There’s something quietly magical about gardening with young children. It’s messy, unpredictable, occasionally chaotic—and completely worth it.

If you have a toddler or preschooler (ages 1–5), gardening won’t look like neat rows and carefully labeled beds. It will look like digging in the wrong place, overwatering, picking unripe tomatoes, and asking “why?” about everything. But that’s exactly the point.

Gardening becomes less about perfection and more about curiosity, connection, and small daily rituals that stick.

Why Garden with Young Kids?

At this age, children learn best by doing—and gardening is about as hands-on as it gets.

Digging, watering, and harvesting help build motor skills, patience, and focus, while also encouraging curiosity about how the natural world works. (Early Advantage Child Care)

It’s also a powerful way to:

• Encourage healthy eating (kids are far more likely to try what they grow)

• Build responsibility and confidence

• Spend meaningful time outdoors together

And perhaps most importantly: it slows everyone down.

What Gardening Looks Like with Ages 1–5

Let’s be honest—your role is part gardener, part supervisor, part narrator of what’s happening.

Here’s what tends to work:

1. Start small (smaller than you think)

A few pots, a raised bed, or even a single planter is enough. Young kids thrive with manageable, repeatable tasks.

You can also try a Kitchen Scrap Garden to keep materials simple.

2. Give them ownership

Let them pick one plant. Let them water it. Let them call it theirs. Kids are more engaged when they feel like co-creators, not assistants. (Tilth Alliance)

3. Choose sensory plants

Think:

Gardens that engage smell, touch, and taste hold their attention longer.

4. Expect (and allow) mess

Dirt will end up everywhere. Plants may get uprooted. Seeds may be dumped in one spot. That’s not failure—that’s learning.

5. Focus on quick wins

Young children don’t have a long timeline. Fast-growing plants keep them engaged and help them understand cause and effect.

6. Build it into your routine

Even 10 minutes—watering in the morning, checking for growth after daycare—creates consistency without pressure.

What to Plant in May (for San Mateo, Zone 10a)

May in coastal California is a transition month. The soil is warming, and it’s time to shift from cool-season crops to heat-loving plants. (The Tiny Life)

Here’s what works especially well right now—and what’s kid-friendly.

Easy, Kid-Friendly Edibles

Great for attention spans + easy harvesting:

These thrive when planted in late spring as temperatures rise. (The Tiny Life)

Heat-Loving Summer Crops

May is the time to plant crops that can handle warmer weather:

These plants are well-suited to the increasing heat typical of Zone 10 summers. (BloomingExpert)

Herbs (Perfect for Small Spaces + Kids)

Herbs are some of the best plants for young children:

They grow quickly, can be touched and smelled often, and are forgiving of imperfect care.

Flowers for Fun (and Pollinators)

Add color and excitement with:

Many of these tolerate heat well and grow quickly from seed. (NurturingPlants)

A Simple May Gardening Plan (with Kids)

If you’re starting from scratch, here’s an easy way to begin:

Week 1:
Set up a small bed or 3–5 containers. Let your child help fill with soil.

Week 2:
Plant:

Ongoing:

Final Thoughts: Let Go of Perfect

Your garden may not look like a magazine spread this year.

But your child might:

And that’s a different kind of success.

One that grows slowly – but lasts.

Reposted with minor edits from an SMPC blog post from April 28, 2025.

For a rundown of all the latest kid-friendly events on the Peninsula, check out Klabbit.

Free First Friday at the San Mateo County History Museum (Free) – Redwood City, May 1
Penguins & Pajamas Sleepover at Cal Academy – San Francisco, May 1, 15
Science Day of Discovery – Lafayette, May 2
Cal Sailing Open House (Free) – Berkeley, May 2, 31
Family Fun Run – Newark, May 2
Multicultural Festival (Free) – Mountain View, May 2
Spring Farm Tour at Deer Hollow Farm – Cupertino, May 2
Family Math Fest (Free) – San Francisco, May 3
Teacher Appreciation Kits – Lafayette, May 3
Free First Friday at the San Mateo County History Museum (Free) – Redwood City, May 5
Science Fridays (Free) – Oakland, May 8
Stanford Powwow – Stanford, May 8-10
Family Nature Adventures – Oakland, May 9
Roundtable Reading: Lalani of the Distant Sea – Berkeley, May 9
Magic in May – Berkeley, May 9
Scout-O-Rama – San Jose, May 9
2nd Saturdays on the Farm – Watsonville, May 9
Mothers Day Tea – San Jose, May 10
Seussical Jr. by The Ballet School Performing Arts – Walnut Creek, May 12, 13
Dragons Love Tacos – Mountain View, May 15, 16
Willie Wonka Jr by Playful People – San Jose, May 15-24
SF Jazz Family Matinee – San Francisco, May 16
Kids to Parks Day (Free) – Alameda, May 16
Pirates Past Noon by PYTC – Pleasanton, May 16
South Bay AANHPI Festival – San Jose, May 16
Himalayan Fair – Berkeley, May 16, 17
My Very First Ballet: Giselle by New Ballet – San Jose, May 17
The Three Little Pigs by Palo Alto Children’s Theatre – Palo Alto, May 23 & 24
Alice in Wonderland by San Jose Dance Theater – San Jose, May 30 & 31

Still looking for something to do this weekend? Check out these spring- and egg-themed events happening in and near San Mateo this weekend!

Easter Bunny Photos at Hillsdale Shopping Center
Through April 4

The Easter Bunny is set up in Macy's Center Court for photos through April 4, making it easy to pop in during a shopping trip. Little ones who are still figuring out their feelings about giant bunnies will appreciate the relaxed, indoor mall setting.

Photos from $28. Walk-ins welcome

Eggstravaganza at San Mateo Central Park 
Saturday, April 4, 9am-noon

Celebrating nearly 50 years, this beloved community event is a rite of passage for San Mateo families. The big news for parents of the tiniest egg hunters: there's a dedicated Peter Rabbit's Playground in the gazebo for little ones age 3 and under, hosted by San Mateo Building Blocks. Older kids (4–9) can join the main wristband egg hunt at Fitzgerald Field. Beyond the hunt, the event includes a Spring Bunny photo station, a costume contest, food vendors, and performances by PAL Ballet Folklorico and Puppet Art Theater Co. A heads-up: Online wristband reservations for the main egg hunt have sold out, but a limited number of walk-up wristbands will be available on the day.

Free. Arrive early for walk-up wristbands

Belmont Egg Adventure Hunt at Twin Pines Park
Friday, April 3, 4:30-5:30 pm and Saturday, April 4, 10am–noon

Belmont is offering two separate events this year. On April 3, there's a smaller, preregistration-required evening adaptive hunt in the meadow — a lovely low-key option for little ones who might get overwhelmed by larger crowds. On April 4, the bigger hunt kicks off with 18,000 eggs and four golden eggs hidden for kids ages 3–10, organized by age group so your toddler isn't competing with five-year-olds. Easter Bunny photos and refreshments round out the morning. Bring your own basket!

Free. April 3 requires advance signup. Note arrival times

Foster City Egg Hunt at Leo J. Ryan Park
Saturday, April 4, 10am–noon

Foster City hosts their egg hunt at the scenic Leo J. Ryan Park meadow, right along the lagoon. A well-organized neighborhood event that's great for stroller-age kids — the flat park terrain means easy maneuvering for parents and wobbly toddler walkers alike.

$10

Easter Bunny Arrives by Helicopter! at Hiller Aviation Museum
Saturday, April 4, 10am–noon

If your toddler is obsessed with planes and helicopters (and which one isn't?), this is the event of the season. The Easter Bunny makes a dramatic arrival at the Hiller Aviation Museum via helicopter, touching down at the San Carlos Airport. The day also includes face painting, a bounce house and slide, and model train displays, plus everything the aviation museum itself has to offer. A genuinely unique combo of aviation wonder and Easter magic that you won't find anywhere else on the Peninsula.

Museum admission applies.

Easter Egg Hunts at Lemos Farm — Half Moon Bay
Through April 5 (Hunt times: 10am most days; 1pm on April 5)

Lemos Farm is hosting large Easter egg hunts on multiple weekends through Easter Sunday, with egg hunts included in the price of admission. That same ticket gets your family unlimited access to pony rides, train and hay rides, a petting zoo, farm slides, bounce houses, and more. This is a full half-day (or full day!) adventure and an absolute dream for toddlers who love animals and outdoor exploration. Kids 14 months and under are free.

~$32–$37 kids · $17 adults · under 14mo free

For a rundown of all the latest kid-friendly events on the Peninsula, check out Klabbit.

Slide Ranch Family Farm Day – Muir Beach, April 4

Earth and Arbor Day Festival – Cupertino, April 4

Penguins & Pajamas Sleepover at Cal Academy – San Francisco, April 10

Family Astronomy – Oakland, April 10

Science Fridays (Free) – Oakland, April 10

Between the Lines by Playful People – April 10-12

SF Jazz Family Matinee – San Francisco, April 11

Roundtable Reading: Fast Pitch by Nic Stone – Berkeley, April 11

Family Nature Adventures – Oakland, April 11

2nd Saturdays on the Farm – Watsonville, April 11

Carquinez Model Railroad Society Open House – Crockett, April 11 & 12

Model Trains at Roaring Camp – Felton, April 11 & 12

Bugology with Insect Discovery Lab – San Francisco, April 11, 25

Marine Science Sunday – Sausalito, April 12, 26

Sensory Friendly Family Concert (Free) – San Francisco, April 18

Spring Shindig – Alameda, April 18

Tri Valley Innovation Fair – Pleasanton, April 18

Sensory Friendly Family Concert (Free) – Palo Alto, April 18

Terrarium Craft at Lowes (Free) – Several Locations, April 18

Pete the Cat – San Francisco, April 18-May 3

Northern California Cherry Blossom Parade (Free) – San Francisco, April 19

Sensory Friendly Family Concert (Free) – Berkeley, April 19

Messy Art Day (Free) – El Cerrito, April 19

Viva Calle (Free) – San Jose, April 19

Mary Poppins by PYTC – Pleasanton, April 24

Hansel and Gretel – Mountain View, April 24, 25

Kids Night at the Museum – Santa Rosa, April 25

Spring Farm Tour at Deer Hollow Farm – Cupertino, April 25

The Princess and the Pea by Palo Alto Children’s Theatre – Palo Alto, April 26-27

Matilda the Musical by Palo Alto Children’s Theatre – Palo Alto, April 30-May 17

For a rundown of all the latest kid-friendly events on the Peninsula, check out Klabbit.

Storytime at the Foster Museum (Free) – Palo Alto, March 1, 22
Free First Friday at the San Mateo County History Museum (Free) – Redwood City, March 6
Family Art Making at de Young Museum – San Francisco, March 7
Women’s Heritage Day – San Jose, March 7
Holi Fest – San Jose, March 7
Planetarium Shows – Cupertino, March 7, 14, 21, 28
Slide Ranch Family Farm Day – Muir Beach, March 7, 21
Marine Science Sunday – Sausalito, March 8, 22
Royal Ball – Burlingame, March 13
SF Jazz Family Matinee – San Francisco, March 14
San Francisco Giants Fan Fest (Free) – San Francisco, March 14
Family Tour at the DeYoung (Free) – San Francisco, March 14
The Amazing Bubble Show – San Francisco, March 14
St. Patrick’s Day Parade (Free) – San Francisco, March 14
2nd Saturdays on the Farm – Watsonville, March 14
St. Patrick’s Day Celebration – Dublin, March 14, 15
Penguins & Pajamas Sleepover at Cal Academy – San Francisco, March 14, 28
Newsies by PYT – Mountain View, March 14-22
Open Cockpit Day – Oakland, March 15
St. Patrick’s Day Celebration – San Carlos, March 15
Bay Area Science Championship – Milpitas, March 16
Shamrock Scavenger Hunt – Belmont, March 17
DLUX Puppets’ Peter Pan – Walnut Creek, March 19, 20
Bay Area Garden Railroad – San Carlos, March 21
Nowruz at Children’s Discovery Museum – San Jose, March 21
Lawnmower Craft at Lowes (Free) – Several Locations, March 21
The Pout Pout Fish – Santa Rosa, March 22
Spring Eggstravaganza – San Jose, March 28
The Ugly Duckling by Palo Alto Children’s Theatre – Palo Alto, March 28, 29
Sound of Music Sing-a-Long – San Francisco, March 29

For a rundown of all the latest kid-friendly events on the Peninsula, check out Klabbit.

Storytime at the Foster Museum (Free) – Palo Alto, February 1, 15

Free First Friday at the San Mateo County History Museum (Free) – Redwood City, February 6

Very First Concert (Free) – San Francisco, February 7

James Henry Percussionist (Free) – Redwood City, February 7

Very First Concert (Free) – Palo Alto, February 7

Valentine Fun Run & Kid Dash – Campbell, February 7

Lunar New Year at Children’s Discovery Museum – San Jose, February 7

Planetarium Shows – Cupertino, February 7, 14, 21, 28

Lunar New Year at Children’s Fairyland – Oakland, February 7, 8

Lunar New Year Celebration (Free) – Belmont, February 8

Marine Science Sunday – Sausalito, February 8, 22

Science Fridays (Free) – Oakland, February 13

Sweetheart Dance – Belmont, February 13

Martina the Beautiful Cockroach – Mountain View, February 13, 14

Music for Families – San Francisco, February 14

Slide Ranch Family Farm Day – Muir Beach, February 14

Peppa Pig My First Concert – Walnut Creek, February 14

Engineering Explorations (Free) – Livermore, February 14

Second Saturday at Gamble Garden – Palo Alto, February 14

Cinderella by World Ballet Company – Campbell, February 14

2nd Saturdays on the Farm – Watsonville, February 14

SF Jazz Family Matinee – San Francisco, February 21

Family Art Making at de Young Museum – San Francisco, February 21

Penguins & Pajamas Sleepover at Cal Academy – San Francisco, February 21

Lunar New Year at OMCA – Oakland, February 21

Lunar New Year Lion Dance (Free) – Oakland, February 21

Lunar New Year at SJMA – San Jose, February 21

Goldilocks and the Three Bears by Palo Alto Children’s Theatre – Palo Alto, February 21, 22

Bay Area Logical Reasoning Championship – Cupertino, Dublin, Fremont, Milpitas, San Jose, Mountain House, February 22

The Eyes & The Impossible by Dave Eggers – San Francisco, February 26 – March 15

The Putnam County Spelling Bee by CMTSJ – San Jose, February 27 – March 8

Kids and Family Expo (Free) – Albany, February 28

Lunar New Year Celebration (Free) – Oakland, February 28

Seaside Storytime (Free) – Redwood City, February 28

Lunar New Year Family Day at Filoli – Woodside, February 28

For a rundown of all the latest kid-friendly events on the Peninsula, check out Klabbit.

Wake up the Farm – Fremont, January 1

Magic Show with Brian Scott (Free) – Fremont, January 2

Free First Friday at the San Mateo County History Museum (Free) – Redwood City, January 2

Family Photo Fun Crafternoon (Free) – Berkeley, January 3

Mysterious Monarchs – Fremont, January 3

Storytime Science for Kids at the Exploratorium – San Francisco, January 3, 10

Family Storytelling at the Asian Art Museum – San Francisco, January 4

Storytime at the Foster Museum (Free) – Palo Alto, January 4, 18

TK/Kindergarten Readiness Info Session with Wornick (Free) - Zoom, January 7

Musical Story Time @The Freight – Berkeley, January 8

Science Fridays (Free) – Oakland, January 9

Second Saturday at Gamble Garden (Free) – Palo Alto, January 10

El Día de los Tres Reyes Magos – San Jose, January 10

Family Art Making at de Young Museum – San Francisco, January 10, 24

Science Fun! @ Wornick Jewish Day School (Free) - Foster City, January 11

The Adventures of Pinocchio – Mountain View, January 16, 17

Harlem Globetrotters – San Jose, January 17

The Addams Family – Pleasanton, January 17-25

Model Railroad Show – Walnut Creek, January 17 & 18

Penguins & Pajamas Sleepover at Cal Academy – San Francisco, January 17, 31

Harlem Globetrotters – San Francisco, January 18

Sundays at the Asian Art Museum – San Francisco, January 18

LEGO Day (Free) – Berkeley, January 24

Cinderella by Palo Alto Children’s Theatre – Palo Alto, January 24, 25

Once Upon a Mattress by Children’s Theater Association – San Francisco, January 24-February 28

Art Making for All Ages (Free) – Berkeley, January 25

Bay Area Math Championship – Fremont, January 25

The Wiz by Broadway San Jose – San Jose, January 27-February 1

Goodnight Moon by Palo Alto Children’s Theatre – Palo Alto, January 28-February 15

Slide Ranch Family Farm Day – Muir Beach, January 31

Family Tour at the DeYoung (Free) – San Francisco, January 31

Lunar New Year Lion Dance (Free) – Oakland, January 31

Family Yoga at Hidden Villa – Los Altos Hills, January 31

For a rundown of all the latest kid-friendly events on the Peninsula, check out Klabbit.

Community Skate Day (Free) – San Mateo, December 2, 16
Madeline’s Christmas by Palo Alto Children’s Theatre – Palo Alto, December 4-21
Finding Neverland by CMTSJ – San Jose, December 5-14
Polar Palooza (Free) – Pacifica, December 5-6
Art of Manga Cosplay Day – San Francisco, December 6
$5 Day at the Lawrence – Berkeley, December 6
Pet Adoption Event at Pup Plaza – San Jose, December 6
Planetarium Shows – Cupertino, December 6, 13
Weekend Farm Tour – Los Altos Hills, December 6, 20
Holiday LEGO Show – Palo Alto, December 6-January 10
Storytime at the Foster Museum (Free) – Palo Alto, December 7
Menorahs and Miracles – San Jose, December 7
A Christmas Carol – Walnut Creek, December 10-21
Midwinter Revels – Hayward, December 12-21
Circus Bella – San Francisco, December 12 – January 4
Lighted Boat Parade and Fireworks (Free) – Sausalito, December 13
Frozen Movie with SF Symphony – San Francisco, December 13
Winter Craft Day at Randall Museum – San Francisco, December 13
Family Tour at de Young Museum – San Francisco, December 13
Cartooning for Kids – San Francisco, December 13
Budding Birders (Free) – Fremont, December 13
Hometown Holidays (Free) – Redwood City, December 13
The Great Train Show – Pleasanton, December 13, 14
The Gift of Nothing – A Musical for Children of All Ages – Mill Valley, December 13-23
Marin MOCA Free Family Day – San Rafael, December 13
Hanukkah Party with Isaac Zones (Free) - San Carlos, December 14
Marine Science Sundays at The Marine Mammal Center – Sausalito, December 14, 28
Musical Storytime at The Freight (Free) – Berkeley, December 18

SF Jazz Family Matinee – San Francisco, December 20
Family Astronomy – Oakland, December 20
Star Party at Crestview Park (Free) – San Carlos, December 20
Winter on the Wharf – Santa Cruz, December 20
The Gingerbread Man by Palo Alto Children’s Theatre – Palo Alto, December 20-22
The Physics Show – Los Altos Hills, December 20-January 10
Ricky Roo & Friends (Free) – Berkeley, December 22
Once Upon a Time Step – Pleasanton, December 22
Bubble Sam (Free) – Berkeley, December 27
Jurassic Quest – Pleasanton, December 27-30
Japanese New Year Bell Ringing Ceremony (Free) – San Francisco, December 28
Noon Years Eve at Bay Area Discovery Museum – Sausalito, December 31
Happy New Year Charlie Brown – Santa Rosa, December 31
Thrive City Kwanza and New Year’s Eve Celebration – San Francisco, December 31
Balloon Drop at Chabot Space and Science Center – Oakland, December 31
Noon Year’s Eve at Hiller Aviation Museum – San Carlos, December 31
New Year’s Eve at Gilroy Gardens – Gilroy, December 31
New Year’s Train – Santa Cruz, December 31