Get children excited about gardening from an early age, and they’ll be hooked on plants for life! Follow this 10 step guide to inspire the next generation of gardeners and encourage them to explore the wonders of nature.
In a world dominated by screens and social media, introducing kids to gardening is a fantastic way to connect them with the outdoors. Experiencing the changing seasons, getting their hands dirty, and watching plants grow are all essential for their development.
Plus, gardening is the perfect antidote to school holiday boredom, keeping kids (and adults!) busy and engaged. By nurturing a love for plants, children can discover a lifelong hobby that’s great for both mental and physical well-being.
If you're looking for free kids activities, gardening is a fantastic, low-cost way to keep them entertained.
10 Great Gardening Activities for Kids
1. Pick easy-to-grow plants
Spring is the ideal time to spark children’s interest in gardening and gardening is one of the best kids activities to encourage curiosity and creativity. Take them to a garden centre and let them choose easy-to-grow seeds. The Unwins Little Growers range offers a fantastic selection of flowers, vegetables, and herbs that provide months of enjoyment. They can then plant up their seeds and plant their seedlings out once they have grown with our kids' hand fork and trowel.
2. Give them their own garden space
Encourage a sense of ownership by providing a small garden patch or container just for them. Equipped with our perfectly sized Kids’ gardening tools and gloves, they’ll be eager to dig, plant, and care for their very own plants. A perfect half term kids activity that helps develop responsibility and patience.
3. Create a burst of colour
Once the risk of frost has passed, let children pick vibrant bedding plants like snapdragons, pansies, poached egg flowers, and nasturtiums. Plant them in pots or borders with their digging spade or trowel using peat free compost and watch them bloom all summer long. This is a great activity for kids that allows them to see the results of their efforts.
4. Grow food from seed
Growing food is an exciting way to introduce kids to gardening. The Unwins Little Growers range includes tomatoes, pumpkins, cress, lettuce, carrots, and peas - perfect for little hands to sow and harvest. A wonderful half term kids activity that teaches them where food comes from.
5. Watch seedlings come to life
Sow seeds in Gro-Sure Visiroot Trays filled with Westland Seed & Cutting Compost and place them on a windowsill. Kids will love watching seedlings sprout and roots develop before transplanting them with their trusty trowel into the garden. This is one of the best free kids activities that can be done indoors or outdoors.
6. Have a sunflower-growing contest
Make it a family competition to grow the tallest sunflower! Sunflower ‘Sunshine Giant’ can reach up to 2m high and attracts birds to feed on its seeds. Measure and track growth for added fun! Gardening competitions make for exciting kids activities that the whole family can enjoy.
7. Make watering fun
On hot days, let kids enjoy running through a sprinkler for a few minutes while helping to hydrate the lawn. A perfect way to combine playtime with plant care and an easy activity for kids during warm weather.
8. Set up a garden care routine
Encourage kids to water plants regularly and teach them to deadhead spent flowers to keep the garden blooming. They can also weed and cultivate the soil with their digging fork or soil rake. A great way to build responsibility and appreciation for nature while keeping them busy with free kids activities.
9. Plant bulbs for spring surprises
Let children plant daffodils, tulips, hyacinths, and snowdrops in autumn. They’ll eagerly watch for their flowers to emerge after winter, making gardening a year-round adventure and a perfect half term kids activity to look forward to.
10. Get involved in the autumn garden tidy-up
Teach kids about the changing seasons by raking leaves, composting, and preparing the garden for winter. It’s a great way to keep them active and outdoors in cooler months. Simple activities for kids like these help them develop an understanding of nature while getting fresh air and exercise.
Encouraging kids to garden helps them build confidence, patience, and a love for the natural world. Start their journey today with fun, hands-on kids activities that will grow their passion for gardening for years to come!
