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At The Kitchen Garden Playschool, we believe that every child is a natural gardener. There’s something magical about planting a tiny seed, caring for it, and watching it grow. Gardening builds patience, responsibility, and curiosity about the natural world. But if you’ve ever tried to garden with little ones, you know that some plants are more kid-friendly than others!
As a garden-focused preschool teacher, I’ve found that certain plants grow quickly, are easy to care for, and spark excitement in young learners. Whether you’re starting a backyard garden, a windowsill planter, or a school garden project, these five plants are perfect for little hands. Plus, I’ll share a fun craft for each one to extend the learning beyond the garden!
1. Sunflowers – The Ultimate Kid-Friendly Plant
Sunflowers are the superheroes of the kid’s garden. They grow quickly, tower over little gardeners, and provide seeds for snacking or crafting. Their size makes them fascinating for children, and they require minimal care—just sun and water!
🌻 Why They’re Great for Kids:
- Fast-growing (you’ll see sprouts in about a week!)
- Sturdy and low-maintenance
- Produces seeds that kids can harvest and eat
🎨 Craft Idea: DIY Sunflower Seed Feeders
After harvesting sunflower heads, let kids make a bird feeder by spreading peanut butter on a toilet paper roll, rolling it in sunflower seeds, and hanging it outside for the birds!
2. Cherry Tomatoes – A Tasty Garden Treat
Nothing beats the joy of picking a ripe cherry tomato right off the vine and popping it into your mouth! These bite-sized fruits ripen quickly, and kids love the reward of a sweet, homegrown snack.
🍅 Why They’re Great for Kids:
- Grows in small spaces (great for container gardening!)
- Produces fruit all season long
- Teaches kids where food comes from
🎨 Craft Idea: Tomato Plant Markers
Have kids paint small rocks to look like tomatoes and use them as garden markers! This helps with plant identification and adds a pop of color to the garden.
3. Radishes – Speedy Sprouts for Impatient Gardeners
If your little one loves instant results, radishes are the perfect choice. They sprout in just a few days and are ready to harvest in about a month! Even if kids don’t love the spicy taste, they’ll enjoy the process of pulling them out of the ground like tiny buried treasures.
🌱 Why They’re Great for Kids:
- Quick-growing (sprouts appear in 3-5 days!)
- Easy to pull from the soil
- Introduces kids to root vegetables
🎨 Craft Idea: Radish Stamping Art
Slice a radish in half, dip it in paint, and stamp fun patterns on paper! Kids can make colorful garden-themed artwork while learning about root vegetables.
4. Nasturtiums – Edible Flowers with a Pop of Color
Nasturtiums are a great way to introduce kids to edible flowers! Their bright blooms come in shades of red, orange, and yellow, and both the leaves and petals are safe (and tasty) to eat.
🌸 Why They’re Great for Kids:
- Vibrant and cheerful
- Grows in poor soil with little care
- Entire plant is edible, making for fun food adventures
🎨 Craft Idea: Flower Pressed Bookmarks
After picking nasturtium flowers, press them between wax paper in a heavy book for a few days. Once dried, laminate them to create beautiful homemade bookmarks!
5. Snap Peas – Sweet and Crunchy Garden Snacks
Snap peas are the perfect “snackable” garden plant. Kids love watching the vines climb, and once the pods are ready, they can be eaten straight from the plant—no cooking required!
🥒 Why They’re Great for Kids:
- Grows vertically, great for small spaces
- Produces quickly and keeps growing
- Sweet flavor makes them a hit with kids
🎨 Craft Idea: Pea Pod Puppets
Use empty pea pods to make mini finger puppets! Draw little faces on each pea with a non-toxic marker and let kids create a garden-themed puppet show.
6. Johnny Jump-Up Violas – Cold-Tolerant, Beautiful, and Edible
Johnny Jump-Ups are small, cheerful flowers that bring bright color to the garden, even in cooler weather. They are a fantastic choice for kids because they bloom early, require little maintenance, and are completely edible! Their delicate petals can be added to salads, frozen into ice cubes, or used for decorating baked goods.
🌿 Why They’re Great for Kids:
- Cold-tolerant and blooms early in the season
- Low-maintenance and grows in containers or garden beds
- Edible and perfect for creative food projects
🎨 Craft Idea: Edible Flower Ice Cubes
Pick fresh Johnny Jump-Up flowers, place them in an ice cube tray, fill with water, and freeze. These make beautiful additions to summer lemonade or fancy tea parties!
Gardening with Kids: More Than Just Plants
Gardening is about more than growing food—it’s about growing patience, curiosity, and a love for nature. By choosing plants that are fun, easy, and interactive, we can help children connect with the earth in a way that is meaningful and memorable.
Which of these plants will you try with your little gardener? Share your experiences in the comments, and let’s inspire the next generation of green thumbs!
📢 Now Enrolling for Fall 2025! 🌿🌻
The Kitchen Garden Playschool in Gladstone, OR is now accepting applications for Fall 2025! Our garden-focused, play-based preschool offers a nurturing environment where children explore nature, build creativity, and develop a love for learning.
🌱 Program Hours:
- Morning Program: Tuesdays, Wednesdays & Thursdays | 8:00 AM – 11:30 AM
- Afternoon Program: Tuesdays & Wednesdays | 1:30 PM – 5:00 PM
🌼 Ages:
- Open to children ages 3-5
Spots are limited—secure your child’s place today! Contact us at TheKitchenGardenPlayschool@gmail.com or visit the Enroll Now Page to learn more or schedule a visit. ✨
