Gardening for All Ages: 7 Kid-Friendly Garden Gifts
Seeking to nurture a budding interest in horticulture among the younger generation, we’ve gathered expert recommendations from founders in the gardening industry. Alongside their professional suggestions, we’ve included additional answers that add a playful touch to the gardening experience for children. From kid-sized tools to miniature wheelbarrows, these seven gift ideas are designed to make gardening an enjoyable and educational activity for kids.
- Choose Kid-Sized Gardening Tools
- Gift Personalized Grow Kits
- Brighten Up with Colorful Aprons
- Insect-Themed Watering Cans Excite
- Illustrated Plant Guides for Learning
- Garden-Themed Memory Board Games
- Miniature Wheelbarrows for Young Helpers
Choose Kid-Sized Gardening Tools
Every year, we take our kids to the farmers’ market to pick out herbs and tomato plants. Then, we head home to pot and water them together. The kids absolutely love getting their hands dirty, potting, and watering each plant. We make it even more fun by asking them to pick herbs when we’re cooking, which thrills them because they get to see how useful growing plants can be. We also have them crush eggshells and mix them with coffee grounds to fertilize the plants every week, teaching them the value of taking care of their plants.
If you want to instill a love of gardening in kids, I recommend kid-sized shovels and watering cans that you can get anywhere! For kids who aren’t keen on getting dirty, birdhouse kits or nature kits with plant presses are great ways to get them interested in being in a garden!
Avanti Paul
Founder, Presently
Gift Personalized Grow Kits
One of the best kid-friendly gardening gifts I’ve found is a personalized grow kit. These kits typically include seeds, soil, and small pots, all packaged in a fun, colorful container. What makes them special is the ability to customize them with their favorite characters or themes. For example, my son was once gifted a “Dinosaur Garden” kit; he loved it. It contained ryegrass seeds, sand, pebbles, alongside small plastic dinosaurs to place in the garden. The kit also came with a magnifying glass for observing the plants up close. This gift not only made gardening fun but also educational. He learned about plant care, patience, and even a bit of prehistory. Themed kits spark imagination and make the gardening process an exciting adventure for kids, fostering a love for nature that can last a lifetime.
Fritznel Francois
Founder & CEO, Pond Fountain Depot
Brighten Up with Colorful Aprons
Colorful, playful gardening aprons are a wonderful way to spark a child’s interest in gardening while keeping their clothes clean. Designed with bright patterns and hues, these aprons appeal to a child’s love for all things vibrant. They often feature pockets which can hold small tools or seeds, thus encouraging little ones to step into the role of a gardener with enthusiasm.
Moreover, the aprons can be a fun way for children to feel like a true part of the gardening process. Consider gifting one to the budding gardener in your life and watch them bloom alongside their plants.
Insect-Themed Watering Cans Excite
Quench the curiosity of young minds with an insect-themed watering can that makes nurturing plants an exciting adventure. These watering cans often come in shapes that resemble friendly insects, such as ladybugs or bees, which not only makes them appealing but also educates children about the beneficial critters found in nature’s garden. Watering becomes less of a chore and more of a playful act, as children can pretend to be helping the garden ‘grow’ with the help of their insect friends.
These cans are great for developing coordination and responsibility. Encourage a child’s nurturing side by giving them their own special watering can for their gardening tasks.
Illustrated Plant Guides for Learning
Child-friendly illustrated plant guides bring the world of botany to life for young learners in an engaging manner. These guides contain easy-to-understand information complemented by vivid illustrations that hold a child’s attention and aid in the recognition of different plant species. The simple explanations help children grasp complicated concepts such as photosynthesis and the life cycle of plants.
Taking it a step further, these guides can also include interactive activities that deepen the learning experience. Inspire a love for learning and nature in a child by sharing such an informative and entertaining guide with them.
Garden-Themed Memory Board Games
Engage a child’s mind and memories with garden-themed memory board games that are both entertaining and educational. These games help improve cognitive skills such as memory and concentration while subtly teaching children about various plants and gardening tools through beautifully illustrated cards. Since these games are designed to be played with others, they also encourage important social skills like taking turns and fair play.
The garden theme serves to connect the joy of playing with the natural world, possibly sparking an interest in outdoor activities. Gift a game to a young one and watch them grow their memory skills as they learn about the wonders of the garden.
Miniature Wheelbarrows for Young Helpers
Miniature wheelbarrows for kids are delightful tools that make them feel like vital contributors to garden work. These smaller versions of the classic gardening tool are perfect for little hands, allowing children to transport soil, leaves, or even their own gardening tools just like grown-ups, but in a more manageable size. The process of moving materials can teach them about the importance of cleanup and organization in gardening.
A kid-sized wheelbarrow can also encourage physical activity and a sense of accomplishment. Brighten a child’s day with their very own wheelbarrow and encourage them to dive into gardening activities with gusto.
Submit Your Answer
Would you like to submit an alternate answer to the question, “What kid-friendly gardening gifts do you recommend for instilling a love of gardening in young ones? Share an example that makes gardening fun for kids.”
