Let’s say my child has become very attached to a squash, which is now quite squishy. If we held a little funeral for it, what are the chances its descendants would sprout next spring or summer? We’re in zone 5.
They’re probably right, but if you want your child to think it’s coming back, just bury it where you plan to plant squash next year. When the time comes, plant the seeds without them seeing.
This is the way.
If the zucchini’s seeds are immature, they won’t magically grow more zucchinis. So, get some seeds and plant them next spring in the same spot where you buried the beloved zucchini. Either choose the same kind or find a special variety, and tell your child that because they loved and cared for the original, the zucchini fairies granted them magical zucchinis for next year!
I love doing things like this for my kid and then blaming it on fairies 
.
This is how my child came to believe in carnival elves.
You know, the elves that come in the night and put up/take down the traveling carnivals
This might not be the most practical advice, but you should show your child the book “Sophie’s Squash”! In the story, Sophie buries her beloved squash, and it grows into a plant the next spring.
We have that same book! And I totally was thinking of it when I read this post. It’s adorable!
Wish I had known about that one. My daughter had a Hubbard squash she used to carry around.