Although radishes may not be up at the top of your favorite food list, they are an excellent choice for your child's first seed growing experience. The speed at which they germinate and actually grow into food is sure to keep their interest. Suggest putting in a short row of them, in the front of the garden so they can keep an eye on the progress. If the weather has sufficiently warmed, and the seeds are planted according to the package directions, your child can be admiring their handiwork in as little as three or four days, when the first leaves emerge from the ground. The bright, cheery annual flowers, such as cosmos, marigolds, zinnias, nasturtiums, and snapdragons, will almost certainly please your child.
Many herbs are also available as starter plants.
Children love to sniff the wonderful scent of lemon balm or mint when you show them how to crumble a leaf between their fingers. There are also many which will remain compact, so do a little research into the habits of the selected herbs before you commit to growing them. Unless you have adequate space to deal with the larger herbs, it is better to forget this category. The Coleus , a fast growing annual, produces a rainbow of colored foliage from the moment it begins growing. The variety of colors is so nearly complete, that no matter what your child's favorite color is, you can probably find a Coleus that is just right.