If you have or know children, we offer some activities that will introduce them to your garden while learning science.

  1. Plant Seeds: Start with a small garden plot or raised bed, or, with a few seeds, you can sow and grow in small pots inside, by a sunny window. Let them chose as it promotes ownership of the garden project.  Reading the seed packets will guide them in plant spacing and let them know how long until harvest. Lettuce, peas, sunflowers, nasturtiums, and pumpkins are always favorites. Plan for care and maintenance. Set aside time to watch for germination and growth.
  2. Provide tools: Give children gardening tools, such as hand trowels, watering cans, and gloves, that grown-ups use. Carefully guide them for safe use. Sharp tools should be avoided to prevent injury. 
  3. Build observation skills: Young children have a short attention span, so keep a list of activities that will engage them. They can dig holes or turn over rocks to find soil organisms, search for slugs under debris, pull weeds, water plants, count flying critters, etc.
  4. Harvest and taste vegetables and fruits: Harvest vegetables and fruits together. Picking and carefully washing any harvest, do a blind taste comparison of different tomatoes or berries. Talk about flavor, ways to enjoy them, and health benefits.
  5. Make a scrapbook: Create art that reflects what you have done together. Use photos and drawings to enhance your creation. You are creating memories for a lifetime.
  6. Read books: “Growing Vegetable Soup” by Lois Ehlert or “Tops and Bottoms” by Janet Stevens may be of interest. Your local library will have a large selection for children of all ages.

Many of us were fortunate to have parents or grandparents who nurtured our interest in gardening. Let’s not miss the opportunity to do the same.

Resources from 10-Minute University

Click here for a printable pdf of this article. Written by Cheryl Borden May 2025  photos courtesy 1) Oregon Public Broadcasting, 2) Pixabay, 3) KidsGardening, 4) Pixabay