10 easy plant activities for kids
Dreaming of a life where your kids help you garden and your home is filled with plants…but have no idea where to start? I’ll tell you a secret, you start small!
You can get the same learning experiences that a garden provides but without jumping into huge projects and the space, effort, cost, and time commitment of a garden. Start small with some simple activities you both can ease into, and who knows what big plant projects might be in your future!
You can do one or several of these activities at a time, but I would suggest one for starters, especially if you have children age 3 or younger. My son, age 4, loves to help me with plants but gets bored quickly. The more focused the activity, the more he appreciates it. If you want them to take some ownership, give them one task at a time.
For most of of the activities below, I think it’s fun to present materials together on a tray like many Montessori activities. In addition to making the work more attractive, it allows your child to organize and carry all the items themselves.
In general, do something that will be fun for you both, and you’ll plant the seeds of more green activities in the future! <3
1. Take a nature walk
A simple and short nature walk can be the easiest activity for an active little one. You don’t need to go to a park or nature preserve to appreciate the life growing and changing around you. Even the most seemingly mundane gardens have things to observe.
See if they can tell you which parts of a bush look alive or dead. Or do they notice any seeds or pinecones on the ground? Where did they come from? Can they see any anything poking through the snow? The posibilites for observation are endless.
If you have more resources in your exploration, gather objects on a small walk, such as rocks, seeds, dead bugs, sticks, trash, anything goes! Use your pockets or a small bag to gather and then take them home to sort and discuss.
What’s you’ll need:
2. Pick out a plant
Before you head to the plant place together, get a rough idea of the size and location (such as their sunny bedroom window) for the future plant. If you have parameters ahead of time, it will be less overwhelming for them and you! Then head to that section in the store and let them pick any (reasonable) thing they desire. Ask them why they like it and where they think you should put it at home. 😉
3. Water a plant
My son has always loved watering plants–it’s so satisfying for him! He started helping me at age two and still loves it. The best approach is to give them the appropriate amount of water for the plant and let them do it themselves to give them a sense of ownership of this task. I do it weekly with my son.
They can use a watering can, pitcher, or a misting bottle depending on the plant. I prefer glass, clay, or metal materials as I think it gives the child a sense of the task’s importance.
What you’ll need:
- A small, child-sized watering can
- OR easy-to-operate mister bottle
- OR water pitcher
4. Plant some seeds
This can be as simple or as detailed as you’d like to make it! If you want to prepare seeds before the end of the winter for spring planting, start several in cardboard egg cartons or recycled nursery trays. Or if you want to watch a root system grow, use some mason jars that you already have, can find cheaply at a thrift store, or invest in a cute set that yo’ll use again and again over the years.
What you’ll need:
- Seeds (beans, veggies for the garden, sprouts, herbs, flowers, etc.)
- Seed trays or glass jars
- Organic potting soil
- Gloves (for those with sensory aversion to getting dirty. The “child” size will fit ages 3-6)
- Watering can or Water pitcher
5. Pot a plant
This is an excellent activity to teach the fragility of plants, a sensory activity to work with the soil, and fine motor skills activity to scoop and place soil. If this is a new activity to you as well, remember to gently squeeze the rootball of the transplant to shake off excess dirt and free the roots before putting it into its new pot.
What’s you’ll need:
- Plant
- Organic potting soil
- Pot
- Water pitcher
- Mini gardening tools (optional depending on the plant)
6. Discuss how plants grow
During these activities, explain to your child the things we take for granted. “Do you notice how the roots grow so long? They help the plant absorb food and water from the soil.” Or explain that a seed is what fully-grown plants create to make baby plants. Books such as Let’s Grow Vegetables are fun for ages 1-5 while Secrets of the Vegetable Garden has even more details for my preschooler.
7. Arrange flowers
Whether it’s cut from your garden or bought from a store, allow them to create an arrangement on their own! You can also pick wildflowers, but we’ve had awful luck with bugs and getting them to last even a car ride home.
To keep the focus on the arranging, trim the flowers ahead of time, lay them out with the vase and water, and then guide them how to begin. This is such a soothing, creative activity and I’m amazed how carefully my son will work at this!
What you’ll need:
- Flowers
- Small vases
- Water pitcher
8. Prune a plant
An important but often overlooked part of plant maintenance is removing overgrown and dead stems, stalks, leaves, and flowers. In fact, trimming dead flowers from many plants encourages them to produce more. You can make it into a bit of a treasure hunt to find how many dead things you can remove!
What’s you’ll need:
- Scissors
- Small tray or basket for the clippings
9. Dust a plant
Dust can accumulate on houseplants and this can block sunlight and prevent photosynthesis. Regular dusting keeps plants happy and healthy and can be a fun activity for your little one!
Some plants might just need a gentle sweeping of a duster while others might be trickier and need a bit more elbow grease with some water. (Don’t get the fuzzy leaves wet–those prefer a delicate brush). For stubborn dust, a classic Montessori activity of plant washing using cotton balls or small cloths and water works perfectly. Simply show your child the dusty parts, demonstrate how to remote the dust, and watch them get to work!
What you’ll need:
- Cotton balls or small scrap cloths
- Small bowls
- Water pitcher with lukewarm water
- Duster with removable head
10. Harvest
When it comes to herbs, flowers, and vegetables, this is the best part! Getting to harvest the precious plant that’s been growing is a special treat. So let your child make the cut (with supervision and kiddo scissors)!
In a world with many of us disconnected from our earth and how our food is grown, we can be part of a responsible harvest, respecting the work and purpose of the plant and taking what it gives us with thoughtfulness.
What you’ll need:
What are your favorite plant activities with kids? I’d love to add more to this list!
