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Planting seeds is a simple and rewarding activity that introduces kids to science, nature, and the joy of growing things. Whether you’re homeschooling, running a classroom activity, or just looking for a fun project, this post will walk you through how to plant seeds with kids. I’ll give you the best seeds to grow, the easiest containers to use, and hands-on ways to teach the plant life cycle. Let’s get growing!
Why Its Great to Plant Seeds With Kids
Gardening with kids offers so many benefits. It’s not just about growing plants—it’s about growing curiosity, observation skills, and confidence. Kids get to be scientists, caretakers, and explorers all at once. This hands-on science activity builds a real-world understanding of how living things grow, while also teaching responsibility, patience, and problem-solving. Learn all of the science you can learn through gardening down below.
Whether you’re homeschooling, leading a co-op group, or just looking for screen-free fun, planting seeds with kids is an ideal spring activity to spark your child’s love for learning and nature. It’s a great activity for the whole family. Even toddlers can get involved in the process.
Another reason I love gardening with kids is that it gets them excited to taste the foods they have grown. It’s a great way to get them interested in eating fruits and vegetables.
Best Seeds for Kids to Grow
When choosing seeds for young gardeners, go for options that sprout quickly, grow easily, and have larger seeds that are easier for small hands to handle. Some seeds, like lettuce or carrots, are tiny—great for fine motor practice but sometimes frustrating for little fingers. On the other hand, larger seeds like pumpkins, beans, peas, and sunflowers are perfect for preschoolers and early elementary kids to pick up and plant on their own. I always like to buy non-GMO heirloom seeds when I can because you can save their seeds and regrow them next year.
Super Easy Seeds
These seeds sprout quickly and are easy to grow, making them ideal for kids. Some things to consider when choosing what seeds to plant with kids: size of the seeds, how quickly they grow, what they produce, how easy they are to grow. Large seeds are easier to handle for younger kids.
Easy Fast-Growing Plants:
- Radishes – These tiny seeds sprout in just 3–5 days and are fully grown in about 3–4 weeks. Great for instant gratification!
- Green Beans – The seeds are large, easy to plant, and sprout within a week. Kids love watching them climb.
- Peas – Sweet peas are a springtime favorite. They’re quick to grow and delicious to pick and snack on. They are always our favorite to munch on straight from the garden.
- Sunflowers – The seeds are large and easy to handle, and the plants grow tall fast—perfect for measuring and observing.
- Lettuce – While the seeds are small, lettuce grows very quickly and can be harvested within a few weeks and made into delicious salads!
- Zinnias or Marigolds – These cheerful flowers brighten up any space and give kids a colorful reward.
- Cucumbers – They are typically easy and fast to grow. Plus, kids love to eat them!
- Herbs– If you do not have a lot of outdoor growing space, grow herbs inside in small pots Chives, oregano, cilantro, dill, mint, basil and parsley are fun to grow, and they can be used for cooking, too!
Best Seeds for Younger Kids (Ages 3–6)
- Lima Beans – Super big seeds make these ideal for small hands and seed-viewing experiments.
- Pumpkins – Fun to grow and easy to handle, though they take longer to mature.
- Zucchini– These have large seeds, and grow quickly. They also usually produce a lot!
- Cress – Incredibly fast-growing and will even sprout on damp paper towels or cotton balls.
- Corn– While corn needs a lot of room to for and produce, it can be fun to grow. The plants grow quickly and get so tall!
- Sunflowers– Sunflower seeds are big and easy to handle They are so fun to grow outside, too!
Simple Containers for Starting Seeds at Home or in the Classroom
You don’t need to buy anything fancy to start seeds. Look around your house for simple, creative containers:
- Yogurt cups or clear plastic cups are perfect for watching root development.
- Egg cartons are a great eco-friendly option and make it easy to plant multiple seeds at once.
- Toilet paper rolls can be used as biodegradable pots that can go straight into the soil.
- Muffin tins, ice cube trays, and even small baking pans work well in a pinch.
- You can also invest in simple seed trays with plastic domes, which help keep moisture in and act like mini greenhouses. We have some of these that we reuse each year.
- Even a plastic baggie with a wet paper towel can be a fun way to start seed with young children. It’s the perfect way to observe seed germination.
Whatever container you use, make sure it has drainage holes or a layer of gravel to prevent soggy roots.
How to Plant Seeds with Kids
This seed planting method is easy to follow and works with almost any container:
- Fill the container with damp potting mix. Avoid using garden soil—it can be too heavy and may contain pests. Little hands love scooping and digging in dirt!
- Poke a hole for the seed using a pencil or finger. The seed packet will tell you how deep to plant—larger seeds usually go deeper.
- Place the seed in the hole. We usually use 2-3 seeds. If seeds are very small, use tweezers or a folded piece of paper to help guide them.
- Cover with soil and gently press down. Kids love this part!
- Label the plant so you remember what you planted (see plant label ideas below).
- Water gently using a spray bottle or tiny watering can. The soil should feel damp like a wrung-out sponge.
- Place the container in a sunny, warm spot (like a windowsill) and check daily for signs of sprouting.
Watering and Light Tips for Growing Seeds
Seeds need three main things to grow: warmth, water, and light.
- Light: Most seeds don’t need light to germinate, but once they sprout, they’ll need about 6–8 hours of sunlight a day. A sunny windowsill works great, or use a small grow light if natural light is limited. You can also invest in fluorescent lights made just for growing plants.
- Water: Keep the soil moist but not soggy. Too much water can rot seeds, and too little can dry them out. A misting bottle is perfect for kids—it’s easy to control and fun to use!
Encourage kids to check their plants daily. Observing the soil and learning when it’s time to water builds responsibility and awareness.
Fun Gardening Experiments That Teach the Plant Life Cycle
Use simple seed experiments to help kids understand how plants grow and what they need to thrive.
Bean in a Bag:
Place a soaked lima bean between damp paper towels inside a zip-top bag. Tape the bag to a sunny window and watch the seed sprout roots and a shoot. This is a classic and exciting way to observe germination.
Light vs. Dark:
Plant two seeds in identical containers, but place one in a sunny spot and one in a dark cupboard. Have kids predict what will happen and record their observations.
Water vs. No Water:
Let kids plant two of the same seeds, but water only one. What happens over time?
Warm vs. Cold:
Put one planted seed in a warm place and another in a cooler area. Discuss how temperature affects growth.
These hands-on science activities are perfect for homeschool gardening units or classroom STEM lessons.
Create a Seed Journal: Track Growth with Daily Observations
A seed journal is a wonderful way to reinforce learning and build observation skills. Kids can record planting dates, draw pictures of the sprouts, measure plant height with a ruler, and reflect on the changes they see. Check out my Garden Growth Charts!
Here’s a simple outline for your seed journal:
- Cover Page: “My Seed Journal” with name and date
- Planting Day Entry: What kind of seed, where it’s planted, predictions
- Daily or Weekly Log Pages: Date, sketch or photo, height, changes observed
- Experiment Pages: Setup, hypothesis, results
- Reflection Page: What did I learn? What surprised me?
Creative Plant Label Ideas for Kids
Labeling your seeds helps you remember what you planted—and it can be a fun, crafty project for kids! Try these simple and creative plant marker ideas:
- Popsicle sticks – Write the plant name in marker or paint.
- Painted rocks – Decorate with the name and a picture of the plant.
- Wooden or plastic spoons – A fun, durable option.
- Clothespins on skewers – Clip onto the side of the pot or poke into the soil.
- Laminated seed packets– this can easily show what’s growing!
- Printable labels – Make or download some plant name flags and tape them to toothpicks.
- Check out our homemade Clay Stamped Garden Markers!
Make it a mini art project before you even start planting!
Transplanting Your Seedlings and Moving Them Outdoors
Once your plants are several inches tall and the weather is warm enough, it’s time to move them outside. Let kids help “harden off” the plants by placing them outside for a few hours each day, gradually increasing their time outdoors over the course of a week.
Then you can transplant them into a garden bed, large container, or raised bed. Watching their little sprouts turn into real vegetables or flowers gives kids a huge sense of accomplishment!
What Science Concepts Do Kids Learn Through Gardening?
Gardening is more than just a fun activity—it’s a rich, hands-on way to teach science! As kids dig, plant, water, and observe, they naturally explore important concepts like:
- Plant Life Cycles – From seed to sprout to mature plant and back to seed again. See my Pumpkin & Dandelion life cycles.
- Parts of a Plant – Roots, stems, leaves, flowers, and their functions.
- Photosynthesis – How plants use sunlight, water, and air to grow.
- Soil Science – Understanding different types of soil and how they affect plant growth. Learn about the Soil layers with this dirt cup activity!
- Weather & Water Cycle – Observing how temperature, rain, and sunlight influence plants. See my Leaf Transpiration experiment.
- Scientific Inquiry – Making predictions, observing changes, and recording data.
- Pollination & Ecosystems – How insects, birds, and plants work together in nature.
- Environmental Responsibility – Composting, sustainability, and caring for living things.
Through gardening, kids don’t just learn science—they experience it in action.
Final Tips for a Successful Kids’ Gardening Project
- Be patient—germination and growth take time.
- Let kids take ownership of their plants. A little responsibility goes a long way.
- Use labels so you don’t forget what’s planted where.
- Celebrate each stage: sprouting, growing, flowering, and harvesting!
See More Garden Themed Activities for Kids:
Compost Science Experiment in a Jar With Printable List
Clay Stamped Garden Markers
Elephant Watering Can Garden Craft
Gardening With Kids
Awesome Pumpkin Life Cycle Activities
