How to Introduce Your Kids to Gardening with a Greenhouse Kit

As a parent, I'm always looking for fun and educational activities to do with my kids. Gardening is one of my favorites - it gets us outside, teaches responsibility and patience, and results in healthy fresh produce we can enjoy together. But living in an area with a short growing season can be challenging. 

That's where greenhouse kits come in! A small greenhouse extends the gardening season and opens up a whole new world of plants you can grow.

If you're considering getting a greenhouse kit for your family, here are some tips to get your kids excited about greenhouse gardening:

Start Small

A massive greenhouse can be overwhelming for kids (and a lot of work for you!) Instead, look for a compact tabletop greenhouse or a small 4 ft. x 4 ft. kit to begin with. 

This is a manageable size for kids to help with and enough space to grow a few of their favorite vegetables or flowers. My kids loved starting with a countertop herb garden in our little greenhouse.

Let Them Choose the Plants

Give your kids a few seed catalogs or websites and let them pick out some things they would like to grow. 

Cherry tomatoes, strawberries, and unique colored vegetables like purple carrots are always a hit with kids. Older kids may want to research what grows well in a greenhouse during cooler months in your area.

Make it a Daily Routine

Checking on the greenhouse should be a fun daily habit. My kids couldn't wait to see if any new seeds had sprouted each morning. 

Watering and tending to the plants teaches responsibility. Even young kids can help with tasks like misting seedlings or pinching off dead leaves.

Track Growth

Kids love tracking the progress of their plants. You can make a simple growth chart and have them measure heights once a week and record it. 

Take photos of them with their plants to capture the memories. Older kids can make a greenhouse journal and record planting dates, days to germination, first harvest and more.

Get Creative

A greenhouse is a great place for kids to let their imaginations run wild. Let them paint and decorate small terracotta pots to transplant seedlings into. Make silly plant markers. 

Hang up artwork or other decorations in the greenhouse. We added a thermometer and rain gauge to ours and my daughter loves playing meteorologist.

Enjoy the Harvest

The best part of gardening with kids is enjoying the literal fruits (and veggies) of your labor. Kids are so proud to eat something they grew themselves. Have a special dinner showcasing food from your greenhouse. 

Even if you only get a small handful of cherry tomatoes, your kids will burst with pride serving them to the family.

Greenhouse kits range in price from around $50 for small indoor set-ups to thousands for large backyard versions. Here is a quick comparison of some popular home greenhouse kits:

When choosing a greenhouse kit, consider how much growing space you need, your budget, and how permanent of a structure you want. 

Smaller pop-up style greenhouses are inexpensive and easy to move, while larger polycarbonate panel kits are sturdier for windy and snowy conditions.

No matter what size or style you choose, a greenhouse kit is a fun way to get your kids more involved in gardening. It fosters an appreciation for how food is grown and gets the whole family excited to eat more veggies. 

Your kids will learn not only gardening skills, but also responsibility, patience, and problem-solving. And those are lessons that will keep growing long after the last tomato is picked.

So this year, add a little greenhouse to your garden plans. Whether you have a big backyard or just a sunny windowsill, there's a greenhouse kit that's perfect for getting your family growing together. 

The memories you'll make and skills they'll learn are worth so much more than the price of even the fanciest kit. Happy greenhouse gardening!