Most children are thrilled to see birds, touch caterpillars, and pick flowers. Kids are curious explorers and with summer just around the corner it’s time to embark on a journey outdoors. This is the perfect opportunity to teach your little ones about seeds and gardening with a basic sprouting experiment (that you might remember from your school days. In a few simple steps, you can show your child what’s going on under the ground.

Baby Gardener

This activity is best for kids ages 3-7 years old.

What You’ll Need:

  • Seed packet – preferably larger seeds like pumpkin, watermelon or beans
  • Disposable clear plastic cup or even an old mayonnaise bottle
  • Paper towels
  • Water in a spray bottle
  • Patience – this will definitely be an experiment in waiting for your child

What You Do:

  1. Soak your seeds in water overnight.
  2. Put a seed against the side of the cup or glass and use wet paper towels to hold it in place.
  3. Make sure you keep the paper towels moist but do not fill the glass with water — this is where the spray bottle comes in handy.
  4. Set the cup in a window sill and be sure to explain to your little student that most plants need plenty of sunlight to grow.
  5. Each day have your child help you re-moisten the paper towel. Spend a few minutes together making observations as the sprout breaks through the shell and begins to head upward with its leaves. An older child might enjoy using a digital camera to document growth.

Think Outside the House

Head outdoors with your kids to try some of these other fun adventures.

  • Go on walks and bring a bag along to collect rocks and interesting sticks or even pick up trash.
  • Blow the seeds off dandelions.
  • Visit your local zoo or garden.
  • Put in a bird feeder. Placed in the right location your child can enjoy the feeder from inside and outside the house. We like these inexpensive gadgets that convert a two-liter soda bottle into a bird feeder. If you don’t have something to hang the feeder from, try the window feeder kit with suction cups included.
  • Lay down on a blanket outside and talk about the pictures you imagine while watching the clouds.
  • Lay down on a blanket outside at night and watch the stars while eating an ice cream cone.
  • Plant a seed in a pot. Kids love dirt, why not give them an excuse to play in it. They could even paint their own pot. For older children this could be a very good responsibility-building activity.

Helpful Websites:
gardening-with-kids.com
kidsgardening.com