Mine germinated accidently, I tossed the out on a flat that had soil in it and lot of rocks, the seed were in my pockets, and i wanted to remove them before I can into the house and forgot, every seed germinated, the flat was plased under part shade, they looked like moss, I tossed them out I don't like the species at all. I suggest them for children, they can't be covered with soil, most of them will rot, that is too discouraging for a child. I rather you use radishes this time of the year or onions seed. Perhaps a herb for their moms. Or tiny dishgardens for Christmas gifts. Rainbow Radishes really would be great they are fast growers. Just a loose soil, toss in the radish seed, and sprinkle, put in the sun, give it love, air, a pinch of bone meal, your ready to go, and it doesn't take long, I didn't ask how old are these children? Lettuce is also a winter grower. Use clear plastic drinking cups at least 6" tall because of the long roots. Norma

Lotus, I would look at something that grows a little faster, Aloinopsis for instance (mine flowered at 11 months), whereas Lithops can rot easily and grows slowly...Here is A. malherbei at 2 months & 11 months..
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Another option is to get a Crassula ovata and root the leaves, which brings some other lessons to the table. Norma's ideas are also sound, that's how my love for plants started by growing my own veggies when I was a kid.

Another awesome fairly common plant with lots of lessons in it is P. afra, especially in today's debate about climate change, etc. It is used by animals (elephants) and it has now been shown to be effective in carbon sequestration (binding atmospheric carbon which is responsible for climate change), in semi-arid landscapes and thicket vegetation it is also being used for restoration purposes. (see link below) Here is pics of Elephants in the bush (P. afra) - the cow with calf is eating just that.
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A good option I think, to bring in various lessons and add some meat to the topic.

Here is a link that might be useful: P. afra

Beachplants - I love the idea of Aloinopsis. I am looking for something interesting and unique.

I also thought about my Crassula ovata as I have a huge one and it would be interesting to have a few leaves already rooted at various stages and then give them each a leaf and prepare a little pot for each and explain how to get them started. That was my second idea.

But I really REALLY like your Aloinopsis idea. Small, compact sounds like it would be easy to start on grow on. I like small that way they can keep them in their rooms without bothering their parents. I think I am going to look for seeds of this one. Thank you.

Great photos of the elephants. You are fortunate with all the traveling you do. I've been reading quite a few of your old posts with the information you've found in your travels. Quite interesting.

Norma - I should have mentioned my first meeting with them I grew on vegetables from seed with them. The second meeting with them we talked about caudex and I gave each of them one of my baby adeniums. This will be my third encounter with them so I am looking for something unusual. I think a few of them are hooked as they email me photos of their plants and really enjoy talking about garden plants. They are from 8 to 10 years of age.

LL,

From lithops.net (great people, too!):

'LITHOPS should be allowed to go drier in the winter when the new growth is drawing moisture from the old leaves. At this time, water very lightly, just enough to keep the root hairs alive. Some people say it is easiest to judge if you water as though you are trying to get the dust off the leaves. As the old leaves dry up in the spring, give them more water until the long, hot summer days bring the growing period to a standstill.At this time water lightly as stated above, act like you are getting the dust off the leaves.REMEMBER, you never want the soil to become bone dry. ( The root hairs will all die back and when you resume watering there will be no root hairs to begin using the moisture. ) As flower buds appear in late summer and fall, another watering period begins. Tapering off during winter after flowering has ended. Those growing plants under lights will probably need to water a bit more during the winter when the plants show signs of shriveling. No one can tell you exactly how much water your plants need, you must watch them and learn their growing cycle.'