21 Fun Gardening Activities for Students To Improve Creativity (2024)

Gardening can be an excellent way for students to learn and have fun simultaneously. It’s an activity that can provide educational opportunities and allow students to learn more about nature, science, and the environment. Gardening activities can also be fun and simple to foster creativity, collaboration, and teamwork. From creating mini garden terrariums to growing vegetables in a container garden, there are plenty of simple and fun gardening activities that students can explore.

If you are a teacher or parent who wants your little ones to feel connected with nature, you need fun gardening activities for students. Therefore, we have gathered the best ideas you can try with your beloved students.

It is educational and can also be a fun activity for students of all ages. Here are 25 fun and simple gardening activities for students to explore!

What Can Students Learn From Gardening Activity?

Students can learn a variety of life lessons from gardening activities. Gardening teaches your students about responsibility, patience, and hard work. It also helps them understand the importance of the environment and the impact of their actions on it.

Gardening can also introduce students to the basics of biology and science as they learn about the different types of plants and the soil, water, and sunlight needed for them to thrive.

Moreover, gardening can help your students develop problem-solving, observation, and analysis skills. Finally, gardening can be a great way to teach students about healthy eating habits as they harvest and enjoy the fruits of their labor.

What Skills Does Gardening Develop?

Gardening develops a variety of skills for students, both physical and mental. On the physical side, gardening requires strength to move and lift heavy objects, stamina to work in the sun, and dexterity to plant and prune. On the mental side, it involves planning, problem-solving, and creativity in deciding which plants to grow and how to arrange them.

In addition, gardening also sharpens observational skills, allowing students to watch the progress of their plants and take note of any pests or problems.

Not to mention, gardening offers an opportunity to learn about plants, soil, and ecosystems, giving your students a deeper understanding of the environment.

Best and Fun Gardening Activities for Students

Gardening is an activity that can benefit everyone, including students. Not only is it a great way to get outdoors and enjoy nature, but it can also be a lot of fun! From seed planting to composting, we’ll look at some of the best ways to get students involved in gardening and help them learn more about the natural world.

1. Regrow Vegetables

Teaching students how to regrow veggies is one school gardening activity you may do in addition to your regular lesson. Avocados, basil, carrots, and many other veggies can all be regrown. Keep the base of the fruits and vegetables in mind when chopping them.

You can grow them in water or a little soil, while others can be planted after being allowed to dry for a day or two. These will continually grow back!

2. Create A Fairy Garden Terrarium

If you want your students to learn to take care of the garden, you can teach them how to make a fairy garden terrarium. Instead of using wooden dwellings, you may create a fairy house out of a tiny garden pot, Popsicle sticks, and stones.

Ask your students to bring the tiny seat, the flag, the signage, and the wooden fence to adorn the “front yard”“. Students will happily take care of their plants while admiring the beautiful fairy garden terrarium.

3. Seed Starter from Toilet Paper Tube

You may have an excessive amount of toilet paper at your disposal. But don’t worry; we have an indoor gardening activity with students to help you use that stockpile effectively. Let your students make seed starters out of the used toilet paper tubes.

Make four cuts at the tube’s bottom, one inch apart, and fold the resulting pieces under the tube to form a base. These should be filled with dirt, a seed, and water spritzed.

4. Build A Worm Farm

Worms are entertaining for students and contribute to the development of nutrient-rich soil. Break the students into small groups and have each group construct a worm farm using materials like an old plastic container, soil, newspaper strips, and compost.

Once all the worm farms are constructed, have each group add worms to their container. Remember to teach students how to take care of their worm farm, such as how often to feed the worms, keep the farm moist, and harvest the compost.

5. Grow Potatoes In A Ball Jar

Here’s another idea using leftover food if you are looking for a gardening project for 5th grader students. A potato should be roughly pierced around with three or four toothpicks in the middle. Then, place the potato in the mason jar with half of it inside. Fill it with water until the bottom of the potato is completely submerged. Put the pot on a window sill with plenty of suns to stay warm. In the following two weeks, it will start to develop foliage.

6. Make Garden Markers

Garden markers are a unique decor to attract a fairy. Ask your students to create garden markers creatively. You can start with wooden spoons that are inexpensive and available at dollar stores and secondhand shops. Simply design and paint them before planting them.

Moreover, popsicle sticks make excellent garden markers. You can create adorable minor signs with your students with only hot glue and popsicle sticks!

7. Sprout Seeds

Students are more likely to eat vegetables if they understand how to cultivate them. Therefore, how about learning to sprout some seeds? Seeds that have sprouted have a remarkably high enzyme content. It just takes 3 to 10 days for seeds to sprout!

This is a fun and simple school gardening lesson you can perform with students to get a quick return on your investment in seed sprouting.

8. Grow Grass Houses

If you are looking for a gardening activity for elementary students, you can go with grass houses from sponges. For the front and rear walls, simply cut a sponge in half. Attach the roof to the sides, then the front and back walls, before assembling everything and securing it with flower pins.

After that, set the house atop a plastic container’s raised lid. Spray the house and cover the surfaces with grass seeds. Water the grass houses regularly for the best-growing result.

9. Plant A Tree Buddy

Help your students get a new friend that teaches them about protecting the environment with this simple outdoor garden activity. Having a tree as a buddy is an excellent chance to teach your kids about all the fantastic things trees can provide for us.

While your students plant their tree buddies, tell them that their trees offer fruit, provide us with oxygen and shade, and serve as homes for many creatures.

10. Make Ice Cream Cones Planters

The idea of safe and biodegradable planters is fascinating and straightforward to have. And you can use an ice cream cone to do this project! Well, who doesn’t love ice cream? Your students will undoubtedly be excited while making cute planters from ice cream cones.

Have the students fill the cones with potting soil and compact it down. Afterward, let your students carefully place the plants or seedlings in the cones. Once the plants have grown, the students can set the planters in a sunny spot and enjoy the results of their hard work!

11. Create A Butterfly Puddle

When it comes to a simple summer gardening activity for 4th grader students, you can ask them to find butterflies. Instead of catching them, create a sweet small butterfly puddle for them to drink from and plant blooms that butterflies like, like this lovely soulmate butterfly weed.

Tell your students that this project lets us know how effectively our ecosystem functions. The more butterflies we observe, the healthier and more thriving our ecology is. They enhance the beauty of your landscape and give your students a sense of contribution and purpose.

12. Recycled Bottles Herb Garden

As your students age, they may become aware of herbs with their various aromas and tastes. Therefore, this project is an ideal gardening activity for high school students. Plant several of the same types of herb seed in each bottle.

Make sure to leave enough room for the herbs to grow. Water the herbs regularly and keep the container in a spot with plenty of indirect sunlight. Once the herbs are fully developed, you can enjoy them in your favorite recipes!

13. Build A Sunflower Fort

Nothing is more exciting for students who are prepared to engage in a larger outdoor activity and further their social isolation than building a fort. Sunflower seeds, soil, plant pots, and water are all you need. Make sure you have the design before gardening with students. Plant the seeds in the jars, making sure to fill the pots with soil and water the seeds.

Once the sunflower plants have grown, have students carefully weave the stems of the plants together to form the fort’s walls.

14. Old Sandbox Garden

Suppose you want a mini vegetable garden for your students, then you have come to the right place! It is one of the fun gardening activities with students.

Have the students scoop out the sand and level the bottom of the sandbox. Then, add potting soil to the sandbox. After that, you can show the students how to plant the plants in the sandbox. Remember to have the students water the plants with the watering can. Let your students enjoy their planters and take care of them.

15. Paint Garden Stone

If you are looking for a fun and simple garden project for middle school students, why don’t you paint on garden stone? Start with going rock hunting, look for stones in your young gardeners’ yards, or take a walk around their neighborhood. Any designs that they want can be painted on them.

These can also be used as garden markers. You can use painted stones to identify your herbs, vegetables, and flowers once your indoor plant projects are ready to be transplanted outdoors.

16. Garden Art From Recycled Can

If you are looking for gardening classroom activities to excite your students, making art will always go right. Depending on the design, you can use a hammer and nail to create punctures in the can or use a can opener to access the inner part of the can. Let the students use their creativity to paint the can, using different colors and designs.

You can also use sponges or other materials to create texture and patterns. When the garden art piece is complete, the students can install it in the garden. They can also choose to hang it in their homes or give it as a gift to friends and family.

17. Make An Organic Veggie Patch

A fun spring gardening activity, let your students make an organic veggie patch to welcome the new season. Let them plant the vegetables of their choice. Planting seeds and watering the garden is a great way to involve students. Moreover, educate students about the importance of organic gardening and provide tips on caring for the plants.

Remember to monitor the progress of the plants and encourage students to harvest the vegetables when they’re ready.

18. DIY Newspaper Pots

This is one of the creative students gardening crafts to learn gardening and recycling simultaneously. Start by gathering materials such as newspaper, scissors, tape, a ruler, and potting soil. Cut the newspaper into strips and roll them into tubes.

After that, place the ends of the tubes together and form a pot shape. Secure the ends together with a piece of tape. Finally, your students can plant the desired seeds into the potting soil!

19. Build A Plastic Bottle Greenhouse

Utilizing a plastic bottle with a greenhouse is a perfect garden design for students. Besides, keep your plastic bottles out of the ocean and put them in your school garden to create a miniature greenhouse.

Start by making the greenhouse frame first. Then, arrange plastic bottles following the greenhouse frame. Inside the plastic bottle greenhouse, your students can keep their desired plants safely.

20. Turn Rain Boots Into A Garden

Well, creating garden crafts will increase their gardening passion. Simply ask your students to bring their old boots which don’t fit their feet anymore. Fill the boot with potting soil.

Make sure the boot is filled in a manageable amount. Then, place the plant in the hole and fill it with potting soil. Water thoroughly and put the boot in a sunny spot. And your creative boot planters are done!

21. DIY Watering Can

Making a DIY watering can is a great but simple gardening activity for students. This project will enhance their love of plants while watering the garden.

Simply clean out a container, such as an empty laundry detergent container, a gallon of milk, or a water bottle, to remove all residue. Make holes in the bottle tops, then pour water into the bottles. To avoid overwatering plants, drill small holes and measure the amount of water that emerges.

Final Thought

Finally, gardening is an excellent activity for students to learn about the natural world, how to care for plants, and the importance of following instructions. Gardening also allows students to explore their creativity, build problem-solving skills, and even enjoy some physical activity.

By engaging in gardening activities from this article, your students can gain a deeper appreciation for nature and develop a sense of responsibility for their environment.

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FAQ (Frequently Asked Questions)

Why is gardening a life skill for students?

Gardening helps students develop essential life skills, such as problem-solving, teamwork, communication, and responsibility. It can help students develop a sense of pride and accomplishment when they work hard and see the results of their efforts. Gardening also teaches students about sustainability, nutrition, and the environment. It helps them learn to appreciate the natural world and become better stewards of the environment.

What do students learn from planting seeds?

Students learn about the life cycle of plants, the importance of taking care of the environment, and how to grow healthy plants.

They also learn about the importance of patience and the rewards of hard work. Additionally, they can learn about the science behind how plants grow and the elements necessary for successful growth.

What lessons can students learn from plants?

Students can learn that plants are resilient and adapt to various climates, environments, and conditions. This teaches them the importance of resilience and adapting to changing circ*mstances.

Moreover, plants take time to grow, bloom, and produce fruit. Students will learn the importance of patience and perseverance to achieve their goals and objectives.

What type of physical activity does gardening belong to?

Gardening typically falls into the category of moderate-intensity physical activity. This is because it involves physical movements such as bending, stretching, lifting, and walking, which can raise the heart rate and provide moderate exercise. Therefore, this activity is ideal for students.