Veg To Grow With Kids: Quick Wins for Curious Little Gardeners

There's something incredibly rewarding about watching a tiny seed transform into something you can pick and eat–especially for children. If you're looking for a simple, low-stress way to get the kids involved in the garden this summer, growing quick and easy vegetables is a fantastic place to start.

You don't need a big plot of land or fancy tools–just a bit of sun, a sprinkle of enthusiasm, and a couple of veggie varieties that don't take forever to grow. To help you get started, we've picked four of our favourite fast-growers that are perfect for little hands (and even shorter attention spans): radishes, cress, peas, and loose-leaf lettuce.

Radishes: The Speedy Snack

Radishes are a brilliant first vegetable for kids. They grow fast—most are ready in just three to four weeks—and they’re so much fun to pull out of the ground once they're ripe. Their bright colours and crunchy texture add a little excitement to the plate, especially for adventurous eaters.

Start with a sunny patch in your garden—radishes love light—and loosen the soil with a rake. If you’ve got compost handy, mixing some in will give your seedlings a healthy head start. Sow the seeds about a centimetre deep and keep them spaced a few centimetres apart.

After sowing, water the soil gently and keep it moist (but not soggy). In just a few days, you’ll see the first shoots appear—and by the end of the month, the tops of the radishes will begin to poke through the soil. That’s your signal: it’s harvest time!

Try this: The RHS Growing Gardeners Children’s Watering Can is ideal for little gardeners. With two handles for easy grip and a screw-on rose for targeted watering, it helps them feel confident and capable from the start.

Cress: The Indoor Mini-Garden

No outdoor space? No problem! Cress is one of the easiest and fastest veggies to grow indoors. All you need is a container–think old yoghurt pots, egg cartons, or even a saucer with damp kitchen roll–on a windowsill with a bit of light.

Sprinkle the seeds over moist paper or soil and mist them lightly. Cover with cling film or a clear lid to lock in humidity, then lift it once the shoots appear. In just a few days, you’ll have a lush little crop of peppery cress ready to snip and sprinkle over sandwiches, salads, or toast. It's a brilliant mini project—perfect for impatient little growers!

Try this: Pair the activity with our eco-friendly Sprouting Kit or pop a kid-sized spray mister in their starter pack to keep those tiny shoots well hydrated.

Peas: Sweet, Climbable, and Full of Surprise

Peas are a wonderful choice for slightly older children who want something a bit more hands-on. They sprout quickly, grow tall, and love to climb, adding excitement and structure to any garden patch or pot.

Sow peas in pots or directly into the soil about 3–5cm deep. Provide something for them to climb–bamboo canes, twig teepees, or garden string tied to a fence all work well. Within a few days, green shoots will appear, and soon you'll spot curly tendrils stretching out to grip whatever they can.

It takes about 8-10 weeks before the pods are ready, but the daily thrill of seeing them grow taller is part of the fun, and the sweet pods are an irresistible treat straight from the vine.

Try this: Our Paper Pot Maker is an eco-friendly and fun way to create seedling pots using newspaper. It’s a great craft activity before you even begin planting.

Lettuce: Pick-and-Come-Again Freshness

Loose-leaf lettuces are perfect for teaching kids about sustainability and the joy of homegrown food. They germinate quickly and can be harvested again and again as new leaves grow.

Lettuce prefers cooler weather, so sow seeds in spring or early summer. Use a shallow pot or window box and scatter the seeds thinly over moist soil. Cover lightly and place in a spot with partial sun. In a couple of weeks, you’ll have a pot full of vibrant baby leaves ready for snipping.

Try this: “The Willsow Book – The Lettuce Who Wanted a New Look” combines storytime and sowing into one magical moment. After reading the charming tale, plant the pages and grow your own crop of lettuce together.

A Little Garden Joy

The beauty of growing vegetables with children is how everyday moments become little milestones. From spotting the first green shoot to tasting something they grew with their own hands, it’s a sensory journey full of pride and curiosity. Who knows? Today’s cress-grower might be tomorrow’s allotment enthusiast.