When the grandkids come to stay, many of us have the same hopeful thought: fresh air, wholesome fun, maybe a bit of gardening together. What often follows instead is a quiet house filled with the glow of screens and the sound of thumbs scrolling.
But according to award-winning garden designer Matt Leacy, co-founder of Brookvale-based Landart, the trick isn’t to force kids into the garden – it’s to grow things they can actually relate to.
“Kids and teens don’t want chores,” Leacy says. “They want outcomes. If they can grow something they’ll use, eat or give away, suddenly the garden becomes interesting.”
Here’s how to turn a weekend visit into a shared garden adventure – without a single lecture.
Turn the garden into a ‘beauty lab’
One of the easiest ways to hook younger grandchildren (and especially teens) is through plants that double as skincare.
Leacy suggests growing quick-reward plants that can be turned into real-world products:
Aloe vera for sunburn gel, spot treatments and simple face masks
Lavender and chamomile for calming sprays, bath soaks or pillow mists
Rosemary, mint, sage and thyme for hair rinses, skin tonics and fragrant sachets
Calendula, prized for its soothing, anti-inflammatory qualities in homemade balms
“These plants grow easily, look good and can be grown in pots,” Leacy says. “You don’t need a big backyard — just a sunny corner.”
For grandkids who love experimenting, this turns gardening into something that feels creative, modern and useful.
Let the garden help with teenage skin
For older grandchildren dealing with breakouts, growing ingredients that help soothe skin can be surprisingly empowering.
“Aloe, calendula and chamomile can be made into very simple, safe salves,” Leacy explains. “There’s something powerful about growing something that helps you feel better about yourself.”
It’s gardening – but with a confidence boost built in.
Sneaky exercise without the gym
If your grandkids spend hours watching fitness videos but resist actual movement, the garden can quietly do the job.
“Digging, lifting soil, hauling mulch – it’s all functional strength training,” Leacy says. “They get Vitamin D and the satisfaction of seeing real progress.”
Simple building projects – like raised planters, vertical herb walls or even basic seating – add teamwork and problem-solving. They’re also perfect projects to tackle together, rather than handing them a job and walking away.
Grow food they’ll actually eat
Food remains one of the most reliable ways to engage kids of any age.
Easy summer wins include:
Tomatoes, cucumbers, rocket and lettuce for quick salads
Basil and mint for pasta dishes and cold drinks
Zucchini for barbecues or baking
“No matter how old you are, there’s something special about eating what you’ve grown,” Leacy says.
You can take it further by letting them research organic bug sprays, try composting, or even help manage a worm farm – real responsibility, without the boredom.
Turn plants into presents
Gardens also offer something kids understand immediately: gift-making.
Instead of buying chocolates, grandkids can create:
Dried herb bundles
Lavender or rosemary bath salts
Calendula balm
Mint sugar scrubs
Home-grown salad mixes or BBQ rubs
Painted pots with flowers for Mother’s Day
“It’s creative, it takes time and it gives kids something meaningful to do,” Leacy says. “And it’s great for doing with friends.”
The real reward
The secret isn’t just productivity. It’s connection.
When grandkids grow, build, harvest or create alongside you, the garden becomes more than plants and soil. It becomes shared memories, conversations that unfold naturally, and pride in something made together.
And if they leave with dirty hands, a small pot plant and a story to tell?
That’s a very good visit indeed.