Although they are broken into age categories, many of the experiments in the kitchen scrap garden theme lend themselves to multiple-aged groups. For example, the Go on a Seed Hunt activity in the Youngest Section  and the Seed Investigation activity in the Budding section are very similar. You could easily do these with multiple age ranges. Ask older children to count and record the number of seeds while the younger children are simply searching for seeds. Then take the seeds and figure out how to make them grow. (Look in the Kitchen Scrap Garden activity for details for growing seeds.) Predict what will happen. Afterwards, everyone will enjoy a nice fruit salad as a snack.

What Do Plants Need to Grow? Budding and What Do Plants Need to Grow? Maturing are very similar as well. The maturing level scientists are asked to design the experiment themselves and should be expected to perform more complex experiments, whereas the experimental design is provided for the budding scientists.

Younger children might have a lot of fun with Kitchen Seed Survivor with help and hints from an adult. I can imagine children rummaging through cupboards, the refrigerator and spice racks looking for things to grow.

Kitchen Scrap Gardens for budding scientists lists simple experiments with relatively easy to obtain and grow plant materials. The Advanced Kitchen Scrap Propagation Techniques is for older children who have had quite a bit of horticulture experience and are looking for something more challenging.