Gardening goes hand-in-hand with nutrition education. Gardeners are engaged in hands-on learning to explore how plants grow, experience growing and tasting a variety of foods, and build a better appreciation and understanding of food. Studies have shown that children who choose, grow or help to prepare foods are more likely to taste them. 

You do not have to start out with large gardens to spark the interest of children. Start small with hands-on gardening activities and experiments, such as: 

  • Garden in a Glove - Germinate seeds in a clear glove with only a wet cotton ball. 
    Two salad cups that are growing microgreens.
                                          Salad Cup Terrarium
  • Salad Cup Terrarium - Plant lettuce or leafy green seeds in a small paper cup with a clear dome lid. 
  • Veggies in a bottle - Recycle plastic bottles or other containers to plant seeds saved  from veggies or regrow scraps from your table. 
  • Salad Necklace – Plant seeds in a small condiment cup with a lid and yarn to hang around the neck. These gardens can be worn or placed in a warm, sunny location to observe. 
  • Seed Baby Necklace – Germinate seeds in a small, clear plastic bag that has yarn to wear around the neck or hang in a sunny window for observation. 
    Small plastic baggie growing micogreens.
                                     Seed Baby Necklace
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This institution is an equal opportunity provider.

This material was funded by USDA's Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program - SNAP in cooperation with Maryland’s Department of Human Services and University of Maryland Extension. University programs, activities, and facilities are available to all without regard to race, color, sex, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, marital status, age, national origin, political affiliation, physical or mental disability, religion, protected veteran status, genetic information, personal appearance, or any other legally protected class.