Gardening with your preschooler is a fun and educational activity. Not only will they enjoy learning about the plants as they grow, but they will also be developing important skills like counting, sorting, and fine motor development. Here are some easy seeds to grow for preschoolers.
Easy Seeds To Grow for Preschoolers
Sunflowers
Sunflowers (Buy Online) are a great seed to grow with preschoolers because they are very easy to germinate and grow, and they typically sprout within 3-5 days and grow rapidly.
Sunflowers are also a great way to teach kids about the seasons. They typically bloom in the summertime, so starting them in the spring and watching them grow will help kids learn about the progression of the seasons. Plus, sunflower seeds are edible, so kids can eat the seeds that they collect from the flowers.
Gem Corn
Gem Corn (Buy Online) is a fun and easy seed to grow with preschoolers. The kernels are a beautiful mix of colors, including white, pink, red, purple, and yellow.
Gem Corn is a heritage corn variety, and preschoolers will enjoy watching the corn sprout and grow into tall stalks that produce corn cobs with brightly colored kernels.
Gem Corn is best planted in late spring or early summer when the soil temperature reaches at least 60 degrees F (15 degrees C).
Beans
Beans (Buy Online) are a great choice for preschoolers because they are easy to grow and germinate, and they produce a harvest that is both fun and nutritious.
Beans come in many different colors, shapes, and sizes, so kids will enjoy picking them fresh from the garden. They are also a good source of protein and fiber, making them a healthy choice. And best of all, beans are easy to store, so you can keep plenty on hand for quick meals.
Here’s how to plant beans:
- Plant the beans 3-4 inches apart and cover them with 1 inch of soil.
- Water the beans daily and keep them in a sunny spot.
- In about two weeks, you will start to see the beans sprout up out of the soil.
Melons
Melons (Buy Online) are easy seeds to grow for preschoolers. Watermelon, cantaloupe, and honeydew are all relatively easy to grow. They also are sweet and delicious, so kids will enjoy harvesting them. Be sure to plant the seeds in a sunny spot in your garden and water them regularly. Within a few weeks, you’ll have melon sprouts popping up all over.
Cowpeas
Cowpeas (Buy Online) are an excellent choice for easy seeds to grow for preschoolers. They are a snap to grow, and kids will love watching them sprout and grow into full-fledged plants. Plus, cowpeas are extremely versatile and can be used in a variety of dishes.
This fast-growing annual legume is perfect for growing in warmer climates and attracts many beneficial insects to the garden.
Cowpeas are relatively drought tolerant and don’t require much upkeep, making them an ideal plant for beginning gardeners. Plus, they’re a nitrogen-fixing crop, which means they help improve the soil quality in your garden as they grow!
Radish
Radishes (Buy Online) are one of the easiest seeds to grow for preschoolers. They come in a wide range of colors and can be harvested in as little as 30 days.
Radishes are a great way to introduce children to gardening. They are easy to grow and can be harvested fairly quickly, so children will be able to see the results of their labor before they start to lose interest.
Best of all, radishes also taste great raw, so children will be able to enjoy eating them fresh from the garden.
Pumpkin
Pumpkins (Buy Online) are one of the easiest seeds to grow for preschoolers. These long-sprawling vines produce large, bright orange fruits that are perfect for carving jack-o’-lanterns or baking pies. Plus, what could be more fun than harvesting your own pumpkin for Halloween?
Simply planting the seeds in rich well-drained soil and providing plenty of water and sunlight will give your child a bountiful pumpkin crop come autumn. So get those little green thumbs ready and let them experience the joys of gardening!
Zucchini
Zucchini (Buy Online) is a great vegetable for kids to grow because it’s fast-growing and prolific. It also has a mild flavor that most kids enjoy, and it’s versatile enough to be used in many different recipes.
Zucchini seeds are easy to germinate, and the plants grow quickly so you’ll have plenty of harvestable vegetables in no time. Be sure to plant your zucchini seeds in a sunny spot with well-drained soil, and water them regularly. You’ll be surprised at how much zucchini your little ones can produce!
Cabbage
Cabbage (Buy Online) is a great vegetable to grow with preschoolers because it is easy to germinate and grows quickly. Additionally, cabbage is relatively hardy and can tolerate cooler temperatures, making it a good choice for gardeners in colder climates.
Turnip
Turnips (Buy Online) are one of the easiest seeds to grow for preschoolers. They don’t require a lot of space, and they’re very hardy plants that can withstand cooler weather conditions.
To plant turnips, you’ll need a sunny spot in your garden and soil that’s rich in organic matter. Amend the soil with compost or manure before planting. Sow the seeds about 1 inch deep and space them 2-3 inches apart. Keep the soil moist but not wet, and be sure to harvest the turnips when they’re small so they have a sweeter flavor.
Cucumber
Cucumbers (Buy Online) are a great vegetable to grow for preschoolers. Cucumbers have long vines that can be grown vertically on a trellis, making them easy to manage. Plus, cucumbers are a tasty and healthy veggie that kids will love. Start by planting cucumber seeds in the ground. Then, water regularly and provide plenty of sunlight. Once the cucumbers start to grow, your child can observe and care for them, and soon enough, your whole family will have delicious cucumbers to enjoy.
Squash
Summer and Winter Squash Varieties (Buy Online) can be used to make pies and store well, making them a great option for getting your little ones interested in gardening and cooking. To get started, purchase some winter squash seeds from a local garden center or online retailer. Then, plant the seeds in moist soil in a sunny spot in your yard. Water the plants regularly and wait for the squash to mature. When they are ready to harvest, carefully cut them from the vine and enjoy!
Pea
Preschoolers will love planting Peas (Buy Online)! These seeds germinate quickly, and the plants grow fast, so you’ll be able to enjoy an early spring harvest. Peas are also relatively easy to grow, making them a great choice for novice gardeners.
Beets
Beets (Buy Online) are an excellent seed for preschoolers to grow. They come in a wide range of colors, making them a fun option for kids to grow. Plus, they can be used to make dyes and pigments, which makes them a great choice for art projects. And last but not least, they’re a nutritious vegetable that’s perfect for incorporating into meals. So why not give beets a try? Your preschooler is sure to love them 😉
Flower Seeds
Flower Seeds (Buy Online) are a great way to get started in gardening. They’re generally easy to grow, and most kids will enjoy watching them sprout and grow into plants. Some good flower seeds to start with include marigold, zinnia, sunflower, cape daisy, and cosmos.
Nasturtium
Nasturtiums (Buy Online) are one of the easiest seeds to grow for preschoolers. They are also one of the most rewarding, as they are edible and make a beautiful addition to any garden. Nasturtiums prefer full sun and well-drained soil and can be started from seed or transplanted. To start from seed, simply sow the seeds in soil about 1/4 inch deep and water well. Thin to about 6 inches apart when the plants have 4-6 leaves.
Seed Germination Activity for Preschoolers
Little Planters Paint & Grow Fairy Garden with Real Flowers and Magical Fairies
The Little Planters Paint & Grow Fairy Garden (Buy Online) is the perfect seed germination activity for preschoolers. It comes with 2 fairy figurines, a tin flower planter with a chalkboard finish, chalk sticks, an acrylic paint set, paintbrushes, a soil disk, morning glory, marigold, and alyssum flower seeds, and a set of tools including 2 shovels and 1 rake.
It even comes with an easy-to-follow instruction booklet that makes it simple for even the youngest gardener to successfully grow their own flowers. This is a great activity to do together with your child as it’s both fun and educational. Plus, it’s a great way to introduce your child to the joys of gardening.
HSP Nature Toys Root-Vue Farm Multicolor, 16 Inch
Nature Toys’ Root-Vue Farm (Buy Online) is a great way for preschoolers to learn about the process of seed germination and plant growth. The kit includes a planting box with an acrylic window, grow mix, plant identification labels, root markers, a growing chart, and three packets of seeds.
This seed germination activity is best suited for children aged 5+, and it’s a great way for them to observe plants and roots as they grow, which is a great way to get your kids interested in gardening and plant science.
BUZZY Terracotta Mini Grow Pots | Assorted 6-Pack | Daydream Collection | Sunflower, Daisy, Poppy, Cactus, Forget-Me-Not
BUZZY Terracotta Mini Grow Pots (Buy Online) are perfect for preschoolers who want to learn about seed germination. The set includes six mini terracotta pots, and six seed packs (2 Sunflower, 1 Daisy, 1 Poppy, 1 Cactus, and 1 Forget-Me-Not).
BUZZY Terracotta Mini Grow Pots are a great way to introduce young children to the basics of gardening and plant life cycles. By following the simple instructions, preschoolers can watch their seeds sprout and grow into beautiful plants.
Creativity for Kids Mini Garden: Dinosaur Terrarium – Arts and Crafts for Boys and Girls Ages 6-8+
The Creativity for Kids’ Mini Garden: Dinosaur Terrarium (Buy Online) comes with everything your child needs to design, plant, and grow their very own mini garden. The first step is to decorate the egg-shaped terrarium with the included stickers. Once the egg is decorated, your child can add the chia seeds. Just add water and wait for the seeds to sprout in 3-5 days. Then, it’s time to watch the miniature plants grow.
Overall, the Creativity for Kids Mini Garden: Dinosaur Terrarium is a great way to teach your child about the process of seed germination and plant growth. Plus, it is a fun little toy all on its own.
