How to Garden With Your Kids: Supplies, Easy Veggies, and Tips for Suc

Gardening has quickly become a new favorite activity for me and my kids. Up until this year, I had only been successful at growing rosemary and basil. But now our garden is bursting with parsley, lavender, basil, arugula, tomatoes, and string beans.

So what changed? While I’m definitely not a gardening expert, I’ve learned some things recently that have made a huge difference. So if you’ve been thinking about doing some family gardening this spring or setting up a kids garden, scroll on down for some tips!

My Top 3 Tips for Gardening

Treat it like a fun experiment. There is no pressure for everything to grow perfectly. Some things will thrive, some won’t, and that’s part of the fun. Most of our early growing experiments were a complete failure.
Start with easy, low-maintenance plants. Think herbs like basil or rosemary. Beginner veggies like tomatoes were easy to grow, but we struggled with keeping the bugs and animals from eating them! 🤣
Don’t overcomplicate it. You don’t need a fancy setup. A few pots, good soil, and sunlight are more than enough to start your kids' garden.

Why Family Gardening is Good for Kids

Planting a garden is a fun and simple way to teach your kids valuable life skills. I go into this a lot more in my post on outdoor play ideas, but kids learn best through playing and exploring in a supportive environment. So providing them with a kids garden — or ways to help you in the garden — is going to naturally pique their interest!

Here are a few other ways that family gardening can benefit kids:

It engages their senses. Any sort of hands-on activity that engages their senses is going to intrigue them. Plus it helps them build both motor skills and cognitive skills.
It encourages kids to experiment. Our new house has two large raised beds, so we thought it would be fun to see what we could grow. My daughters and I planted herbs and veggies in one bed, and in the other we planted flowers that we could cut for the dining room table.
It teaches patience and responsibility. Planting a garden is a slow process. And it has to be taken care of in order to grow. My daughters did a lot of the planting and watering by themselves. So my raised beds basically became the kids garden. But they did a great job, and I love seeing how capable they are!
It helps them appreciate nature. Growing a garden helps kids learn about plant lifecycles, sustainable practices, and how their actions have an impact. It can also give them a new respect for their environment and where their food comes from.
It encourages healthy habits. Gardening promotes both physical activity and mental health. Getting outside, connecting with nature, and working with your hands is therapeutic for all ages. A garden also encourages kids to make a plan, put in effort, and reap the rewards. You might even see them more willing to try nutritious veggies and fruits.

How to Start a Kids Garden

Trust me when I say you do not have to have a green thumb to start a garden. And if you think of it as a fun experiment, it will feel a lot less stressful.

Here are my top tips for gardening with kids.

Start gardening early. You don’t need to wait until kids are older to begin family gardening. Young kids, especially, are naturally curious and typically love hands-on activities. If a two year-old sees you digging in the dirt, they are going to want to join!
Read books about gardening. One of the best ways to help kids understand what a garden is and how plants grow is through books. A few of my favorite gardening books for kids are Lola Plants a Garden, Up in the Garden and Down in the Dirt, and In Our Garden.
Use what you have. Even if you have a small outdoor space or just a few containers, you can start a garden. That being said, raised garden beds are a game-changer! It’s much easier to control the quality of your soil, how the water drains, weed growth, and more.
Consider your time. While gardening is fun, it does take work! And some seasons of parenting feel busier (and more challenging) than others. If you have little kids or less time in general, you may want a low-maintenance garden with hardy plants that are easy to grow and take care of.
Pick native plants. I followed a bunch of Houston area gardeners on Instagram to get an idea for what thrives in our climate, what needs to be planted when, and what additives I should add to the soil. There are also several garden centers in the area that specialize in native plants. Find a local nursery that specializes in native plants — in Houston, we love Buchanan's Native Plants. We know that anything we buy there will grow great in Houston’s climate.
Let them choose what to plant. Kids love to assert control. Show them a list of what can go in your garden and let them choose what they want to plant. You can also take them into the store and let them choose the variety of the vegetable you’re going to plant.

Decide between seeds and starts. It can feel so magical to watch seeds sprout and transform into full-grown plants that produce flowers, vegetables, and flowers. But they do take a lot more work! If you’re all about simple and easy right now, go with starts instead for your kids garden.
Give kids age-appropriate tasks. Depending on your kids’ ages and abilities, they may be able to handle tasks on their own or they may need some support. My tweens and teen basically turned my raised beds into their own kids garden because they did most of the planting. For younger kids, you’ll want to keep the tasks small and simple.
Let them take the lead. You can show kids what to do or give them instructions, then step back and see what they do. Try to hold back from constantly coaching or trying to make things perfect. If a big gardening bed is too much, start off smaller with one seed (or start) and one pot.
Use quality tools. Kids gardening tools are often made out of plastic and are designed for play. If you want to make it easier for kids to garden along with you and set them up for success, let them borrow your gardening tools or give them their own set. Look for tools with metal heads and wooden or rubber handles.
Go with the flow. Younger kids may lose interest more quickly than older kids. If they wander off halfway through planting seeds, don’t stress. They might play a little and then come back to you — especially when it’s time to water the garden!

Ali’s Pro Tip: Set up some outdoor play ideas or put toys nearby for kids who may not have the patience to plant for long. This could be chalk, bubbles, a water table, or a yard game.

Set the spray nozzle. Make sure the nozzle is on the mist or shower setting before handing the hose over to your kids. Seeds, especially, are delicate and need light watering. You can also give your kids a little watering can. Make sure to water seeds at least once a day (or more if you live somewhere hot).

Ali’s Pro Tip: If you have an in-ground sprinkler system, check the heads monthly to make sure they work well for your garden. Our raised beds had them already set up, and they’re super convenient in a place like Houston where the extreme heat requires daily watering.

Decorate the garden. Another fun way for kids to get involved is to let them create plant markers out of popsicle sticks. They could also paint rocks and make other cute decor for their kids garden.
Check your garden. Kids will love checking the garden every day to see if their seeds have sprouted. They’ll also be eager to pick produce and enjoy what they’ve grown, right off the plant.
Keep a journal. Older kids might enjoy keeping track of what they’ve planted and how it’s growing. You can also use a journal to take notes of what worked, what didn’t, and what you’d like to do differently.

Best Plants for a Kids Garden

One of the best ways to get kids excited about gardening is to let them grow something they can actually see, smell, taste, or cut for the house.

It’s also important to choose beginner-friendly plants that are easy for kids to grow. . Here’s a list of plants we've grown ourselves or that I'd confidently recommend to any family just getting started.

Easy herbs: We always start here. Basil, parsley, rosemary, and chives are practically impossible to kill. My kids love rubbing the rosemary leaves and smelling their hands. 🌿 Herbs are also so satisfying because you can actually use them in the kitchen (or eat them straight out of the garden). My youngest loves snipping fresh basil for tomato and mozzarella salad, her specialty.
Easy veggies: Cherry tomatoes, radishes, sugar snap peas, leaf lettuce, string beans, and zucchini are all great options for beginner gardeners. Radishes are especially fun for impatient kids because they grow fast — we're talking weeks, not months. Sugar snap peas are a win because kids will eat them straight off the vine. 🤣
Easy flowers: Sunflowers, marigolds, zinnias, purple coneflowers, black-eyed Susans, and salvia are all beautiful and low-maintenance plants. We planted zinnias in our second raised bed specifically so the girls could cut them for the dining room table — and honestly, it made them feel so grown up. 💗 Marigolds are also a great natural pest deterrent, so they're pulling double duty in your garden.

Ali’s Pro Tip: These are all items that grow well in southern, humid gardens (I am looking at you Houston). Check out your local nursery or native plant store to find out what grows best in your area.

Kids Gardening Tools

Having the right kids gardening tools can make a difference. If they’re frustrated over tools not working well, they’ll be less likely to have a positive experience. Setting them up for success is key!

Trowel: This is my go-to trowel that both the kids and I use.

Garden Tool Set: With three kids, I keep multiple sets on hand so that no one is fighting over something. I love this set as it contains a hand rake, which is important in leveling the soil before you plant.

Kids Gardening Glove s: I love lightweight, breathable gloves for both my kids and myself. They keep your hands cool and comfortable (even in the Houston heat) while still giving you a good grip for digging, planting, and pulling weeds.

Hose: I love a lightweight hose that the kids can pull out on their own and put back when they are finished. This hose expands to 3 times its size when full.

Water Hose Spray Nozzle: I love that this nozzle is lightweight but still powerful. The trigger lock bar also lets you run the water without having to squeeze the handle.

Watering Can: This watering can comes with a removable shower nozzle so you can choose the water flow. The long, thin spout also makes it easy to reach tricky spots and get water to the base of the plant without wetting leaves.

Foam Kneeling Pad: More for my old knees than for the kids! But the kids still like to use it.

Plant Labels: How many times have you planted something and forgotten the exact thing that it was… same. These labels keep everything organized and kid-friendly.

Kids gardening tools 👆

Other Gardening Supplies

Here are some other items for your garden that you may want to consider using. This list includes tools and supplies that aren’t as kid-friendly but can come in handy when growing veggies and flowers.

Shovel: Having a larger shovel to move soil into your garden beds or to till the soil can come in handy.

Pruners: I don’t love anything too sharp when the kids are around. I keep a pair of flower scissors and herb shears. The herb shears are blunt enough for younger kids to use safely.

Tomato Cages: Helps support growing plants so they don’t fall over as they get bigger (especially important for tomatoes and beans).

Plant Ties: Plant ties make a big difference as they support your plants as they grow without cutting into delicate stems. These are soft, flexible, and adjustable — and they’re perfect for securing tomatoes, beans, and any climbing plants to stakes or cages. Plus you can reuse them year after year.

Raised Beds: Local gardening teams can design and build custom raised beds in your yard, but it will be expensive. These are a great inexpensive option if you don’t want to spend several hundred or more.

Pots or Containers: Pots and containers come in every size, shape, and color, making it easy to find the perfect fit for your space — whether you’re working with the front porch, a big backyard, or a small patio.

Fertilizer: I sprinkle this on my garden beds every 3 months as it is an all-in-one fertilizer that improves plant health. This fertilizer is a bonus and it delivers nitrogen, which produces robust, leafy greens.

Gardening With Kids FAQ

What are your top three tips for gardening?

I highly recommend raised garden beds, picking native plants, and understanding what will grow best (and when to plant) in your climate. Houston is very hot and dry in the summer, so we finish our spring planting by February.

How do you get kids interested in gardening?

Make it fun, give them their own space, and let them have control. Kids will naturally be drawn to any activity involving dirt (or in this case, soil) and water. Let them experiment, ask questions, and set them up to accomplish gardening tasks independently or with some support.

What vegetables are easiest to grow with kids?

Radishes, sugar snap peas, cherry tomatoes, and leaf lettuce are all excellent options for a kids garden. Radishes are especially great for younger kids because they grow so quickly — instant gratification is a powerful thing! String beans and zucchini are also easy wins. Check out my Best Plants for Kids section above for the full breakdown of easy herbs, veggies, and flowers we love.

What are some kids gardening tools that you’d recommend?

I recommend getting high-quality gardening tools for kids. The plastic tools meant for play won’t make it easy for them to plant, which can quickly discourage them from wanting to garden.

Do kids need their own gardening tools?

Honestly? Yes, and it makes such a difference. When kids have their own gardening tools, they feel ownership over the process. They're not waiting for a turn, they're not frustrated that something isn't working, and they're way more likely to stay engaged. Plus, tools for adults are designed for bigger hands that kids might not be able to grip or use correctly.

What are some other gardening activities for kids?

Some other fun ideas are painting rocks to decorate the garden, making plant labels, and building a fairy garden. You can also set up a mud kitchen, which could be as simple as a couple of containers, a pail of dirt, a watering can, and scoops.