Starting a family garden has loads of benefits. There’s the unbeatable freshness and health perks of eating veggies right from your yard. But more than that, it’s a fun family project, from the initial planning stages to enjoying the fruits (and veggies!) of your labor. We started our own garden a few years ago with the help of Erie company Eat Your Yard, and nothing makes me happier than seeing the kids picking veggies and eating them right from our garden!
I love having my kids help me in the garden. It's a practical way for kids to learn about responsibility, nature, and science. Observing a plant's lifecycle — especially when it transforms from a tiny seed into something edible — is pretty cool and teaches kids a deeper respect for the environment. Plus, it’s a clever strategy to encourage outdoor time, moving them away from screens and into the sunshine. Read more about the benefits of gardening with kids.
 Kara Murphy | Macaroni KID |
Making markers for our garden.
Many of the veggies mentioned here can thrive in containers or in the ground, making gardening more accessible, even if you’re not up for digging a big plot in your yard.
Introducing a themed garden idea is a great way to kickstart your family's gardening journey, and get a child excited about gardening. Here are three kid-friendly themed garden ideas:
 Katerina Homes | Canva |
Homemade pizza sauce and toppings are so yummy.
1. Pizza Garden
Turn mealtime into an exciting farm-to-table experience with a garden that grows all you need for the perfect family pizza night.
- Tomatoes: Easy to grow and fun to pick, tomatoes are a pizza staple for sauces and toppings.
- Bell Peppers: Add a splash of color and sweet flavor.
- Onions: Hardy plants that offer a lesson in underground growth.
- Garlic: Simple to cultivate and great for teaching about bulb plants.
- Herbs (Basil, Oregano, Thyme): Fast-growing and aromatic, these herbs introduce kids to a variety of flavors.
2. Salsa Garden
Create a zesty garden where kids can harvest ingredients for homemade salsa, learning about the different tastes and uses of each vegetable.
- Tomatoes: The base of any good salsa, tomatoes are versatile and provide a big harvest. Get a few varieties in different sizes!
- Peppers (think jalapeños, bell, habaneros): Offers a lesson in the variety of spice and heat, plus they grow in fun shapes and colors.
- Onions: Show the diversity of uses in cooking, from fresh to grilled.
- Cilantro: A fast grower, cilantro teaches about leafy herbs and their flavors.
 Kara Murphy | Macaroni KID |
Some of the veggies from our garden last year.
3. Salad Garden
Encourage healthy eating habits with a garden where kids can pick ingredients for their own salads, seeing — and tasting — firsthand how delicious growing your own vegetables can be.
- Lettuce & Spinach: Quick to sprout and harvest, these leafy greens are the backbone of almost all salads.
- Cucumbers: Fascinating for kids to watch grow, especially when they can pick and eat them fresh.
- Cherry Tomatoes: Sweet and bite-sized, perfect for little hands to pick.
- Radishes: Offer a quick reward, as they're one of the fastest-growing vegetables.
- Carrots: Fun to pull from the ground, providing a surprise reveal of their size and shape.
This growing season create lasting memories and learning experiences for your children with a garden. Whether it’s a few pots on a patio or a larger plot in the yard, what matters most is the journey of growing, harvesting, cooking, and eating together. Happy growing!
