Gardening with kids can be a fun and educational activity that gets them excited about healthy eating. Spinach is a great crop for children to grow because it’s fast-growing, easy to plant, and versatile in the kitchen. By involving kids in every step of the process—from planting the seeds to harvesting and eating their own spinach—you can turn this nutritious green into something they’ll be eager to eat!
1. Start with Fun, Hands-On Planting
Kids love getting their hands dirty, so the best way to get them excited about spinach is to let them help with planting the seeds. Spinach seeds are easy for little hands to handle, and because the plant is fast-growing, kids won’t have to wait long to see the results of their efforts.
Let your children choose a small plot in the garden or provide them with their own pots to grow spinach in. You can even decorate the containers together, which adds a creative touch and makes them feel responsible for their plants. Labeling each pot with their names or a fun title, like “Super Spinach Garden,” can make it feel even more personal.
Fun Tip:
Encourage your kids to plant different spinach varieties (like Bloomsdale or Baby’s Leaf) to see which grows fastest or has the biggest leaves. Turn it into a friendly competition to keep things fun!
2. Create a Spinach Growth Chart
Since spinach grows quickly, kids will love tracking its progress. Create a “Spinach Growth Chart” where they can record how tall the plants are each week or how many leaves have sprouted. This visual aid helps children understand the growth process and builds anticipation for when they’ll finally get to harvest and eat their spinach.
In addition to tracking height, you can teach kids how to recognize when the spinach is ready to harvest by showing them the size and color of mature leaves.
Pro Tip:
Use colorful stickers or drawings on the chart to mark milestones like “First Sprout” or “Time to Harvest!” This makes the gardening process feel rewarding and engaging for kids.
3. Turn Harvest Time into a Celebration
Kids love being part of the action, and harvest time is the perfect opportunity to get them involved. Encourage them to pick the outer leaves when the spinach is ready, which is easy for little hands to do. Make harvesting an exciting event by turning it into a “Spinach Party” where they get to gather their own leaves and maybe even wear garden hats or aprons.
By allowing them to participate in the harvest, they’ll feel a sense of accomplishment, which can lead to them being more eager to eat the spinach they worked hard to grow.
Fun Tip:
Create a “Spinach Crown” using harvested spinach leaves or garden flowers. Let kids wear their crowns while preparing the spinach dish together for extra fun!
4. Make Cooking with Spinach Fun
Once the spinach is harvested, get your kids involved in the kitchen. The more they participate in preparing the spinach, the more likely they’ll be excited to eat it. You can start with simple recipes like a spinach salad with kid-friendly toppings (like croutons, cheese, or strawberries) or add spinach to smoothies, so they can see how versatile and tasty their homegrown greens can be.
Let your kids name the recipes, such as “Super Spinach Salad” or “Power Smoothie,” to make it feel special. You can also teach them about the nutrients in spinach and how it’s good for their health, which adds a layer of learning to the experience.
Pro Tip:
Use cookie cutters to make fun shapes out of spinach wraps or sneak spinach into pizza toppings—kids love eating foods that look interesting!
5. Teach the “Spinach Superpowers”
Kids love superheroes, so give spinach a superhero status by teaching them about its health benefits. Explain that spinach is packed with “superpowers” like iron, vitamins, and calcium that help them grow strong, just like their favorite superheroes. By framing spinach as a food that can make them strong and healthy, you’ll create a positive association that might make them more willing to eat it.
You can even create fun characters around the spinach plant—maybe “Captain Spinach” fights off sickness and gives kids energy to play all day. This imaginative approach can make healthy eating more appealing to kids.
Fun Fact:
Tell your kids the story of Popeye, the famous cartoon sailor who gained strength by eating spinach. This classic tale can make spinach seem more exciting to eat!
6. Create a Spinach Garden Journal
Encourage kids to keep a garden journal where they can draw pictures of their spinach plants, write down what they observe as they grow, and make notes about their favorite ways to eat spinach. This creative outlet gives them ownership of the gardening process and helps build a long-term interest in growing food.
A journal is also a great way for kids to reflect on their gardening experience and keep track of their progress over time. It helps them connect with nature and builds a sense of responsibility for their plants.
Pro Tip:
Include spaces in the journal for recipes, harvest dates, and any special notes, like “The first leaf was as big as my hand!”
Key Takeaways for Family-Friendly Gardening
Growing spinach is a fun and educational way to introduce kids to gardening and healthy eating. By involving them in every step—from planting seeds to harvesting and cooking—you can make spinach an exciting crop for children. Hands-on activities, like creating growth charts and hosting spinach-themed parties, help build enthusiasm. Teaching kids about the nutritional “superpowers” of spinach and letting them take ownership of their plants ensures they’re more likely to enjoy both growing and eating their leafy greens.
Learn more in my latest book, Get a Green Thumb: A Beginner’s Guide to: Spinach on Amazon.
