The Best Kid-Friendly Tools That Will Help Your Little Gardener—and Your Plants!—Grow

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There’s a lot for kids to love about gardening. Whether it’s about getting elbow-deep into a pile of dirt, potting plants with the help of a miniature trowel, or hand-picking fresh berries and devouring them before they even make it to the kitchen, there’s no shortage of fun to be had in a backyard garden.

Heck, the simple life cycle of a plant—and the sheer magic of watching a seed, some soil, and sunlight transform into vibrant flowers or fresh herbs—can be awe-inspiring to the littlest gardeners among us.

Helping your little ones earn their green thumbs isn’t just fun and games, however. There are data-backed benefits to childhood gardening, too. Multiple studies have shown that kids who learn to grow their own fruits and vegetables are more likely to want to eat them, and this can eventually make them more adventurous eaters overall. It's also shown that children who garden become more environmentally conscious, and reliably better stewards of the planet.

And although you might not think of your kids as particularly stressed, they do tend to have big emotions with lots going on in their wondrous minds. Gardening has shown to help people decompress, relieving stress, anger, and even sadness. Getting them outside also keeps them active and wears out their little bodies, thereby shuffling them off to a good night's sleep.

Plus, it helps offset your grocery budget! What’s not to love? To help you get your kids out digging in the dirt and growing some yummies, we've researched the highest-quality, best-priced gardening tools for kids that are available right now.

Children's Gardening Tool Set

Designed with little hands in mind, this tiny set comes with mini rakes, a shovel, gloves, a tote, and a watering can. With real wooden handles, each of these tools will last for seasons to come.

Whether your kid is playing make-believe or helping out in your real garden, this will be their go-to set.

More: The Best Inflatable Pools for Kids

Butterfly Growing Kit

No garden thrives without pollinators. This NatGeo butterfly growing kit lets you create your very own pollen-movers while also giving your kids a real-time lesson on metamorphosis. A gardening win-win!

Once you set up your mesh-enclosed habitat, your family can watch up to five caterpillars experience one of nature’s most incredible transformations—they’ll form chrysalises and then emerge as beautiful Painted Lady butterflies right before your eyes.

Kids' and Toddlers' Sunday Afternoons Play Hat

Protect your kiddo's face while they're working away in their garden with this sweet sun hat. It's designed to fit on your tot's head without feeling uncomfortable.

With a UPF 50+ rating, as well as a dual visor and neck veil for overall protection, your child can hang out in the sun without damaging their very delicate skin.

Mosaic Stepping Stone

A clever way to keep your toddlers from traipsing all over your just-planted seedlings? Have them add their creative touch to these paintable stepping stones. Not only will they help any visitors stay on the right parent-approved path, but the finished masterpieces—the mosaic ladybug and sun, in particular—will serve as eye-catching conversation-starters.

Giddy Buggy Tote Set

When you head outdoors to work in your garden, your little one can grab this handy gardening tote to lend you a hand. Complete with miniature tools, the tote can even act as storage at the end of the day.

It could also be used for anything from holding seeds to LEGOs. Thanks to its sturdy construction, your child will have it for a good long time.

My First Garden Kit

Who says that you need a backyard to teach your little one the art of gardening? This all-in-one set comes with everything you'll need to teach your child how to plant their first seeds.

Consisting of everything from a little shovel to a full-rooted starter kit to get your plants growing quickly, your child will easily be able to watch their seeds flourish.

Kids Garden Gloves

Your little one will get a handle on gardening with these mini gripping gloves. Styled with adorable little ladybugs, your kiddo's hands will stay relatively clean while they dig around in the dirt. The grippy texture will keep their tools from sliding or slipping while they plant.

At the end of a long day out in the rose garden, you can pop these gloves in the wash to make them squeaky-clean again.

Children's "My First Garden" Microgreens Grow Box Kit

This DIY microgreens kit makes planting a fun little garden totally possible, no matter where you live. The set comes with everything you'll need to start planting with your tot. You can choose from 13 different microgreens, including pet-safe varieties!

Personalized Gardening Child Apron With Pocket

While your tot is digging around in the vegetable patch with you, this personalized mini chambray gardening apron is a must. With two pockets in the front, your little one can store their tiny tools, gloves, and maybe a few snacks. You could even get one to match!

Seed to Sprout Raised Garden Planter

Perfect for families with limited outdoor space, this raised garden lets first-time gardeners plant their very own flowers, herbs, veggies, or fruits wherever they have two square feet of space. Set it up on a balcony, patio, or roofdeck—it can even live next to a grownup garden so you and your little gardener can work side-by-side!

The depth of the three compartments is substantial enough for root growth, and the height of this sturdy, weather-resistant planter is also just right for kids. With this planter, they won’t tire of tending to their garden and will look forward to watering their plants each day.

Kids Wheelbarrow

Your kid will feel like an actual landscaper with this scaled-down wheelbarrow. With ergonomic handles and a durable rubber wheel, this isn’t just a toy, even though it’s designed for children as young as three years old. Your gardening helper can easily transport plants and supplies—or just push around their stuffed animals while you do all of the dirty work. Fair warning: Don't be surprised if your kiddo asks you to push them around in it.

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