At Mom’s Choice Awards, we love celebrating activities that bring families closer while nurturing life skills, curiosity, and care for the planet. Gardening is one of those special activities that checks every box—fun, educational, and therapeutic. Whether you have a spacious backyard or a few pots on the porch, starting a family garden is a great way to spend quality time together and grow something beautiful (and edible!) as a team.

Here are some simple, family-friendly tips to get your garden blooming:

Start Small and Simple

When gardening with kids, begin with manageable goals. A few containers of herbs or a small raised bed of veggies can be just as rewarding as a large garden. Choose easy-to-grow plants like cherry tomatoes, snap peas, carrots, lettuce, or sunflowers to keep younger children engaged and successful from the start.

Assign Age-Appropriate Tasks

Make it a true family affair by involving everyone:

• Toddlers can help water and dig.

• Younger kids can help plant seeds and pull weeds.

• Older children might enjoy researching plants, making garden signs, or tracking growth in a journal.

• Parents can guide and supervise, but don’t be afraid to get your hands dirty too!

Mix in Fun and Creativity

Let your garden reflect your family’s personality! Create painted plant markers, fairy garden corners, or bug hotels. Make it a space your kids want to explore every day. You can even name plants together or give each child a small area to design and care for.

Make It Educational

Gardening is full of learning opportunities:

• Teach science concepts like plant life cycles and ecosystems.

• Practice math by measuring growth or spacing seeds.

• Develop responsibility through daily care.
  You can even use gardening time as a screen-free zone to foster mindfulness and connection.

Grow What You Love to Eat

Kids are more likely to stay invested if they help grow foods they enjoy. Strawberries, cucumbers, cherry tomatoes, and sweet peppers are often kid-approved crops. Bonus: picky eaters may be more willing to try veggies they helped grow!

Celebrate the Process

Not every seed will sprout, and not every crop will flourish—and that’s okay! Gardening teaches patience, resilience, and how to care for living things. Celebrate the wins, and turn the flops into learning moments.

Incorporate Award-Winning Help

Look for Mom’s Choice Award-winning books, toys, or kits that encourage outdoor learning and gardening. From nature-themed storybooks to eco-friendly gardening sets, there are plenty of MCA honorees that can inspire your little green thumbs.

Final Thought

Family gardens aren’t just about growing plants—they’re about growing memories. Whether it’s your first harvest or a blooming flower your child planted with pride, each moment is a chance to connect with nature and each other. So grab your gloves, dig in, and let the magic of gardening bring your family closer this season.