You need to do one of these gardening projects with your children. Cultivating Green Thumbs alongside your children is so important – no matter how small or what you are growing – because it brings you closer to God as you experience His created world.
Grab the Plant Observation Printable to help your child record the gardening process as you are Cultivating Green Thumbs. It is a FREE download PDF!
Cultivating Green Thumbs: Gardening Projects and Nature-Based Learning for Homeschoolers
Gardening offers a unique opportunity to create an outdoor classroom. It’s a chance to explore biology, ecology, and environmental science up close, learning about soil composition, the role of insects in pollination, and the delicate balance of ecosystems. Children can develop critical thinking skills through observing plant growth, analyzing weather impacts, and troubleshooting garden problems.
Additionally, the shared experiences gained from gardening foster a strong family bond. It is worth it, even if you do not have a “green thumb” and, I promise that if you do not give up, eventually you will grow something!
These gardening projects to do with your kids range from simple to more involved. Choose one to try this year! (we have not done all of these yet)
7 Gardening Projects to Do with Your Kids
1. Plant a Pizza Garden:
Choose an area and divide it into sections for different pizza toppings like tomatoes, basil, peppers, and oregano. Let your children get their hands dirty while planting the seeds or seedlings. As the plants grow, they’ll have a front-row seat to the ingredients that make a delicious pizza. Make sure you celebrate the harvest with a pizza party!
2. Create a Butterfly Haven:
Invite beautiful butterflies into your garden by creating a butterfly haven. Select plants that attract butterflies, such as milkweed, lavender, and coneflowers. Research which butterfly species are native to your region and try to provide specific plants they prefer. Encourage your children to observe the lifecycle of butterflies by looking for eggs, caterpillars, and chrysalises. Keep a close eye on your garden as it becomes a thriving ecosystem.
3. Build a Container Garden:
Don’t have a large outdoor space? No worries! You can still enjoy gardening by creating a container garden. Gather pots or containers of various sizes and let your children choose their favorite plants to grow. Herbs like basil, mint, and parsley are great options for container gardens. Container gardening is a fantastic way to introduce gardening to children in small spaces.
4. Start a Worm Composting Bin:
Have you heard of vermicomposting? Find a suitable container with a lid and drill small holes for aeration. Fill it with bedding material such as shredded newspaper and introduce red worms into the bin. Explain how the worms break down kitchen scraps and turn them into nutrient-rich compost. Allow the kids to feed the worms fruit and vegetable scraps regularly. Keep in mind this may be a long process, so it is best to set expectations from the beginning.
5. Make Seed Bombs:
Get your hands messy and have some fun by making seed bombs with your children. Mix clay, compost, and wildflower seeds to form small balls. Let them dry in a sunny spot and then head outside to find areas to toss them in your yard. Over time, wildflowers will bloom, attracting bees and butterflies to your yard. This activity not only promotes gardening but also helps in beautifying the environment and supporting pollinators.
6. Sensory Garden:
Engage your child’s senses by creating a sensory garden. Choose plants with different textures, scents, colors, and tastes. Include flowers like lavender or roses for fragrance, herbs for scent and taste, and plants with interesting foliage for touch. Encourage your child to explore the garden using their senses, describing what they observe. This project promotes sensory development, mindfulness, and appreciation for nature’s diversity.
7. Vertical Garden:
Construct a vertical garden with your child using recycled materials. Attach containers such as plastic bottles or tin cans to a wooden pallet or a wall using screws or sturdy hooks. Help your child plant flowers, herbs, or small vegetables in each container. This project maximizes space, encourages recycling, and provides an opportunity to learn about vertical gardening and plant care.
The benefits are incredible and the experience will provide lasting memories. Cultivating Green Thumbs should be a regular part of your homeschool day to reap the full benefits!
If you want to use a homeschool curriculum to teach homesteading skills then you will want to check out Homestead Science! It is NOT Christian (they claim to be neutral, but the curriculum is “old-earth”). However, it teaches a lot of basic and practical homesteading skills. My son started this when he was 13; it has been a good fit for him. It is a unit study on homesteading that incorporates many subjects but is heavy on science. They have textbooks for children in preschool through middle school! I recommend it to anyone wanting to learn all about homesteading. It would make a great family study! LEARN MORE HERE
Shop For Garden Supplies
The HC Companies 8 Inch Caribbean Round Planter – Honey
100Pcs Plastic Plant Labels
Organic Potting Soil Mix – All Natural
9 Piece Stainless Steel Heavy Duty Green Gardening Tools
Vegetables Tomato Metal Vintage Retro Tin Sign 12x8inch
Homarden 81 oz. Copper Watering Can
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Thank you so much! I have always wished that I would have learned to grow things better (I always seem to manage to kill them!). It has been a long journey for me to learn this on my own and I am excited that there are resources to teach my children!!