Summer Gardening Ideas With Kids Colorado

Spring has arrived, which means now is the perfect time to lace up your old sneakers and get your hands dirty with seeds, flowers and other outdoor projects. But even though you may have a long to-do list of tasks that will benefit your landscape all year long, there are plenty of things that your kids can do during the planting season, too. We've rounded up some of our favorite creative kids' gardening projects to engage the little ones at home this spring.

spring gardening projects for kids — Photo credit: iStock/ArtMarie

1. Create a fairy garden

These whimsical miniature landscapes are a wonderful outlet for children's creativity, and you can design them in virtually any available space. There are no rules for this activity – you can use everything from the corner of a window box or raised bed to an old shoebox or planter. And kids will love exploring the house and yard for the perfect materials to use in their fairy gardens.

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2. Painted planters

Decorating a flower box or planter is a wonderful springtime activity for the youngsters in your house. All you need is a planter or a plastic or wooden container, some waterproof paint and a place to let the kids' imaginations run wild. Don't forget to pick up some seeds for them to sprinkle in when they're done. They'll love caring for their plants and watching them grow in the box they created themselves.

3. Design a bug box

The idea of a bug box may make you a little squirmy, but helping your children design and build a bug box is a fun and educational way to spend an afternoon. There are dozens of DIY instructions online, and each vary depending on what kind of insect you're hoping to attract. This is a great opportunity to teach your children about beneficial bugs that help flowers and vegetables grow.

4. Grow microgreens

Younger children may not be patient enough to fully appreciate the growth of a full vegetable garden, but microgreens are a whole different ballgame. Because many varieties can pop up in a week or less, growing them not only holds kids' interest but also encourages them to taste and enjoy their greens.

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5. Make a butterfly feeder

If you would rather avoid the creepy crawlies in a bug box, a butterfly feeder is a great alternative. Most children love butterflies, and DIY feeders are easy to make at home. Because these colorful critters like to sip on sugar water, your kids can easily design their own feeder using items you probably already have around the house.

6. Paint garden markers

Painting garden markers is a fun activity that children are sure to enjoy. Set your children up with a few rocks, acrylic paints and small brushes and let them work their magic. At the end of this fun-filled activity, you'll have a variety of colorful garden markers that your children can set out in our garden or their own. This also gives you a chance to start teaching them how to identify different plants.

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7. Create a bird food garland

If your children have ever created popcorn garlands for the Christmas tree, they're going to be champs at putting together bird food garlands. While you can use a variety of materials for this easy garden project, we recommend uncooked cranberries or a variety of dried fruits, both of which are easy to keep on yarn, string or kitchen twine. When the kids are done, simply drape the garland from a tree and watch as the birds arrive.

8. Plant a vegetable garden

Microgreens are an easy way to teach younger children about the miracle of growing their own food, but a vegetable garden is an excellent option for those with longer attention spans. You can help them set up their own container or corner of a raised bed. Consider letting them pick what they want to grow or suggest a pizza garden with tomatoes, peppers, basil and oregano.

9. Keep a garden journal

Another fun but educational activity for older children is keeping a garden journal. This is a particularly fun project for those kids who have their own plants to look after – like microgreens or a corner of the vegetable garden. Encourage your children to not only take notes about the progress of their plants but also draw what the plants look like at various stages of growth. You can even have them do taste tests after the harvest and write down which varieties were their favorites.