Herb Gardening with Kids: Fast, Fragrant, Flavorful Family Fun

Herbs are the perfect gateway crop for children — fast germination, sensory appeal, culinary payoff, and year-round indoor option.

Why Herbs for Kids?

• Sprout in weeks (not months).
• Indoor anytime; outdoor in warm weather.
• Disease-resistant, drought-tolerant.
• Kids beam when sprinkling *their* basil on pizza.

Simple Setup

• 6 pots with drainage (kids paint them).
• Seeds or starts (lavender, sage, mint, coriander, basil, parsley, oregano).
• Potting soil, plastic wrap, popsicle sticks, marker, poster paint.

Planting Steps

1. Fill pots, scatter seeds (no overlap), light cover, firm.
2. Water gently — no wet feet. Label sticks.
3. Cover with plastic wrap; uncover every other day for air (prevents mold).
4. 4–6 hours sun. Germination in 2–6 weeks.
5. Remove plastic, enjoy growth and fragrance.

Success breeds curiosity — expand to more herbs next season.

Article by Mary Hanna. Kids project: Built By Kids.