Which Flower(s) to Plant?

I have a few pots and soil and want to plant some seeds in them. Considering I have zero knowledge and experience, can you recommend some seeds that I could plant with my son (who is 3) and watch them grow? They will be places outside, where they get plenty of morning-early afternoon sun.
Last year, he brought home a small pot that they planted at this daycare as Mother's day gift, and it grew really nice and liked watering a lot. It made big purple flowers with multiple layers. It grew so much in such a small pot of soil I thought it must be fixing nitrogen from the air or something. I do not know the name of that plant/flower. (I know I do not know anything about gardening or flowers!)
Thanks!

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So What Happened?™

Thank you for the suggestions. Yes, I think the purple flowers were zinnias (I googled zinnia and found some pictures).
It is a very good suggestion to plant vegetables but I do not have the means to do that where I live. I will go ahead and try some herbs though.

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T.K. answers from Dallas on April 11, 2011

I did an herb garden with my kids. The herbs grew fast and hardy. If I had it to do again though, I would've just planted a couple seeds but mostly seedlings. That way he could still see the whole cycle, but we it's a lot easier from a seedling.

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V.D. answers from Salt Lake City on April 11, 2011

A easy and colorful flower to plant would be marigolds. Geraniums are also a good choice.

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J.S. answers from Austin on April 11, 2011

Could the purple flower be zinnias? They are very easy to grow.

I think it's great that you are wanting to plant something IRL (in real life). Green beans are great for kids as they grow really fast and they can pick the beans right off the plant to eat. My LO and her cousin love grazing in our garden which has sweet peas, green beans, mint, basil, dill, spinach, tomatoes, potatoes, cilantro, and watermelon. I think they enjoy the novelty of growing something and being able to eat it more so than buying it at the store.. especially beans and the grape/cherry tomatoes! Ha ha - my daughter loves to eat the dill right off the plant rather than picking a piece off. It's amazing how easier it is to get her to eat veggies when she can see them grow =)

Good Luck with which ever plant you decide to grow!

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D.P. answers from Pittsburgh on April 11, 2011

What about some veggie plants--herbs, even...they sprout pretty quickly--basil, oregano, thyme.

Or Dahlias or try a sunflower!

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L.M. answers from New York on April 11, 2011

Sunflowers are always a good to grow with kids. Of course, it will need to be transplanted outside.

Another thought...
zinnia or cosmos

Maybe you might want to try some herbs. Chives and basil are easy to grow.