Garden Projects for Kids

Gardening can be fun for the whole family, and there are plenty of projects you can do with your kids that will instill a love for gardening.

Let your kids help when you plant seeds. Children love watching the little plants grow into beautiful flowers and tasty vegetables.

Butterfly gardens are always a big hit with kids. As you choose plants together, you can teach them about larval and nectar plants, and talk about the benefits of insects. Later you’ll watch butterflies flock to the flowers.

Build a birdfeeder or create a toadhouse. Kids like feeling handy and will get a kick out of watching for creatures that take advantage of their handiwork.

You can also build a bean tepee together for them to use as a fort.

UF/IFAS Sites

• The ABC's of Vegetable Gardening
• Florida School Gardens
• The Neighborhood Gardener: Keeping Kids Busy Over Summer Break

UF/IFAS Publications

• Topic: Plants and Children

Also on Gardening in a Minute

• Alphabet Gardens
• Birdhouses
• Butterfly Gardening
• Hummingbird Gardens
• Kids' Gardening Curricula
• Other Uses for Seeds
• Pizza Gardens
• Salsa Gardens
• Stepping Stones
• Terrariums
• Toad Houses

Other Sites

• Gardening for Kids --PBS Victory Gardens
• Gardening Ideas for Children with Special Needs--Oregon State University Cooperative Extension (PDF)
• Gardening with Children--Colorado State University Extension
• Gardening with Children--University of New Hampshire Cooperative Extension
• Get Outdoors--National Wildlife Association
• Helping Young Children Practice Science Skills by Planting a Garden--eXtension.org
• KidsGardening--National Gardening Association