Growing Basil With Kids | A Simple Montessori-Inspired Gardening Activity

Grow basil with kids using this simple Montessori-inspired gardening activity. Learn how planting seeds builds practical life skills, patience, and care.

There is something special about watching a tiny seed turn into a living plant. For children, gardening makes this process wonderfully concrete: they can touch the soil, plant a seed, observe the first sprout, and eventually enjoy something they helped grow.

This basil-growing activity began with a handful of seeds we purchased in Switzerland during our Europe trip in 2011. After being stored for five years, the seeds still germinated! Within about a week of planting, we could already see tiny basil seedlings emerging from the soil.

Why Gardening Is a Wonderful Activity for Children:

Gardening gives children an opportunity to participate in a real-life process from beginning to end. Rather than simply learning that “plants need water and sunlight,” children can experience it for themselves. They can plant a seed, observe changes over several days, water the soil, notice new leaves, and eventually harvest the plant. This makes gardening especially compatible with Montessori principles. Montessori education emphasizes hands-on experiences, purposeful activity, independence, and caring for the environment. A child who participates in caring for a real plant is doing meaningful work—not simply completing an activity designed for entertainment. Gardening can also naturally encourage:

• Fine motor skills through handling seeds and small gardening tools
• Hand-eye coordination while planting and watering
• Observation skills as children notice changes in the plant
• Concentration while completing each step
• Patience because plants do not grow instantly
• Responsibility through regular plant care
• Practical life skills through watering, transferring, and caring for living things
• Connection to nature through direct interaction with the natural world

The goal does not need to be a perfect crop. The process itself provides plenty of learning.

about 2 weeks after planing the seeds

*The sprouts are still very vulnerable to any temperature change, so they have to stay indoors inside the “green-house” (under a plastic cover).

Growing Basil With Kids Materials & Supplies Needed:

You only need a few simple supplies:

• Basil seeds
• Small containers or seed-starting pots
• Potting soil
• Water
• A small watering can or cup
• A warm, sunny location

If you are growing basil from seed with a young child, choose a container that is easy for the child to handle. A small pot can make the experience feel manageable and gives the child a clear responsibility. For younger toddlers, you may want to handle the smaller materials while allowing your child to participate in the larger movements, such as scooping soil and watering.

How to Grow Basil With Children ~ Step-By-Step Instructions:

1. Prepare the Soil

First, fill a small pot or container with potting soil. Invite your child to help scoop the soil into the container. This simple step provides an opportunity to practice controlled movements while participating in a real household task.You can talk about what the soil feels like without turning the activity into a formal lesson.

“The soil feels dry. Let’s see what happens when we add water.”

Allowing children to observe and describe what they notice keeps the experience engaging without making it feel like a worksheet or lesson.

2. Plant the Basil Seeds

Then, place the basil seeds into the soil according to the directions on your seed packet.

Basil seeds are very small, so this can be a good opportunity for children to practice careful, deliberate movements. Younger children may need help, while older preschoolers can often participate more independently. Once the seeds are planted, gently cover them with soil if required by the seed packet.

3. Water the Seeds

Next, give the soil a gentle watering. This is one of those seemingly simple steps that can become a valuable practical life activity. Children learn that plants need care, but they also begin to learn that more is not always better. The goal is to keep the soil appropriately moist rather than soaking it. A small watering can may give a child more control than a large container.

4. Create a Warm Growing Environment

When our basil seedlings were very young, they were especially vulnerable to temperature changes, so we kept them indoors under a plastic cover to create a small greenhouse-like environment. If you create a covered growing environment, make sure there is appropriate ventilation and follow the growing requirements for your particular seeds. Avoid placing a covered container somewhere it could become excessively hot. For a child, this stage is also a wonderful opportunity to introduce the idea that different plants have different needs.

5. Observe the Seedlings

Within about one week, we could already see little basil seedlings emerging.

This is where gardening becomes particularly exciting for children.

A seed that seemed to be doing nothing suddenly changes.

Encourage your child to look closely each day without needing to touch the plant. You might ask:

• “What changed since yesterday?”
• “Can you see any new leaves?”
• “Is the stem getting taller?”
• “What color are the leaves?”
• “Does the soil feel dry or damp?”

You don’t need to provide all the answers. Observation is part of the learning.

6. Handle the Seedlings Gently

One of my favorite memories from this activity was watching Adrian interact with the tiny basil sprouts. He was so gentle with the little plants, carefully “feeling” them with the lightest touch.

Young children are naturally curious and may want to touch everything they see. Instead of simply saying, “Don’t touch,” gardening provides an opportunity to teach how to touch something fragile.

You can demonstrate using one finger and a very light touch or explain that the seedlings are delicate and need gentle hands. This turns curiosity into an opportunity to practice self-control and respect for living things.

When Is It Time to Replant Basil Seedlings?

As the seedlings grow, they may eventually need more room.

When the plants have developed enough to handle safely and are outgrowing their original container, you can transfer them into a larger pot or their growing location.

For children, transplanting can be another practical life activity. An older preschooler can help scoop soil, make space for the plant, gently place it into the new container, and water it afterward.

Young toddlers will likely need much more adult assistance. There is no need to rush this process. Let the plant’s growth and the seed packet’s growing instructions guide you.

Adrian is so gentle with the little basil sprouts. He is “feeling” them so lightly … 

What Children Learn From Growing Basil:

One of the beautiful things about gardening is that the learning happens naturally.

Patience

Children cannot make a seed grow faster simply because they want to see the result.

They have to wait. That waiting period can be valuable. Children learn that some things happen gradually and that caring for something does not always produce an immediate reward.

Observation

A child who checks the plant regularly begins noticing subtle changes.

The stem becomes taller. New leaves appear. The plant becomes fuller.

These small changes encourage children to slow down and pay attention.

Responsibility

A plant provides a real reason to practice responsibility. The child can help remember to check the soil, water the plant when needed, and handle the leaves gently. The responsibility should be appropriate to the child’s age. A toddler might help carry a small watering can with an adult nearby, while an older preschooler may be able to take on more of the routine.

Care for the Environment

Montessori education places an emphasis on caring for the environment. Gardening offers a very concrete way for children to practice this idea. The environment isn’t an abstract concept. It is the soil, the plant, the water, the sunlight, and the small living thing in front of them.

Gardening With Different Ages

Toddlers

Toddlers can participate in simple parts of the gardening process, such as:

• Scooping soil
• Carrying a small watering container
• Watching the seeds sprout
• Smelling basil leaves
• Helping wipe up spilled soil or water

At this age, keep the activity simple and highly supervised.

Preschoolers

Preschool-aged children can take a more active role.

They may be able to:

• Help plant seeds
• Water the plant
• Observe growth
• Compare seedlings
• Draw pictures of the plant
• Help transplant seedlings
• Harvest basil with an adult

You can also introduce simple vocabulary such as seed, root, stem, leaf, sprout, soil, water, sunlight, and grow.

Older Preschoolers and Early Primary Children

Older children can take the observation further. Invite them to keep a simple plant journal. They can draw the basil at different stages of growth, measure the plant, or record when new leaves appear. This transforms the gardening experience into an informal science investigation while keeping the hands-on element intact.

time to replant

Common Mistakes to Avoid:

Don’t Overwater

Children may understandably want to water their plant frequently. However, more water does not necessarily mean faster growth. Help your child check the soil before watering rather than automatically watering on a schedule.

Don’t Expect Perfect Results

Not every seed will germinate, and not every seedling will survive. That is part of gardening.

In our case, not many of the seedlings survived all the way through—but a few did, and we were eventually able to enjoy the crop. The experience is still worthwhile even when the result isn’t perfect.

Don’t Take Over

It can be tempting to step in and do everything yourself, especially when working with tiny seeds and delicate seedlings. But whenever it is safe and practical, allow your child to participate.

The spilled soil, imperfect watering, and slower movements are part of the learning process.

Safety Tips

Gardening with young children should always be supervised.

Keep small seeds and gardening materials away from children who are still putting objects in their mouths. Choose child-appropriate tools, avoid sharp equipment, and supervise children around soil, water, and plant materials.

If you plan to let your child taste the basil, make sure the plant is an edible variety and that it has been grown and handled appropriately for consumption.

Most importantly, teach children that they should never eat an unfamiliar plant, seed, leaf, or berry without an adult confirming that it is safe.

Frequently Asked Questions:

What age can children start gardening?

Children can participate in gardening from a very young age when activities are adapted to their developmental abilities. Toddlers can help with simple tasks such as scooping soil and watering, while preschoolers can participate more independently.

How long does basil take to grow from seed?

Basil seeds can germinate relatively quickly under suitable growing conditions, although the exact timing depends on factors such as temperature, moisture, light, and the seed variety. In our experience, we could see tiny seedlings within about a week.

Can you grow basil indoors with children?

Yes. Basil can be grown indoors in an appropriate container with suitable growing conditions. Indoor gardening can be especially convenient for young children because the plant is easy to observe and care for.

Is growing plants a Montessori activity?

Gardening is not a traditional Montessori material in the same way as a Montessori Sensorial or Practical Life material, but caring for plants and the environment aligns naturally with Montessori principles. Children can participate in purposeful, hands-on work while developing independence, concentration, coordination, and care for living things.

What should children learn from growing plants?

Growing plants can help children develop practical life skills, observation, patience, responsibility, fine motor coordination, and an understanding of basic plant needs. The experience can also encourage curiosity about nature and the natural world.

What if the seedlings don’t survive?

That’s okay. Gardening doesn’t always go according to plan. Children can learn from observing what happened, trying again, and understanding that living things require specific conditions to grow.

Finally, we are able to enjoy the crop – not a lot of seedlings survived, but few did!

A Simple Seed-to-Plant Experience:

What I love most about growing basil with children is that it doesn’t need to be complicated.

There is no elaborate setup and no need to turn it into a formal science lesson. A handful of seeds, some soil, water, and a little patience can give a child weeks of meaningful experiences. From the first tiny sprout to the moment you harvest the leaves, your child gets to witness a complete cycle of care and growth. And sometimes, the most meaningful part isn’t the basil we eventually harvest. It is watching a child slow down, become gentle, pay attention, and discover that something so small can become something they can actually nurture and enjoy.

Summary:

Growing basil with children is a simple, hands-on way to introduce young learners to nature, practical life skills, and the joy of caring for something living. From planting tiny seeds and watering the soil to watching the first sprouts appear and eventually harvesting basil, children experience patience, observation, responsibility, and gentle care in a meaningful, real-life setting.

This Montessori-inspired gardening activity can be adapted for toddlers, preschoolers, and older children, making it a wonderful screen-free learning experience. Best of all, children don’t need a perfect garden or a successful harvest to benefit—the process of nurturing a seed and watching it grow offers valuable opportunities for curiosity, concentration, independence, and connection with the natural world.

For More Montessori-Inspired Gardening Activities,

Click Here.

---

Want More Hands-On Ideas Like This?

Sign up for the Monthly Kids Activities Plan (MKAP) and receive themed activities, printables, and video tutorials each month—so you can spend less time searching and more time playing!

Click here to learn more about MKAP.

Disclosure: As an affiliate, I may earn a commission or credit should you choose to purchase something, but there is no additional cost to you. I only share products and programs that I use and love!

RECENT BLOG POSTS