Grow plants right at home! Observe the life cycle of a plant in action using simple items from your kitchen.
Activity best for ages 3 & up (with adult supervision)
Materials
- A bean or seed (pea, lima bean, etc.)
- Jar
- Kitchen towel or napkin
- Water
Questions to answer while experimenting:
What do you think plants need to grow?
What do you think will happen to this plant over time?
Which parts of the plant began to grow first? Why do you think this happened?
Directions
Step 1
Swirl a small amount of water around the jar.
Step 2
Put a few drops of water on your napkin or paper towel. Then, fold your napkin or paper towel and place it in the jar.
Step 3
Place the bean or seed in the jar resting on the napkin or paper towel.
Step 4
Spray some water on the bean every few days. Draw a picture and record what you notice about the seed’s changes each day!
Optional extension
- Plant more than one kind of seed and compare how they are similar and different as they grow.
- Create two jars of the same seeds. Place one in a dark place and one in a sunny place. Record the similarities and differences.
Be sure to share your plant-in-a-jar on Instagram by tagging @sdcdm320.
Do you have questions about this activity? Email Education@sdcdm.org