Making Plant Care a Fun Family Activity

A very young child carefully uses a watering can to water an indoor potted plant.

Family Wellness

Posted In

November 3, 2023

Posted On

How can I involve my kids in caring for indoor plants and make it a fun family project?

What if caring for plants could bring your family closer together?

Plant care isn’t just about keeping greenery alive—it’s an opportunity to teach responsibility, spark curiosity, and spend quality time together. For parents raising autistic children, involving them in plant care can also be a sensory-friendly way to build skills and create calming routines.

Let’s explore how you can make plant care a meaningful and fun family activity that everyone will enjoy.

Why Involve Kids in Plant Care?

Caring for plants together has benefits far beyond a greener home:

  • Teaches Responsibility: Kids learn to care for a living thing, understanding the importance of consistency and attention.
  • Fosters Connection: Working on a shared project strengthens family bonds and creates opportunities for meaningful conversations.
  • Supports Emotional Growth: Plant care encourages patience, mindfulness, and pride in small accomplishments.

For neurodiverse children, plant care can also offer sensory-friendly experiences, like touching soft leaves or observing water trickle into the soil, which can help them feel calm and engaged.

Simple Ways to Make Plant Care Family-Friendly

  • 1. Choose Easy-to-Care-For Plants Together

    there really are lots to choose from!

    Visit a local nursery or garden center and let your kids help pick out plants. Look for low-maintenance options like:

    • Pothos: Soft, trailing vines that kids can watch grow.
    • Spider Plants: Great for observing how baby plants grow and can be replanted.
    • Succulents: Perfect for kids who love small, quirky plants.

  • 2. Create a Sensory Plant Corner

    Designate a space in your home for a sensory-friendly plant corner. Include plants with soft, textured leaves (like ferns or peperomia) or calming scents (like lavender).

    Add small watering cans, spray bottles, or gardening gloves to make the space interactive and inviting.

  • 3. Make Watering a Ritual

    The calming effect of plants AND routines

    Turn watering plants into a shared ritual. For example, water the plants together after breakfast or before bedtime. This not only creates a routine but also gives everyone a moment to pause and connect.

  • 4. Track Growth as a Family Project

    Use a chart or journal to track plant growth. Kids can measure plants, draw pictures, or take photos to document how the plants change over time. This adds an educational element and keeps them engaged.

  • 5. Celebrate plant milestones

    Celebrate small wins, like a new leaf or a flower blooming. You can even name the plants together, giving each one a unique personality to make the experience more fun!

Mini Coaching Moment

Start Small with One Plant

If you’re new to plant care as a family, start with one plant. Choose a hardy, low-maintenance option like a pothos or spider plant.

Assign simple roles:

  • One person waters.
  • Another dusts the leaves.
  • Someone else checks for new growth.

These small tasks give everyone a sense of ownership and make the process fun and manageable.

Why It’s Worth It

Plant care isn’t just about greenery—it’s about slowing down, working together, and creating a home environment where everyone feels connected and valued.

For neurodiverse children, these activities can also provide grounding, sensory-friendly experiences that help them feel calm and included. And for parents, it’s a chance to create special moments of connection amidst the busyness of daily life.


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