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Kids learn so much in the garden: science, patience, responsibility and how good a sun-warm tomato tastes. Garden projects are also a wonderful way to get school-aged kids off screens and outside, and many of them work just as well on a patio as in a backyard.
Here are fun, hands-on garden projects for kids ages 5 to 12.
1. Grow a pizza garden
Plant tomatoes, peppers, basil and oregano in a round bed divided into “slices.” When it’s harvest time, make homemade pizza with your toppings!
2. Build a sunflower house
Plant tall sunflowers in a big square or circle, leaving a gap for a door. Plant morning glories or pole beans between them to climb up and form “walls.” By midsummer you’ll have a secret hideout.
3. Start seeds in eggshells or egg cartons
Fill clean eggshell halves or cardboard egg cartons with soil and plant seeds like beans, zinnias or marigolds. Kids can watch them sprout on a sunny windowsill, then plant the whole thing in the ground.
4. Plant a bean in a jar
Line a clear jar with a damp paper towel and tuck a dry bean between the towel and the glass. In a few days, kids can watch the roots and shoot grow. It’s science you can see!
5. Make a mini garden or fairy garden
A shallow pot, some succulents or moss, pebbles and a few tiny figures make an adorable miniature garden. It’s perfect for kids without much outdoor space.
6. Start a compost bin
Composting teaches kids how food scraps turn back into soil. Here’s my beginner’s guide to composting with kids.
7. Plant a butterfly or pollinator garden
Choose flowers like zinnias, coneflowers and milkweed, then keep a journal of the visitors. See my tips on gardening for wildlife.
8. Grow a giant pumpkin (or the biggest zucchini)
Have a friendly family contest. Measure and record your plant’s growth every week.
9. Regrow kitchen scraps
Set the root end of green onions or celery in a little water on the windowsill and watch them grow back. It’s quick, easy and fun for younger kids, too.
10. Keep a garden journal
Kids can draw their plants, record the date they planted, measure growth, note the weather and keep track of harvests. It’s a sneaky way to practice writing and math!
Tips for gardening with kids
- Give them their own space, even a single pot or a small corner of the bed.
- Choose fast growers like radishes, beans, sunflowers and lettuce so they see results quickly.
- Get kid-sized tools they can actually handle.
- Let it be messy. Dirty hands are part of the fun.
- Celebrate the harvest by cooking together. Try these simple recipes for little helpers.
Make it a family project. The Garden Planner includes a kids’ garden journal (with a page to draw their plant!), a planting calendar and a harvest log. It’s undated, so you can use it every year. Get the Garden Planner ($7) →
Garden projects FAQ
What are the easiest plants for kids to grow?
Sunflowers, beans, radishes, lettuce, zinnias and cherry tomatoes are all easy, fast and rewarding.
Can we do these projects without a yard?
Yes! Bean jars, eggshell seed starters, fairy gardens, scrap regrowing and container pizza gardens all work indoors or on a patio.
Want more family fun? My Free Printables Library is free when you join my email list.
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