10 Easy DIY Projects To Get Kids Excited About Gardening

Gardening is a great way to spend some quality time with your kids and teach them about nature, science, and creativity.

Gardening can also help your kids develop skills like patience, responsibility, and problem-solving. But how do you get your kids interested in gardening in the first place?

One way is to make it fun and engaging by involving them in some easy DIY projects that they can do at home with simple materials.

Here are 10 ideas for DIY projects that will get your kids excited about gardening and make them want to learn more!

10 Easy DIY Gardening Projects To Do With Kids

Gardening is a great way to teach kids about nature, science, and responsibility. It can also be a lot of fun and a creative outlet for them.

Here are five easy DIY projects that you can do with your kids to get them excited about gardening:

1. Seed Bombs

Seed bombs are balls of clay, soil, and seeds that you can throw anywhere you want to grow some flowers or herbs.

They are easy to make and fun to use. All you need is some air-dry clay, potting soil, water, and seeds of your choice. Mix the clay and soil together in a bowl and add some water until you have a dough-like consistency.

Then form small balls with your hands and press some seeds into them. Let them dry for a day or two and then they are ready to use. You can toss them in your backyard, in a park, or even in a vacant lot and watch them grow over time

2. Egg Carton Greenhouse

An egg carton greenhouse is a mini greenhouse that you can make with an empty egg carton, some plastic wrap, and some seeds. It’s a great way to start seeds indoors before transplanting them outside.

Cut off the lid of the egg carton and poke some holes in the bottom of each cup. Fill each cup with some potting soil and plant one or two seeds in each one.

Cover the egg carton with plastic wrap and place it in a sunny spot. The plastic wrap will create a warm and humid environment for the seeds to germinate. Water them regularly and watch them sprout.

3. Tin Can Planters

Tin can planters are a creative way to reuse old tin cans and turn them into colorful planters for your garden.

You can use any kind of tin cans, such as soup cans, coffee cans, or soda cans. Wash them well and remove any labels or sharp edges.

Then paint them with acrylic paint or spray paint in any colors or patterns you like. You can also decorate them with stickers, ribbons, or beads. Poke some holes in the bottom of each can for drainage and fill them with potting soil.

Plant some flowers or herbs in them and arrange them on your porch, patio, or windowsill.

4. Bottle Cap Garden Markers

Bottle cap garden markers are a cute way to label your plants and keep track of what you are growing.

You can use any kind of bottle caps, such as plastic caps from water bottles or metal caps from beer bottles. Collect as many as you need and wash them well.

Then write the name of each plant on a piece of paper or cardboard and cut it out to fit inside the bottle cap. Glue the paper to the inside of the cap and seal it with some clear nail polish or mod podge.

Attach a wooden skewer or popsicle stick to the back of each cap with some hot glue or tape and stick them in the soil next to your plants.

5. Paper Roll Seed Starters

Paper roll seed starters are a biodegradable way to start seeds indoors without using plastic pots or trays.

You can use any kind of paper rolls, such as toilet paper rolls, paper towel rolls, or wrapping paper rolls. Cut them into sections about 2 inches long and fold one end of each section to form a bottom.

Fill each section with some potting soil and plant one or two seeds in each one.

Place them on a tray or a baking sheet and water them well. When the seedlings are ready to be transplanted outside, you can plant them directly in the ground with the paper roll still attached.

The paper will decompose over time and provide nutrients to the soil.

Paper Roll Seed Starters

Instead of throwing away your empty toilet paper or paper towel rolls, you can use them to make seed starters.

All you need is some scissors, potting soil, and seeds of your choice. Cut the paper rolls into sections about two inches long.

Fold one end of each section to make a bottom. Fill the sections with potting soil and plant a seed in each one.

Water them lightly and place them on a tray in a sunny spot. When the seedlings are ready to transplant, you can plant the whole paper roll in the ground, as it will decompose over time.

Painted Rock Garden Markers

If you want to add some color and personality to your garden, you can make your own garden markers using painted rocks.

You will need some smooth rocks, acrylic paint, paintbrushes, and a permanent marker. Wash and dry the rocks and paint them with your favorite colors and designs.

Let them dry completely and then write the name of the plant or herb on each rock with a permanent marker. Place them next to the corresponding plants in your garden and enjoy!

Fairy Garden

A fairy garden is a miniature garden that you can create with your kids using natural and artificial materials.

You will need a container, such as a large pot, a wooden crate, or a bird bath. Fill it with potting soil and add some small plants, such as succulents, mosses, or herbs. Then, decorate it with items that you can find around your house or in nature, such as pebbles, shells, twigs, pine cones, buttons, and beads.

You can also buy or make some fairy accessories, such as a fairy house, a bridge, a pond, or a swing. Use your imagination and have fun creating your own magical world!

Soda Bottle Terrarium

A terrarium is a closed environment that mimics the natural cycle of water and plants. You can make your own terrarium using an empty soda bottle and some simple materials.

You will need a clear plastic bottle (preferably 2-liter), scissors or a knife, gravel or small stones, activated charcoal (optional), potting soil, small plants (such as ferns or ivy), and water. Cut off the top part of the bottle and set it aside. Fill the bottom part with a layer of gravel or stones for drainage.

If you have activated charcoal, add a thin layer on top of the gravel to prevent mold and odors. Then add a layer of potting soil and plant your plants in it. Water them lightly and cover them with the top part of the bottle. Make sure there are no gaps between the two parts of the bottle.

Place your terrarium in a bright spot but not in direct sunlight. Watch how the water evaporates from the soil and condenses on the bottle walls, creating a mini rain cycle for your plants.

Pizza Garden

A pizza garden is a fun way to grow some of the ingredients that you can use to make your own pizza at home.

You will need a large circular container or a round garden bed, potting soil, compost (optional), and seeds or seedlings of pizza-friendly plants, such as tomatoes, basil, oregano, parsley, peppers, onions, and garlic. Fill your container or bed with potting soil and compost if you have it.

Divide it into sections like a pizza slice and plant one type of plant in each section. Water them regularly and harvest them when they are ready. Then use them to make your own delicious pizza with your kids

FAQs About Gardening Projects To Do With Kids

here are some frequently asked questions about 10 easy DIY projects to get kids excited about gardening:

What are some easy DIY projects to get kids excited about gardening?

Some easy DIY projects include creating a fairy garden, making a bird feeder, building a raised garden bed, creating a worm bin, and designing a sensory garden.

How can I involve kids in building a raised garden bed?

Kids can help with measuring and cutting wood, drilling holes, and assembling the bed. They can also help with filling the bed with soil and planting the seeds or plants.

How do I create a sensory garden?

A sensory garden includes plants that stimulate the senses, such as herbs, flowers with fragrant scents, and plants with interesting textures. Kids can help choose the plants and arrange them in a designated area.

How do I make a bird feeder?

A simple bird feeder can be made by attaching a plastic bottle to a wooden dowel and filling it with birdseed. Kids can help decorate the feeder and hang it outside.

What materials do I need to create a fairy garden?

Materials needed for a fairy garden include a container, potting soil, miniature plants, small decorations, and fairy figurines. Kids can help arrange the plants and decorations in the container.

How can I teach kids about composting?

A worm bin is an easy way to teach kids about composting. Kids can help set up the bin, add food scraps, and watch the worms break down the waste into compost.

How do I make seed bombs?

Seed bombs can be made by mixing clay, soil, and seeds together and forming them into small balls. Kids can help make the seed bombs and then throw them in a designated area to grow wildflowers.

How can I incorporate art into gardening?

Kids can use rocks, paint, and markers to create garden markers or garden art. They can also create art inspired by the garden, such as painting a picture of a flower or creating a collage of leaves.

How can I get kids excited about harvesting vegetables?

Kids can help with the harvesting process by picking ripe vegetables and bringing them inside to prepare a meal or snack. They can also help with washing and preparing the vegetables.

How can I make gardening fun for kids?

Make gardening fun by incorporating games, such as a scavenger hunt for bugs or a race to see who can plant the most seeds. Kids can also have their own designated garden space where they can grow their favorite plants.

Suggested Reading: How To Start a Children’s Garden: A Step-by-Step Guide