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Dig into Gardening: Fun Activities, Science Projects, and Healthy Eating Tips

May 7, 2025 by Mama Carmody Leave a Comment

Children and an adult planting vegetables together in a garden, promoting fun gardening activities for kids and healthy outdoor learning

Gardening with kids is a joyful, hands-on way to spark curiosity, teach science, and encourage healthy eating habits. Whether you’re planting a single pot on a balcony or creating a full backyard garden, there are endless opportunities to have fun while learning. In this post, you’ll discover gardening activities for kids that blend science, creativity, and delicious rewards. Plus, we’ll share free printables to help your little gardeners dig right in!

If you enjoy gardening with kids, be sure to check out our earlier post, Earth Day: Gardening with Children, for even more fun ideas!

Plant a Rainbow Garden

Planting a rainbow garden is a colorful and exciting project for children. Choose fruits and vegetables that represent each color of the rainbow—red tomatoes, orange carrots, yellow peppers, green lettuce, blue blueberries, and purple eggplants.

Activity Idea: Use our free Rainbow Garden worksheet to have children draw or write the name of a plant for each color. Challenge them to think of more options than just the examples provided!

Fun Science: How Plants Grow

Gardening is packed with natural science lessons. Talk about the life cycle of a plant—from seed to sprout to flower to fruit. Let kids track their plants’ growth with our free Garden Observation Sheets, perfect for ages 4-12.

Activity Idea: Start a “plant journal” where children record weather conditions, measure growth, and sketch what they observe each week.

Young child and adult exploring worms together in a garden bed.

Worm Watching: Nature’s Garden Helpers

Introduce kids to worms and the magic they do underground! Worms help aerate the soil and break down organic matter to create rich, fertile dirt.

Activity Idea: After a rainy day, go on a “worm walk” to find worms in the garden. Discuss their important role in helping plants grow.

Colorful kid-friendly fruit and veggie snacks displayed in fun shapes like rainbows, caterpillars, and flowers.

Taste the Garden: Healthy Eating Fun

Kids are more likely to try new fruits and vegetables when they’ve grown them themselves! Create simple, healthy recipes using their harvest.

Snack Ideas:

  • Rainbow Veggie Skewers: Thread colorful veggies onto skewers and serve with a tasty dip.
  • Healthy Banana Splits: Use bananas, yogurt, and an assortment of fresh fruits like kiwi, pineapple, and apples.
  • Apple Nachos: Thinly slice apples and top with nut butter, grapes, and mini chocolate chips.
  • Cucumber Sandwich Bites: Use cucumber slices with cream cheese or hummus, topped with cherry tomatoes or peppers.

Activity Idea: Host a “garden picnic” where kids pick, prepare, and eat their homegrown snacks.

Story Time (affiliate links)

“Container Gardening for Kids” by Ellen Talmage, featuring colorful illustrations of vegetables, flowers, and creative plant containers, designed to teach kids about growing plants in small spaces.

Container Gardening for Kids by Ellen Talmage

Reading Level: Ages 7 to 12 yrs old This book is bursting with creative and unique ideas for turning all kinds of containers into mini gardens—some you can even make yourself! From boots to buckets, it encourages kids to think outside the (plant) box.

Not only does it inspire creativity, it also teaches important plant care tips. Your young gardener will learn why it’s important to avoid overcrowding, how to divide plants into new containers, and—even cooler—how trimming the roots can actually help a plant stay healthy and stress-free. (Yes, I even learned something new too!)

This book is a great guide for kids who want to get their hands dirty and show off their green thumbs in fun, personal ways. Let the container garden adventures begin!

Errol’s Garden by Gillian Hibbs

Reading Level: Birth to 8 yrs old Errol’s Garden is a charming picture book that celebrates the love of gardening—even in unexpected places. Errol dreams of growing plants, but living in an apartment doesn’t offer many options. That is, until he discovers the rooftop! Follow along as Errol and his neighbors come together to create a beautiful rooftop garden, proving that community and creativity can help gardens grow anywhere.

Growing Vegetables by Tracy Nelson Mauer

Reading Level: Ages 7 to 12 I discovered this gem at my local library. It’s perfect for young gardeners! This book is packed with practical, age-appropriate information on how to plan, plant, and harvest your very own vegetable garden. It covers everything from choosing the right location and tools to understanding when to water, weed, and pick your produce. While I wasn’t able to find this book on Amazon at the time of writing, I highly recommend checking your local library or school collection. It’s a fantastic resource to pair with garden activities and outdoor science lessons!

Cover of the children’s book “Ready, Set, Grow!” by DK Books, featuring a smiling sunflower face and subtitle “Quick and Easy Gardening Projects,” designed to teach kids simple, hands-on gardening activities.

Ready, Set, Grow! – Quick and Easy Gardening Projects by Deborah Lock (DK Books)

Reading Level: Ages 7 to 11 DK Books never disappoint—and Ready, Set, Grow! is no exception! This colorful, photo-packed gem is perfect for young gardeners who are ready to dig in. Before planting a single seed, kids will learn to think like a garden pro: How much space do you have? Is it sunny or shady? The book covers it all!

From clever ideas for quirky containers to super cute DIY garden decorations, this book makes gardening both practical and playful. Kids will also discover which insects are garden heroes (hello, ladybugs!) and which ones might cause trouble. There’s a garden full of information inside these pages—and it’s all presented in a way that’s fun, easy to understand, and sure to grow confidence.

Whether you have a backyard plot or just a sunny windowsill, this book will help your young gardener bloom! 

“Secrets of the Vegetable Garden: A Shine-a-Light Book” by Carron Brown and Giordano Poloni, featuring colorful illustrations of garden plants, animals, and a watering can, with a flashlight icon showing how to reveal hidden images through light.

Secrets of the Vegetable Garden (A Shine-A-Light Book) by Carron Brown & Giordano Poloni

Reading Level: Ages 2 to 8 Secrets of the Vegetable Garden is part of the delightful Shine-A-Light series, and it’s both magically entertaining and educational. I own this one along with Secrets of the Seashore, and my grandchildren absolutely love them!

In this interactive book, young readers are asked engaging questions like, “What three things does a seed need to grow?” and “What’s growing in the pods?” The fun twist? To reveal the hidden answers, you shine a flashlight behind the page in a dim room—it’s like discovering secret worlds hidden in the illustrations!

This book teaches real facts about gardening and the wildlife you might encounter, all through a hands-on, visually exciting experience. It’s a wonderful way to spark curiosity and learning through play.

Tiny Green Thumbs by C.Z. Guest

Reading Level: Ages 3 to 9 Tiny Green Thumbs is a sweet and educational story about a little bunny with a big dream—growing his own garden. With the loving guidance of his wise grandmother, Granny Bun, Tiny Bun learns all the steps it takes to grow something from the ground up. The book blends a heartwarming storyline with practical gardening tips, making it both entertaining and informative. Join Tiny Bun and Granny Bun as they dig, plant, and grow their way to a garden full of joy and learning!

Free Printables to Grow and Learn

Don’t forget to grab your free Garden Observation Sheets and Rainbow Garden Worksheet! These tools help make your garden adventure even more educational and fun.

Wrap-Up: Grow, Learn, and Laugh Together

Gardening with kids builds skills, sparks curiosity, and promotes healthy living. It’s a fun way to connect with nature—and each other! Whether you’re growing a few pots of herbs or a full backyard farm, these gardening activities for kids will plant seeds of wonder that last a lifetime.

Show Off Your Green Thumb in Style!

I’ve created two fun gardening-themed T-shirt designs that are perfect for kids, families, and anyone who loves to dig in the dirt! You can find them in my storefront, Mama Carmody’s Corner Store, available on TeePublic, TeeSpring, and RedBubble.

Each platform offers different items and runs unique sales, so be sure to check them all out for the best deals and product options!

Shop Now:

Look for my designs “I Dig Dirt – Little Gardener in Training” and “Grow Your Own Greatness – Roots, Rain and a Little Grit” — great for garden-loving kiddos and grownups alike.

This cute kids gardening shirt is perfect for little ones who love outdoor play, planting vegetables, and learning in nature.
“Grow Your Own Greatness – Roots, Rain and a Little Grit.” Perfect for garden lovers of all ages.

Filed Under: Gardening Tagged With: educational activities, family friendly, family friendly activities, free printable, fun learning, gardening, gardening with children, gardening with kids, love to laugh and learn, Mama Carmody, vegetable gardening with kids

Zombie Zapper Brain Boost Smoothie

October 15, 2023 by Mama Carmody Leave a Comment

Zombie Zapper Brain Boost Smoothie

Zombie Zapper Brain Boost Smoothie: A Grandkids’ Creation for Zombie-Proof Brains!

Hey there, fellow smoothie enthusiasts! Today, I have a special treat for you – a delicious concoction that not only tantalizes your taste buds but also promises to fortify your brain against a zombie invasion. Yes, you read that right! Introducing the “Zombie Zapper Brain Boost Smoothie” – a wholesome creation dreamed up by my grandkids and me.

With its vibrant colors and a taste that screams “healthy indulgence,” the Zombie Zapper Brain Boost Smoothie is the perfect way to start your day. Whether you’re a kid or just a kid at heart, this brain-boosting blend will tickle your taste buds and get your mental gears turning.

Our Inspiration

Whipping up this Zombie Zapper Brain Boost Smoothie was an adventure inspired by my grandkids’ homeschool curriculum. Thanks to “Nutrition 101: Choose Life!“* (paid link), a book that taught them the best foods for extra brainpower, we’ve concocted a smoothie that not only nourishes your noggin but also fortifies it against any zombie invasion. Remember, a strong brain is your best defense against the undead – sip up and stay sharp, my friends!

Let’s dive into the secret recipe that will make you zombie-proof!

Click the photo to get a pdf of the Zombie Zapper Brain Boost Smoothie recipe.
Click the photo to get your
pdf copy of the recipe.

Ingredients:

The Green Defender – Spinach (1 cup)

Our first line of defense comes from this leafy green powerhouse. Spinach is packed with essential nutrients, like iron, vitamin K, and folate, which will help you stay sharp and focused.

 Powerful Pineapple – Fresh or Frozen (1 cup)

These sweet chunks are like little bursts of sunshine in your smoothie. They’re your trusty pineapple grenades, exploding with tropical flavor to keep those zombies at bay.

Raw Locally Sourced Energy Boosting Honey (2 tablespoons)

The natural sugars in honey provide a quick energy boost to aid in the defeat of zombies.

Bone Strengthening Vanilla Greek Yogurt (½ cup)

Greek yogurt contains calcium, which is essential for maintaining strong bones and is essential for proper nerve cell communication. This is particularly important when battling zombies.

The Zesty Zing – One Whole Juice Orange

With a citrusy punch, the orange adds a burst of vitamin C to our smoothie. It’s like a shield against the zombie’s toxins! Don’t worry if you get a seed or two, they are nutritious too.

 Lively Lime Juice (1 tablespoon)

The lime juice is your trusty sidekick, adding extra Vitamin C and a dash of zesty zing that’s like a swift kick to the undead taste buds. It’s the secret weapon to keep your smoothie sharp and zesty, just like your survival skills.

Avenging Avocado (¼ of small, soft one)

It’s a must to add this sheath building ingredient to strengthen the protective layer around the nerves in your brain. The avocado provides the smoothie with its creamy texture. It’s the green guardian of your blend, ensuring your smoothie is thick and satisfying, just like your triumph over the zombie menace.

A sprinkle of Zombie-Freezing Ice Cubes (for that chilling effect)

Instructions:

1. Load all the ingredients into a blender.

2. Blend until smooth and creamy, like a super-secret concoction for brainpower.

3. Pour your Zombie Zapper Smoothie into your favorite glass.

4. Sip, savor, and let the brain-boosting magic begin!

Have Fun

This smoothie is not just about its nutrients; it’s about the experience of creating something special with your grandkids. Together, we dreamt up this fantastic concoction, and every sip brings a smile to our faces, knowing we’ve crafted a delicious weapon against the zombie apocalypse.

So, why not give the Zombie Zapper Brain Boost Smoothie a try? Make it a fun family project, sip together, and maybe even create a game of zombie tag in the backyard. Who says staying healthy can’t be an adventure?

Remember, it’s not just about sipping a smoothie; it’s about sharing a bond with your loved ones and preparing for the unexpected, one delicious gulp at a time. Stay safe, stay healthy, and may your brains be forever zombie-proof with the Zombie Zapper Brain Boost Smoothie! 

Zombie Zapper Brain Boost Smoothie, Final Taste Test

*Disclosure: As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases.

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Filed Under: Autumn/Fall, Halloween, Holidays, Uncategorized Tagged With: brain boost, brain boost smoothie, brain health, brain nutrition, educational activities, family friendly, family friendly activities, fun learning, Halloween, halloween smoothie, learning fun, love to laugh and learn, Mama Carmody, nutrition, smoothie, zombie

Learning Fun at Disney: Manners

May 23, 2023 by Mama Carmody Leave a Comment

I think learning should be fun. I can’t think of a more delightful place to learn than Disney!

Manners

Today, we are going to tackle manners. Using good manners is such an important attribute. Your child will have many opportunities to use their manners and to see manners exhibited while at Disney.

Please and Thank You

The first, in my book, is the simple, “please” and “thank you”. The cast members work hard and sometimes in less-than-ideal situations. It can be really hot or stormy and the cast members still have to be there to care for you. A simple thank you can add some joy to their day.

There will be many opportunities, during the day, to use your manners. One of my favorite times is mealtime. 

     “Will you please pass the salt?”

     “Thank you for letting me get dessert.”

My family came from the south. We were taught to throw in a “please” or “thank you” when answering a question.

     “Would you like tomatoes on your salad?”

          “No, thank you.”

 “Would you like ice cream for dessert?”

          “Yes, please.”

The Napkin

Another manner, that is not so widely practiced, is the placing of your napkin. If it’s a restaurant with cloth napkins, we place them in our laps. 

Did you know you can send a secret message to your server by where you place your napkin? (Of course, that is, if your server knows the code.) If you leave the table, but will be returning, place your napkin on your chair.

When you are totally finished with your meal, place your napkin on the table next to your plate. This lets the server know they can start taking away your dirty dishes and bring you the bill. 

I hope this post on manners has been fun and has given you some ideas of how to use them. What other manners might you use, while on your trip? Don’t forget to continue using them when you get home.

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Ready to Plan Your Disney Trip?

We always have great family time and make special memories when we travel to Disney. Click here to purchase tickets and start making your special trip plans.

Filed Under: Attractions and Events, Learning Activities Tagged With: Disney, love to laugh and learn, Mama Carmody, manners, napkin, please, thank you

Mama Carmody and “Love to Laugh and Learn” are Relocating

November 4, 2015 by Mama Carmody 18 Comments

Mama Carmody and “Love to Laugh and Learn” are Relocating

Mama Carmody and “Love to Laugh and Learn” are relocating, from Indiana, to Texas next week. I’m sorry that my posts have been erratic this year but I have had a lot going on.

Mama Carmody is Relocating: Texas Bound
Mama Carmody is Relocating: Texas Bound

My daughter and grandson came to Indiana for an extended period of time, starting this past May. My son-in-law serves in the army and has been deployed for several months. From the time my grandson was born I have tried to convince myself that I could be a long distance grandparent. I grew up in Indiana and my grandparents lived in Florida and West Virginia and I loved them dearly. I knew I could have a good relationship with my grandson, even with the distance…a lot of grandparents do. Then my daughter found out she was pregnant with my second grandchild. After spending several months with my grandson and daughter, then finding out I have a granddaughter on the way, I knew I didn’t want to be a long distant grandparent. So my husband and I have made the decision to head to Texas.

I will still be blogging, it just may take a little bit for us to get settled. As I stated in my very first post, “Learning Should Be Fun”, I have wanted to share fun learning activities and family friendly events to enjoy with your family. Now I will be able to continue with one of my original visions. I will be adding Family Friendly Events for the Killeen/Fort Hood/Austin area. I plan to continue to post the Indianapolis Family Friendly Events too, so don’t anyone give up on me.

I will also continue to add different learning activities for your family’s enjoyment. I look forward to this new adventure and am glad to have you along for the ride.

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Filed Under: Articles Tagged With: granddaughter, grandparent, grandson, Indiana, Learning Should Be Fun, love to laugh, love to laugh and learn, Mama Carmody, relocating, Texas

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