Greenhouse gardening gives kids the chance to explore how plants grow while fostering curiosity through questions and hands-on learning. 

In this blog, you’ll find easy-to-care-for plants that not only teach kids about plant growth but also help them develop a deeper appreciation for the growing process. Even when some crops don’t succeed, children will learn from their failures by making observations and figuring out what went wrong. 

As they observe different crops, kids will recognize both the unique characteristics and shared traits in plant development, as well as how each variety requires its own care. Let's go to the list of 6 crops for kids to grow in a greenhouse.

 

1. Snap Peas & Snow Peas

Why They Are Great for Kids:

• Large seeds make them easy for small hands to plant.

• They germinate quickly, giving kids the opportunity to witness the growth journey.

• They climb, teaching children about growth habits and vertical gardening.

How They Benefit Kids: Watching pea seeds sprout and climb trellises helps children understand plant growth and development under the right conditions, as well as biological DNA predispositions, such as climbing vines versus spreading varieties and the process of photosynthesis. Plus, peas make a delicious snack straight from the vine!

2. Cherry Tomatoes & Tomato Plants

Why They Are Great for Kids:

• They thrive in warm weather and warm temperatures, making them a good choice for an unheated low maintenance greenhouse.

• Small fruits grow quickly, offering an immediate harvest season. 

• Watching them develop in a variety of colors teaches kids about plant growth, ripening, and the natural challenges of gardening, such as losing part of the harvest to frost or pests. 

How They Benefit Kids: Growing tomato plants helps children learn about pollination, plant growth, and the successes and challenges of harvesting. They gain hands-on experience with pest management, garden care, and the importance of observation and preparation. Watching flowers transform into fruit makes the process exciting, while setbacks teach resilience and the value of learning from mistakes.

3. Bell Peppers

Why They Are Great for Kids:

• Kids can learn about saving seeds and germinating them for the next growing season.

• They can explore different colorful varieties at the same time, making gardening even more exciting.

• These plants can grow in raised beds, large pots, or garden beds, offering plenty of flexibility.

How They Benefit Kids: Bell peppers are a good idea for teaching about germination, soil temperature, and plant development. Kids will love seeing how the greenhouse plants change color as they ripen.

4. Green Onions

Why They Are Great for Kids:

• They need little care and maintenance and are hardy for inexperienced hands.

• They’re cold weather tolerant, growing even in early spring.

• They can regrow from kitchen scraps, making them a fun plant for experiments.

How They Benefit Kids: Growing green onions teaches kids about plant regrowth and vegetable garden sustainability by showing how they can be regrown after use in the kitchen. It also helps them understand that not all crops have this ability and learn how to identify those that do.

5. Carrots

Why They Are Great for Kids:

• One of the most fun crops for kids to grow is carrots, as they can also play a guessing game to predict their size.

• Harvesting carrots is especially satisfying, giving kids the chance to identify the signs of a crop ready for harvest.

How They Benefit Kids: Watching carrots grow underground helps children understand how plants store energy and develop from seeds into crops. It also teaches the importance of soil quality and how different types affect growth. Kids can learn when to harvest by recognizing key signs, and enjoy a fun, crunchy, and nutritious snack straight from the garden!

6. Cilantro and Parsley

Why They Are Great for Kids:

• They grow fast and plentiful from seeds to flowering and developing seeds.

• They can be snipped and used in cooking, teaching about edible plants.

• They require minimal space, perfect for small section gardening.

How They Benefit Kids: These herbs teach kids to distinguish them by scent, sight, and taste. They also learn the proper way to harvest during the growing season and recognize the flowering stage, signaling the end of the harvest and the time for the plant to go dormant.

Final Thoughts

Involving kids in greenhouse gardening is a fantastic way to spark curiosity and hands-on exploration. As they ask questions and discover how plants grow, they’ll learn to recognize the differences between crops while also understanding the similarities in their development. By working with easy-to-grow plants—whether vines, roots, or spreading varieties—children will gain valuable insights into how plants grow from seeds and appreciate the unique ways each one flourishes.