Many children delight in watching something grow under their care. Planting seeds with your kids will teach them about the life cycle of a plant and allow them to care for another living thing. Working with your kids to grow something can be done by planting one small seed in a cup or by planting an entire garden in your backyard, say Carole H. Dibble and Kathy Lee, authors of "One Hundred One Easy, Wacky, Crazy Activities for Young Children." Take your kids to a garden center or home improvement store and browse the packets of seeds. Encourage your children to select a few favorites and then work together to make your selections. Try allowing each child to choose one type of seed so everyone feels included.
Step 1
Choose a windowsill inside or a patch of garden outside to garden with your children, recommends Jacqueline B. Clemens, author of "Creative Kids: Simple Gardening Fun." Consider the type of seeds your children chose. If the plants will need a sunny spot, plant them outdoors. Make sure you choose a space that has plenty of room for the plants to grow.
Step 2
Fill a pot with potting soil if you plan to garden indoors. Rake the soil and remove any rocks or trash from an outdoor gardening spot. Pull any weeds and add fertilizer, recommends Clemens.
Step 3
Show your children how to place a seed on the top of the soil in a pot and to gently push it under the surface of the soil. Teach your kids how to dig shallow trenches and put seeds in neat rows in an outdoor garden plot. Show them how to cover the seeds with a small amount of potting soil or garden soil.
Step 4
Water outdoor seeds with a hose or indoor seeds with a watering can. Let your children each take a turn watering their seeds.
Tips and Warnings
- You can choose flower seeds or vegetable seeds to plant with your kids. Allow your children to give away produce or bouquets of flowers to family, friends and teachers.
- Inspect the garden area for any potential hazards, such as animal droppings or broken glass. Supervise your children when they are gardening to help prevent accidents.
Things You'll Need
- Pots and potting soil
- Rake
- Fertilizer
- Watering can or garden hose
- Trowel
References
- "One Hundred One Easy, Wacky, Crazy Activities for Young Children"; Carole H. Dibble and Kathy Lee; 2000
- "Creative Kids: Simple Gardening Fun"; Jacqueline B. Clemens; 2005
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