Preschool Gardening

Last year I tired a few simple gardening projects with my son, then 2.  I quickly realized that his main objective was to seek and destroy everything we attempted to build, make, plant, etc.  Pretty common boy behavior I am guessing!

This year he is 3 and is showing much more understanding, patience, and curiosity.  He will let us get through a project and NOT destroy it (our 20 month old daughter however, has claimed this job).  So I am thinking that we can go ahead with those projects that I thought about a little last year.

We had really hoped to do some new landscaping this year but we have big plans and little wallets so I need to improvise for now.  I am thinking that eventually I would like a small vegetable garden and also grow some herbs that I can use for cooking.  I do NOT have a green thumb and know almost nothing about gardening.  But after some net searching yesterday, I think my compromise can come in the form of "container gardening".  I am thinking my son can help me get some of these containers started and even have him pick out some small containers for his own use.  I did minimal research yesterday and I am thinking I can do some varieties of beans, peas, small tomatoes (I have visions of my kids being able to pick fresh veggies from the vine and enjoying them!), radishes, and possibly "baby" carrots.  As for herbs, basil is my first idea...I LOVE fresh basil and I know it grows quite easily.  But I was thinking maybe parsley and a few others as well.

What I need to determine is what veggies and herbs can be grown easily from seeds as that would be the best projects for my son I believe...seeing the change from a seed to a plant to a fruit/veggie.  I know that some plants are better started from cuts of other plants, right??

My 3^rd grade class is going to be planting seeds in egg cartons for Earth Day and I think the project is simple enough to do with my son as well.  I was also thinking of having him do grass seed for that infamous grass head that we have all made back in the day.

What other projects might we try?  Someone suggested to me making a "toad house"??  Also, my son LOVES collecting rocks on all our walks and around the yard.  Last year he always brought them home and put them in one of my large flower pots (don't ask me why he picked that particular place for his rocks!).  I was thinking I could go with this interest and do some sort of "rock garden" or make a cool container for his rocks.  Any ideas?

Any suggestions/ideas/help would be appreciated!  Like I said, I do not have a green thumb and have very little to no gardening knowledge.  I can grow a lima bean in a Ziploc bag and that is almost the extent of my gardening experience!