has no drainage holes. Add a variety of marginal and pond plants and an oxygenator to keep the water clear. It should be placed in partial shade rather than in full sunlight. Keep the water topped-up.
