Child-sized rakes, hoes, spades, and gloves can be found in most garden shops, home improvement centers, and catalogues. Less expensive alternatives might include old, heavy kitchen spoons for digging and measuring cups for scoops. Sometimes waiting for spring to plant a garden is just too long for a child. Many plants can be successfully grown indoors by children, including the pits and seeds of items purchased at the grocery store. Avocado pits can be grown in a glass in the window, and the top cut off of a pineapple and grown in a piepan can make a nice houseplant.
Herbs are a good choice to plant indoors for children.
They grow fast and can then be tasted. With pruning, herbs will grow all winter and can be planted outdoors in the spring. If there's a cat in the house, children may enjoy growing catnip on a windowsill in a pot. One of the most fun and satisfying indoor gardening projects is forcing flower bulbs. This is an easy, inexpensive way to keep children busy in the winter when they can't play outdoors and can be done as a family activity.