As parents, we’re always looking for something new to get the kids off the sofa and away from the TV. There are few activities more educational and enjoyable than growing and harvesting fruit, vegetables, and herbs; gardening is great fun and a lesson in science, helping youngsters learn about environmental care, keeping them active, and offering quality family time.

Growing plants is an easy and inexpensive hobby, as they can be grown anywhere from gardens and allotments to rooftops or windowsills. And children will feel an undeniable sense of achievement when eating the healthy, nutrient-filled produce they’ve grown with their own hands!

But why else should I choose gardening?

The beauty of gardening is that talking about what plants need to grow—soil, water, and sunlight—offers the opportunity to talk about what your child needs to grow, too. Plants, like people, need to be provided and cared for, so easy comparisons can be made between soil and food, sunshine and love, and of course, we all need water.

Your little ones will build responsibility and self-esteem when they see what they have achieved with their own two hands!

Kids are often eager to taste what they have grown, which means they’ll soon become better at tasting new foods and trying new things.

What’s more, you’ll quickly find that home-grown produce tastes better than shop-bought foods.

By sparingly using water, recycling garden waste for compost, and explaining the importance of saving and reusing resources, gardening is a great opportunity to teach kids about caring for the environment.

Now, if you’re planting for the windowsill or balcony, you’ll need:

Seeds or seedlings, as chosen by your child

Local garden centres or even a children’s book about growing things is a great place to start. Inspired by what they have seen, let your child decide what they would like to plant. Cherry tomatoes make a lovely snack for little hands; basil if you’re looking for something that smells delicious; or butternut squash if they’d like to grow something a bit bigger. In addition to basil, mint, parsley, and chives are great for kids, as they’ll love their strong aromas and because they can be picked and added to salads or meals by the children themselves.

Containers of some kind

From a plant pot to a plastic cup, an empty carton to an old pan, anything will do. And you could go the extra mile and make a fun activity of painting and decorating the containers together with your children.

Soil

All local garden centres and even some supermarkets sell soil by the bag, and you likely won’t need very much.

Compost

While you can plant seeds directly into the soil, some plants (in particular those being grown in containers) may also require some compost. Compost can be easily bought from garden centres or supermarkets.

Little sticks and a pen

The sticks from ice lollipops will prove perfect for keeping track of which container holds which plant. Just write the plant name on the stick, pop it into the soil, and you’re good to go!

Water

Plants, of course, need a regular supply of water and sunlight, but remember that some require more than others, so be sure to check the seed’s packet or check its individual needs online.

If you have a garden available and you’re planting directly into the soil, you may also want to get hold of a few child-sized tools: a small shovel and spade or an old spoon to prepare the soil, a watering can, and some fertiliser will do the trick. They’ll love having their own little tools to help them get by.

So, now that we have an idea of all the different bits and bobs we’ll need, let’s get to the actual planting.

Planting steps:

Check for the specific needs of the produce, what time of year they grow, and how much water and sunlight they require.
When you have seeds or small starter plants, fill your containers with soil and let your child carefully plant them.
Help your child to carefully place the planted seeds on a windowsill, balcony, rooftop, or in the garden, with access to as little or as much recommended sunlight.

Encourage or just help your toddler to water the plants. Explain to them why it is important to do so routinely and regularly and that this is a responsibility.
Once the produce appears ready, help your toddler harvest it and prepare it for a family meal.

Easy things to grow with your toddler

There are lots of these, but Unii favourites include carrots, cucumbers and onions. These will all grow in containers but ought to be outside on a rooftop, balcony, or garden with plenty of light. Grow wonderfully fragrant herbs and small plants indoors on the windowsill. You’ll find they’re lovely to look at and very easy to manage. Finally, if you’re lucky enough to have a garden or allotment access, you will enjoy growing beets, green beans, pumpkins, and kale with your toddler.

Why should I grow food with my children?

Learn the joys of growing food with your child from Unii’s Toddler Nutrition Journey.