Screen-free fun! DIY garden projects for kids and teens

Looking for ways to get the youngsters off their screens and outdoors? A few fun garden activities for kids might just do the trick!

Gardening is a great way for kids and teens to get their hands dirty, be creative, learn new skills and take responsibility for something of their own. Plus, it’s a chance to spend some quality time together in the fresh air (without anyone asking for the Wi-Fi password!).

From growing their own vegies to getting stuck into a little DIY, we’ve got seven easy small garden projects to keep younger hands busy during the school holidays – even in bijou backyards, balconies and courtyards. Ready to dig in?

Explore categories:

• Pots & Planters
• Vegie Trainers
• Plant Trainers
• Raised Beds
• Garden Edging
• Garden & Privacy Screens
• Matrix Ground Panels

A few safety tips before you dig in!

Before the kids or teens get stuck in, make sure they’re dressed for the job with gloves, enclosed shoes, a hat and sunscreen. Keep them hydrated, choose age-appropriate tools and have adults do any cutting or heavy lifting. Younger kids will need more supervision, but even teens may need a helping hand.

Starting a herb garden for kids is a fun way to introduce youngsters to growing their own edibles. There’s something satisfying about taking food straight from the garden to your plate, and herbs are one of the easiest ways to get started.

Pick laid-back herbs like basil, parsley, chives and mint. Basil and chives love a warm sunny spot, while parsley, chives and mint can handle a bit of shade. Just keep mint in its own pot, or it will take over – it grows quickly!

Jack product picks

Pots & Planters – Herbs grow well in pots, don’t need much space, and containers can be moved around to catch the sun (or taken with you if you move). Plus, they’re perfect for little hands. Check out our Garden Up Rail Planters!

How to get started

• Step 1: Grab your supplies – Head to the store for planters (with drainage holes), potting mix, herb seedlings, and a watering can.
• Step 2: Get their hands dirty – Let the kids fill the planter, plant the herbs and gently push down the dirt with their fingers.
• Step 3: Hang or position – Pop the pot in a spot with the perfect amount of sun or shade for the herbs you pick.
• Step 4: Give them a drink – Water well after planting, then check the soil daily. Sprinkle again when the top 2 cm feels dry.
• Step 5: Watch them grow – Let the kids harvest a few leaves once the plants are growing well.

Want to grow something a bit bigger? Climbing beans and cucumbers are a fun project for kids who love growing their own food. These speedy climbers quickly turn a few seeds or seedlings into a leafy tower of homegrown vegies!

And there’s plenty to keep young green thumbs busy, from setting up the supports to guiding the vines to climb and picking their own harvest!

Jack product picks

Vegie Trainers and Plant Trainers – Give climbing vegies a helping hand with our easy-to-use trainers. We have heaps of different shapes and designs. Or stick to simple Garden Stakes. And don’t forget Plant Ties to support growing stems!

How to get started

• Step 1: Pick your spot – Help the kids find a sunny spot in the garden or a large planter with room for climbers to grow.
• Step 2: Get planting – Get them to plant their bean or cucumber seeds or seedlings in quality soil or potting mix – follow packet instructions.
• Step 3: Set up your supports – Help them securely install the vegie trainers or stakes ready for plants to climb.
• Step 4: Train your climbers – Show them how to gently guide shooting stems into the supports, using soft plant ties. Tell them not to tie too tightly!
• Step 5: Watch and harvest – Encourage the kids to check on their plants, water often and look out for flowers and growing vegies. Picking is the best part!

Looking for kids’ vegetable garden ideas? A raised vegie bed is the perfect project for the whole family to dig into. It’s a bit more involved than a mini herb garden or simple planting project, making it a weekend or holiday project to tackle together.

Get the kids involved in choosing what to grow, planning where everything will go and getting their hands dirty. Dwarf cherry tomatoes, crunchy radishes, spring onions and baby carrots are all fun options. The kids will love watching the tommies ripen and pulling the veg from the soil!

Jack product picks

Raised Garden Beds – Our raised beds are easy to set up and come in different compact designs. And they’re made from hardy materials to handle our Aussie weather, so you can keep growing year after year!

How to get started

• Step 1: Find the perfect spot – Help the kids choose a level spot that gets plenty of sunshine and is easy to reach for watering and harvesting.
• Step 2: Build your bed – Set up your raised bed following the product instructions. Leave any fiddly bits to the adults.
• Step 3: Fill it up – Shovel in quality soil mix made for raised vegie beds and get the kids to help spread it evenly.
• Step 4: Plan and plant – Let them choose their own crops and decide where to plant them, leaving enough room for them to grow.
• Step 5: Keep it growing – Give everything a good soaking, then encourage the kids to water, weed and check for growth!

There’s something pretty magical about watching butterflies flutter between blooms and bees buzzing around the garden. And kids love watching these flying mini beasts in action!

Creating a little pollinator paradise is a fun way to get kids interested in nature, while teaching them about the important role bees, butterflies and other insects play in keeping our gardens healthy. You don’t need a large backyard either. A few colourful flowering plants in pots can help attract these busy visitors.

Jack product picks

Pots & Planters – From our freestanding planters and pots to our Garden Up wall range, there are heaps of ways you can create a welcoming corner for flying pollinators. Three to five pots is a good starting point.

How to get started

• Step 1: Pick your spot – Help the kids choose a sunny, sheltered corner of the garden, balcony or courtyard.
• Step 2: Choose your blooms – Get the kids involved in picking nectar-rich flowers, such as lavender, salvia, daisies and local native flowering plants.
• Step 3: Get planting – Show them how to fill their pots with some quality potting mix, plant their flowers and give them a soaking.
• Step 4: Add a little habitat – Include a shallow dish of water with pebbles for insects to land on – it can double as a bird bath (but change often to keep mozzies away!). Plus, leave a few twigs or natural materials nearby for shelter.
• Step 5: Watch the visitors arrive – Encourage the kids to observe which insects visit, count the different types and learn what they’re doing.

Creating a vertical living wall is a great project for older children and teens who want to get creative this summer – and have the height to help with hanging! Plus, it’s the perfect excuse for spending more time together.

They might have spotted these lush, living features on shows like The Block. Now it’s their turn to play garden designer. Let them choose their plants, pots, colours, and layout to transform a boring wall or fence. Will they go for a colourful tropical vibe or a cascading curtain of green?

Jack product picks

Garden Up range – Garden Up is the perfect vertical gardening solution. With mix ‘n’ match pots in different shapes, colours and sizes, plus easy-to-install wire grids and hooks, this range is awesome for personalising garden projects!

How to get started

• Step 1: Pick your spot – Help them find a wall or fence that needs some love and check how much sun or shade it gets.
• Step 2: Start designing – Get your tweens or teens to pick plants that suit the spot, as well as the pots, then let them experiment with different layouts before installation.
• Step 3: Set up your wall – Help them securely install the wire grids or hooks following the product instructions. Or do it for them if needed.
• Step 4: Get planting – Let them fill their pots with quality potting mix, add their plants and gently firm the soil.
• Step 5: Hang and admire – Help them hook the pots into place, give the plants a good drink and watch their living wall come to life!

Got a garden path that’s looking a little worse for wear? Or lawn edges that have started talking over beds? If you’re looking for practical garden activities for teens, a little edging or path makeover could be just the job!

Give them a section of the garden to tackle, help them plan the makeover and let them enjoy the satisfaction of seeing the before and after. If that’s not reward enough, a little cash for their hard work might help encourage them!

Jack product picks

Garden Edging – From simple borders and decorative Matrix patterns to rust-look Oxy-Shield® steel and classic picket styles, there’s an edging option to suit every garden and style. Let the teens help you pick.

How to get started

• Step 1: Pick your project – Help your teen choose a small garden bed or pathway that needs some love.
• Step 2: Clear the way – Get them to pull out weeds, remove fallen leaves and clear away any debris.
• Step 3: Plan your edges – Work together to decide where the edging will go and mark out the border with string.
• Step 4: Install the edging – Help them fit and secure the garden edging (follow the instructions). Consider their age if you’re using sharp tools or cutting.
• Step 5: Add the finishing touches – Get them to spread mulch around the plants or top up the path with decorative pebbles for a fresh new look.

This is one the teens are very likely to be on board with – a little space they can escape to outdoors for some downtime. A quiet corner of your yard, a small patio or even a balcony can become a spot for chilling, listening to music or catching up with mates.

Let your teen take the lead on the look and feel. Whether they’re into a relaxed coastal vibe, something colourful or a more minimalist style, it’s a chance to put their own stamp on the space.

Jack product picks

Garden & Privacy Screens, Pots & Planters, Matrix Ground Panels – These products all provide a great base. Let your teen browse our ranges and pick what they like – within budget, of course! There are heaps of options – and many are super easy to set up.

How to get started

• Step 1: Find their corner – Help your teen choose a suitable spot with enough room for a chair or small seating area.
• Step 2: Lay the groundwork – Get them to tidy up the area, then help them lay ground panels to define the space and create a neat, stable base.
• Step 3: Create some privacy – Work together to install a suitable screen or arrange planters so they feel more hidden away.
• Step 4: Add some greenery – Let them choose and pot up a few plants to soften the space and make it feel more inviting.
• Step 5: Make it their own – Give them the freedom to add cushions, a small rug, a side table and some solar-powered lights for the finishing touches.

What are easy garden projects for kids?

Easy DIY garden projects for kids include planting herbs, strawberries and leafy greens in pots, creating a butterfly and bee garden or starting a mini vegie patch in a Raised Bed. Pick simple, hands-on activities with plenty of opportunities to get involved and watch things grow!

What garden activities are suitable for teenagers?

Teenagers can tackle more involved garden DIY projects – if you can entice them outside! This includes installing Garden Edging, building a Raised Bed or designing their own outdoor chillout corner. Give them some creative freedom and help with anything too tricky.

Can kids grow vegetables in a small garden space?

Yes! You don’t need a big backyard to grow your own vegies. Cherry tomatoes, lettuce, radishes, baby carrots, spring onions, and more can all grow in pots or planters. Vertical gardens (check out Garden Up®) and compact Raised Beds are also great ways to make the most of limited space and keep the kids occupied.

What are the best plants for kids to grow in pots?

Strawberries, herbs, compact cherry tomatoes and leafy greens are great choices for kids training their green thumbs. They’re relatively easy to grow in pots, and youngsters can have fun harvesting and eating their own homegrown goods.

How can I make gardening fun for kids?

For super fun backyard activities for kids, give them their own little patch or planter to look after and let them choose what to grow. Try plant-growing competitions, filling herb or flower pots, nature spotting or a little garden design. The more involved they are, the more likely they’ll stay interested!

Ready to get the youngsters loving the outdoors, while learning a few things about nature and DIY?

For easy backyard projects, browse our Landscaping & Garden Design range, pick your favourite products, and head to your local Jack supplier to grab them.

Kids done good with their gardening activities? Why not share some snaps of your outdoor garden space on socials, tagging @meetdiyjack? We’d love to see how the next generation of green and handy thumbs have got on – and might give them a shout-out!

After some more outdoor inspiration? Check out these other helpful resources:

• Create a beautiful space-saving balcony garden
• New year, better backyard: easy summer gardening ideas