Plants Kids Love to Touch

These lollipop-like blooms instantly draw children's attention. 'Globemaster' (pictured) can reach 5 feet, making any garden resemble a real-life Candyland. Just warn the kids that these onion family members don't taste as sweet as they look!

Kids love to "pet" the fuzzy, red, catkin-like blooms of the chenille plant, in both its trailing and shrubby forms. Whether you choose to grow chenille indoors as a houseplant or outdoors in-ground, this lovable plant will attract the interest of your garden visitors.

The fragrant, unusual blooms of this Southern wildflower open up on a rapidly-growing vine in midsummer, attracting butterflies, bees and curious children, of course. Fruits, called maypops, follow the flowers and can be eaten fresh or used to make jelly. 

Sunflowers are easy to grow and children will love plucking petals from the towering blooms. Sunflower seeds are an added bonus. Try growing 'Sunforest Mix', which can reach heights of 10 to 15 feet, for a living playhouse.