One of the skills that some busy parents are letting fall by the wayside is gardening. It is, therefore, perfect for grandparents to share with their grandchildren. Most children love both to play in dirt and to use the water hose. There you have the main components of a garden project, although some of ours will not require any dirt. If your grandchildren live nearby, they'll love coming over often to check on progress. If they live farther away, they'll be amazed at how much their plants have grown each time they visit. These are tiny garden projects that are economical to do, but they can pay off big in fun.
1. Sunny Side Up
Sunflowers have several things going for them that make them great choices for kids. One, they get really tall. Two, they have really big flowers. Three, their flowers turn into something that a kid can eat, or feed to the birds. If your assistant gardener is on the short side, there are sunflowers that stay kid-sized instead of shooting up to the stratosphere.2. Gourds in All Guises
Vines can be fascinating to kids, and gourd vines are even more so because amazing-looking objects grow on the vines. You and your grandchildren can grow ornamental gourds for fall decorating. Also consider planting luffas that can be turned into bath sponges, or gourds that can be turned into birdhouses, dippers or maracas. The possibilities are endless!3. Bean Sprouts for Little Sprouts
Because a bean is a large seed and behaves in a typical seed fashion, it can provide one of the best lessons in how plants grow. For a science lesson, put the beans between a coil of paper and the outer part of a jar so kids can watch them grow. For food, sprout mung beans in a glass jar. You can also plant them the traditional way, in the garden.4. Sweet Potato Vine
In the fifties, many kitchen windows were decorated by a vine that wound itself halfway across the room. The source of all this vegetation was a simple sweet potato, stuck with toothpicks and suspended in a glass of water. The grandkids will enjoy seeing something from the produce department turned into a house plant. Put the pointed end down into the water, and check the water level often.5. Succulents
With their fleshy leaves, succulents are a different kind of plant for kids to experience. Many of these attractive plants are also very easy to propagate. The type commonly known as "hens and chickens" will grow a new rosette-shaped plant at the base of any leaf that is broken off and left on damp soil. It's a good way to teach the grandchildren that not all plant growth comes from seeds.6. In Mint Condition
An herb garden is a great project for grandkids, but if you don't have the space or energy for a full-fledged one, at least plant a few sprigs of mint. It will grow like a house afire, and the grandkids will enjoy its fragrance. The more adventurous of them might even try a little in their juice or in their salad.7. Pumpkins for Punkins
The pumpkin is similar to the gourd in that it is easy to grow and fun to watch growing. Of course, because of the strong association between Halloween and pumpkins, kids are especially fond of growing pumpkins. Grow the tiny ones to add to fall decorations or to give to the kids for decorating with markers. Grow the larger ones for jack-o-lanterns.8. Growing Guacamole
The next time you make that south-of-the-border favorite guacamole, save the avocado seed. Then give it the same treatment you gave the sweet potato, suspending it in water using toothpicks. This time, however, the pointed end goes up. And this time, once the roots are well developed and the leaves have appeared, you will need to plant it in soil in a sunny spot.9. Salad Days
Since salad has become such a staple of our modern diet, many children eat it. Your grandkids can make their own salad by growing lettuce, tomatoes and carrots, for starters. The carrots are usually an especial hit, as kids love to wash the dirt away from the carrot top so that the orange root is exposed, then give it a hefty yank to pull it out.10. Room for Blooms
Last but not least, grow something for the pure pleasure of it, such as colorful flowers. Depending upon your climate, cosmos, zinnias or poppies would be a good choice. Artistic types can use the blooms to create a table centerpiece.
