Beans are an excellent crop for kids to be able to plant.  Last year, I just gave them each a handful of beans and directed them to a garden bed.  We ended up with clumps of bean plants, which still grew, but we can do better this year.

I decided that they could make their own bean plant spacing rulers.  Very simple, and easy for the kids to follow.  Here is what we did:

Step 1: I measured out lines, 3 inches apart.  I wanted to plant the beans somewhat close together, but in two rows.  The lines I measured out have arrows pointing opposite directions, every other arrow.

Step 2:  The kids each paint the markings on one stick.  The markings I made would work just fine, but then the kids could’t paint.  Paint always makes things more fun.

Step 3:  Decorate.  Again, to keep the kids entertained.

Step 4:  Mommy goes back and redoes the markings, so that they are easy to see.  The kids painting is less than exact, so I help it along so the kids don’t get confused while planting.  While I outlined the markings, the kids learned how to make inkblots.

Step 5: Plant!

Here are some measuring stick ideas:

School Gardening

Vegetable Gardener

Allotment Garden