gardencouch

Most children are fascinated by gardening activities - digging, planting, watering, and so on. Even if you have a very small plot of dirt, you can grow a surprising amount of food. (Planted wisely, a ten-by-ten-foot plot will provide you with vegetables all summer long.) This particular activity is geared for young children. The plants are easy to grow, some sprout fairly quickly, and the mature plants are interesting. Try these:

Radishes. Sprout in three to ten days, and reach fruition in three weeks.
Beans. Dramatic when they break the ground.
Zucchini. Prolific when they reach maturity (get the bush variety to conserve garden space).
Carrots. A classic They prefer sandy soil
Cherry tomatoes. They're easier to manage than full-sized tomatoes.
Lettuce. It's fun to see leafy rows sprout up.
Follow the directions on the seed packets—every variety is different. Make a 'map of your garden so your child will know where to water (use twigs as markers).

Yes, really interesting, I can only add:
Full-sized tomatoes. Seeds or starter plants. As they grow, pinch off shoots that form where each leaf meets the stem. This will keep the plant from growing too many gangly side branches. Once the plants reach a foot, have your child help tie them to stakes with strings or strips of doth.
Red peppers. Get starter plants. These might need to be staked, too. Kids will need a little patience as the peppers turn from green to red.
Melons. Great fun! If you want to grow watermelons and don't live in a hot climate, buy one of the ice box species—they have a shorter growing period. Remember, with any melon you need tots of space.
Squash. Fun to grow: must be aware that they can take over your garden.
Pumpkins. Halloween will have special significance if your child has grown his or her own jack-o-lantern since it was a pup. Like melons, these need lots of space. Find a seed variety that your garden supply recommends for your area, then get set for garden sprawl
Cucumbers. Cukes like to climb, so you'll need to drive two stakes into the ground. Have your child help connect cross strings between the stakes. Plant the cucumber seeds in a row in front of the cross strings. By mid-summer you should have a cucumber jungle.
Sunflowers. Some species reach twelve feet in height. But there are smaller varieties, too. Your child will get special satisfaction out of growing something so big (the birds will appreciate the effort, too).

This is a very interesting outdoor game for kids
First you need a hill of soft grass, sand, or snow. One person starts out as king of the hill, and all the other children aspire to the throne. Unfortunately, there can only be one king. Those seeking to overthrow the king can devise strategies to get him or her off the hill (parents supervise closely). Rather than charge one at a time, they can all charge up the hill at once, from different directions, and make the king defend his or her kingdom on all flanks.
Of course, this strategy could backfire for some children who may help depose the king only to find themselves looking up at a brand new head of state.