Gardening is a great way for children to explore the outdoors, stay active, and connect with nature. Whether you have a big backyard, a compact patio, or a few pots on a balcony, there are plenty of fun and easy gardening activities for children that promote creativity, coordination, and curiosity. Gardening encourages kids to move, observe, and learn—all while having a great time outside.
Why Garden with Kids?
Spending time outdoors provides benefits that go far beyond play. Garden activities for children support:
- Stress relief and mindfulness
- Vitamin D from natural sunlight
- Fine and gross motor skill development
- Better eating habits through growing food
- Sensory engagement and creativity
- An understanding of nature and biodiversity
10 Outdoor Garden Activities for Toddlers and Kids
These easy gardening activities for kids are perfect for all types of green spaces—big or small:
- Tidy the patio – Clean up winter debris for a refreshed outdoor space.
- Paint stones – Use paint or chalk to turn rocks into garden decorations.
- Plant herbs – Start a mini herb garden using small pots from the supermarket.
- Water painting – Give children a brush and bucket to "paint" fences or paths.
- Hang an insect feeder – Attract bees and butterflies with a DIY bug hotel.
- Plant window boxes – Ideal for small garden ideas for children. Try strawberries or tomatoes.
- Clean patio furniture – Use soapy water and get kids involved in a mini makeover.
- Decorate the garden – Add bunting, wind chimes, or homemade ornaments.
- Go on a nature hunt – Explore leaves, bugs, and flowers right in your garden.
- Build a scarecrow – Use household items to create a fun garden guardian.
Try the "Pot Play Challenge" Game
This playful garden game is great for developing coordination and spatial awareness. All you need are some plastic plant pots in different sizes.
How to Play:
- Line up the pots in size order
- Hide objects underneath and play a memory game
- Stack pots by size
- Use them as a target and toss beanbags or balls
- Arrange in a pyramid and knock them down for points
Skills Developed: Coordination, balance, fine motor skills, problem-solving. Keywords Introduced: Build, stack, tall, size, next, big, small, narrow, wide
Bonus: Scavenger Hunt Worksheet
To make your gardening time even more engaging, download our Scavenger Hunt Worksheet. It’s a great way to guide children through outdoor exploration while supporting learning and observation.
Click here to download this worksheet!
Looking for More At-Home Activities?
If you're looking for even more ways to keep the kids engaged, active, and learning at home, head over to the Family Zone on The PE Hub. You’ll find a wide range of games, creative challenges, and physical activity ideas—perfect for indoors, outdoors, and everything in between.