Teaching Kids Herbs: Fun Ways to Identify and Learn in the Garden

Allie Correa
5 days ago
4 min read

Teach kids to identify herbs like rosemary, thyme, and basil while exploring farm life, cooking, and hands-on homeschool activities.

A Hands-On Approach to Learning Herbs

Children are naturally curious, and there’s no better way to channel that curiosity than in a garden filled with fragrant herbs. Teaching kids to identify herbs not only sparks their interest in plants but also encourages sensory learning, responsibility, and an appreciation for fresh, local food. At Arrows Farm, we combine hands-on experiences with farm-to-table education, helping children learn through exploration and play. For families participating in our homeschool programs, herb identification can be a fun and educational part of your weekly curriculum.

Start with Easy-to-Identify Herbs

For children just beginning to explore plants, it’s best to start with herbs that are easy to recognize and engage the senses.

Rosemary

Needle-like leaves with a strong, woodsy scent.
Kids can rub the leaves between their fingers to release the fragrance.

Basil

Soft, broad leaves with a sweet aroma.
Perfect for a taste test in cooking projects or simple salads.

Thyme

Small, low-growing leaves that are slightly fuzzy to the touch.
Adds a fun tactile component to learning.

Other beginner-friendly herbs include mint, oregano, and parsley. Encourage children to touch, smell, and (if safe) taste each herb to reinforce memory and learning.

Make Learning Fun with Games

Incorporating games keeps children engaged and reinforces learning. Here are some ideas:

Herb Scavenger Hunt

Create a simple checklist with pictures of herbs.
Have kids search the garden to find each herb.
Reward them with a small prize or let them pick one herb to use in a recipe.

Matching Games

Print images of herbs and have kids match them to the real plants in your garden.
Bonus: Include fun facts about each herb’s uses or history.

Smell Test

Blindfold the children and let them smell a selection of herbs.
Have them guess which herb it is, helping develop their sensory awareness.

These games work wonderfully for homeschool groups as well, encouraging teamwork, observation skills, and hands-on learning in an outdoor classroom setting.

Teach Kids About Herb Uses

Herbs aren’t just for identification—they’re useful in cooking, crafts, and wellness. Teaching children about how herbs can be used strengthens the connection between learning and real-world application.

Cooking

Let children add fresh basil to homemade pizza or rosemary to roasted veggies.
Teach simple measurements and encourage tasting to understand flavors.

Tea and Infusions

Herbs like mint, chamomile, or lemon balm can be brewed into kid-friendly teas.
Discuss how different herbs have calming or energizing properties.

Crafts

Dry herbs for sachets or simple art projects.
Teach children how to bundle herbs safely and creatively, connecting nature and art.

Incorporating these activities into homeschool lessons allows students to see the tangible results of their learning while reinforcing science, math, and even literacy skills.

Incorporate Storytelling and Nature Exploration

Children remember lessons best when they’re interactive and imaginative. Use storytelling to make herbs memorable:

Share historical uses or myths about each herb.
Create stories about “herb superpowers” that highlight their scents, flavors, or medicinal properties.
Encourage children to draw or journal about each herb they discover, reinforcing observation and writing skills.

Exploring herbs in the context of a real farm gives children a sense of place and purpose. At Arrows Farm, our homeschool programs often include outdoor journals, sensory exploration, and guided tours, helping children connect classroom lessons with hands-on experiences.

Connect Learning to Farm Life

Understanding where herbs come from and how they grow connects children to the food they eat. On the farm, kids can:

Observe organic, chemical-free growing methods.
Learn about sustainable gardening practices like no-till planting.
See how herbs are harvested, bundled, and used in meals or workshops.

This approach not only teaches science and agriculture, but also emphasizes responsibility, patience, and environmental stewardship—lessons that children carry into other areas of life.

Hands-On Homeschool Opportunities

For homeschooling families, Arrows Farm offers programs designed to complement your curriculum while giving students experiential learning opportunities. Children can:

Identify and harvest herbs.
Create their own herb-based crafts and recipes.
Participate in seasonal farm activities that teach ecology, sustainability, and healthy eating.

These programs integrate STEAM learning (Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, and Math) with practical, engaging farm experiences. Families leave with hands-on knowledge, confidence in gardening, and a stronger connection to nature.

Tips for Taking Herb Learning Home

Even if you don’t visit the farm, you can continue the learning at home:

Start small: Begin with a few easy herbs like basil, rosemary, and mint.
Use containers: Small pots or windowsill gardens make herbs accessible and manageable.
Engage the senses: Touch, smell, taste, and observe growth over time.
Involve children in cooking: Incorporate herbs into meals to make learning practical.
Document learning: Encourage children to draw or journal about each herb, tracking growth and uses.

By bringing farm-inspired lessons home, children develop curiosity, confidence, and life-long learning skills.

Growing Curiosity and Confidence

Teaching kids to identify herbs is more than a gardening lesson—it’s an opportunity to engage senses, spark curiosity, and build lasting connections to food and nature. Through hands-on activities, games, storytelling, and farm experiences, children gain confidence in their knowledge and skills while having fun.

At Arrows Farm, we’re passionate about fostering curiosity and education through farm-to-table experiences, gardening programs, and homeschool workshops. Whether you’re visiting for a seasonal farm event or participating in our homeschool programs, children will leave inspired to explore herbs, cook with fresh ingredients, and connect with the natural world around them.

Join us at Arrows Farm for our next homeschool program or seasonal workshop and discover the joy of learning herbs hands-on!