Start spring and summer with gardening activities for kids of all ages to invite them into the creative and exploratory days of the year.
With warm days ahead, our desire to move our kids outside increases with each sunny day and cool breeze. In a lot of ways, this preemptively acclimates them day by day to the ever increasing heat, especially the kind that we experience in the south. There is, however, resistance. But, creative ideas done together with enthusiasm invites kids into the desire to be outside and explore.
For younger children, these activities are a welcoming introduction to fine motor skills. Unintentionally, they will thread and use precision and think systematically. Their older siblings can easily transition these activities into imaginative play: house, little house on the prairie, wood explorers. Older kids can be directed to transition the creative activity into learning or a stem challenge. We love that the garden is one-size-fits-all!
I lean into these activities heavily all year round: because they need it, and I need it. I see it in my own kids – the need for movement, for curiosity, for activities that jumpstart their personal creativity. I reflect on the positive outcomes from sweating, rain, quiet busy hands, observation. Justin Rhodes, homesteader and father of five, has modeled the importance of being together outside as he raises his children. The necessity of small children watching adults maneuver, and accomplish. The necessity of adults watching small children attempt, question and reattempt. The availability of conversation, and the contentment of togetherness – both stabilize the relationship between parent and child. Their childhood is really something for both parties to enjoy.
1. Plant Large, Fast Growing Seeds
Supplies needed: seeds, shovel or trowel, dirt (in ground planting or pots)
There are many large seeds, easy for little fingers to handle, that also grow eagerly in the garden! These are ideal for ease of planting, and also faster or more exciting results.
- Spring: peas, sunflowers, cucumbers, radish
- Summer: green beans, watermelons, pumpkins, garbanzo beans
- Fall: garlic, lettuce, carrots
2. Paint stones & share with your community: “Sneezy the Snake”
Supplies needed: clean, round stones., acrylic paint, paint brushes or paint pens, scrap wood sign.
What started as an afternoon activity in the backyard became a neighborhood community project thanks to one hand painted sign: “Help Sneezy the Snake grow!” We decorated rocks in the yard with pictures and designs, and made one rock the head of the snake. We placed them at the community playground and waited. After a few days, we went back to play and Sneezy had grown! Now, we check on Sneezy and add to him ourselves on a regular basis, a back-pocket activity for the summer.
3. Create a gardening plant growth journal
Supplies needed: small journal, colors (watercolors, crayons, colored pencils)
Track the growth of different plants! Have them draw pictures, take notes on the plant’s progress, or take photos to include. This is a great way to notice the swift growth of plants, or to see how perennial plants change within a season. We love to track the garden plants they have started from seed, even if it is just for a pot on the porch.
4. Trim back or harvest herbs
Supplies needed: woody herbs (oregano, chives, rosemary, thyme), or fast producing herbs (like parsley or cilantro), rubber bands, twist ties or twine, scissors.
Take time to work together to manage and enjoy fresh and dried herbs! Regular trimming of herbs creates new growth, which means more herbs. With this goal in mind, I make it a goal to try and make as much “italian seasoning” or “herbs de provence” as I can in a year. My kids enjoy the opportunity to practice their scissor skills, or simple knot tying as we bundle and hang each herb. The aromatics are wonderful, and the result tasty and useful!
5. Make a worm composting bin
Supplies needed: worms, soil, a clear container (we used a used, clear water gallon), food scraps and paper scraps.
Multiply your garden health by multiplying your worms! This activity led to multiple day interaction with the garden as we spent time searching for worms, as well as feeding them and looking to spy their tunnels. We followed THIS tutorial for do’s and don’ts when it came to “worm care”. More worms means a happier garden!
6. Build a trellis
Supplies needed: bamboo or fence posts or large sticks, twine, scissors, vining plant
While this activity may seem intimidating, it was a simple building activity for my construction loving boy. I can sometimes struggle getting him involved with planting, but building is a go. We took three sticks and connected them at the top, in a teepee style. We wove the strings around and through the sticks to create a spiderweb effect and trained our spring peas up the strings as they grew.
7. Grow window radishes or green beans
Supplies needed: ziploc, soil, tape, seeds
Some seeds grow quite quickly, and seeing them grow day to day is a real treat. If you place soil in a ziploc and tape it to the window, you can plant your seeds and watch them grow! They take the heat and sunlight from the windows and grow quickly. Make sure not to over water and make things soggy. This is mama’s cleanest version of gardening!
8. Cook & play with dandelions
Supplies needed: dandelion flowers harvested from a clean area (no pets, no sprays)
Dandelions tend to be abundant in wild and domestic places in the spring. There are lots of fun activities on Pinterest, like a “dande-lion”, and flower bracelets. I’ve seen dandelion garlands and pressed dandelions. Every part of the dandelion is edible as well! There are recipes for the flowers, the leaves, the roots – all with their own flavors and medicinal properties. Below are a few recipe ideas, but make sure to research and taste test yourself!
9. Increase gardening pollinators
– Planting flowers
Supplies needed: seeds and soil
This comes as a no brainer, but pollinators love flowers! Our most visited plants are Greg’s Blue Mist, Echinacea, Forget-Me-Knots and Zinnias.
– Bug house
Supplies needed: scrap wood, pinecones, hay, hollow log, old cardboard
If your little Curious George is a friend to all bugs, a bug house or bug hotel would be a fun way to explore the tiny world. Low to the ground and near plants, a bug house attracts all sorts of burrowing and haven seeking bugs. Create a four sided structure as your base, and add all sorts of natural elements until it is full and snug and ready for visitors. The creating of this house will be a fun activity, as well as the scavenging for supplies, and the checking in on tenants!
– Bird feeders
Supplies: toilet paper rolls, pinecones, apple rings, ice-cream cones as base options, as well as peanut butter and bird feed.
Peanut butter bird feeders can be made on and with many many options. Begin by spreading peanut butter on the surface of whichever base you picked (we recommend selecting one that can easily be hung up!). Coat generously with bird seed and hang in an accessible area. Make sure to check out some books on birds as you watch your visitors come.
10. Grow grass heads or caterpillars
Supplies: soil, grass seed, panty hose or a clear plastic cup, marker’s for creating a face.
This activity is so fun! Fun to put together, fun to watch grow and fun to give a haircut! As a mom, I can appreciate an activity that keeps giving… Start by filling small amounts of panty hose with soil and grass seed. Tie up, and water and place on a plate or tray near a window. With regular watering, the grass will push through the panty hose and make hair! You can also recreate this project at Easter to create a resurrection garden in a pot, or as a spring decoration as Mr. McGregor’s garden.
Bonus Garden Activities:
There are so many activities we have tried so far this spring and have placed on our bucket list that it was hard to narrow them down to 10. If you’re searching for more activities, check out our “10 Outdoor Activities” post as well as “10 Rainy Day Activities” post. Here are three bonus ideas we couldn’t pass up:
- Make stone plant markers
- Build a butterfly house
- Share wildflower seed bombs
Read More:
“10 Outdoor Activities”
“10 Rainy Day Activities”
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