Sprouting Seeds Activity

Kids love digging in the dirt and also seeing what they plant begin to sprout up! A simple activity like this Sprouting Seeds Activity teaches kids a great deal about our food and how to care for it from seed to table.

This activity was a great match for Eric Carle’s The Tiny Seed. Within just a few days the kids were able to see how the seed split open and began grown.

Sprouting Seeds Activity

You will need:

• seeds
• potting soil
• Small terracotta pots
• plastic spoons

We found these little terra cotta pots in a 4 pack at dollar tree, they make great seed starters but you can also upcycle and use egg cartons or yogurt containers as well.

Fill the pots 3/4 of the way full with soil and press 2-3 seeds in each one.

Water well and drain thoroughly. We started ours in a sunny window and the kids loved to run each morning to the window to see if there was anything growing yet. But you can also place them in a sheltered area outside in filtered shade- but you will have to contend with critters eating your seeds before they have a chance to sprout.

Once your seeds are well established- about 2 weeks you can transfer them to a ground or large container for growing.

This activity opens up great conversations about what seeds need water, sunlight, and soil. It helps kids understand where food comes from and what comes from taking care of or neglecting their seeds.

Some seeds that grow quickly and easily for children are…

• Snap peas
• Sunflowers
• Radishes
• Cherry Tomatoes
• Carrots
• Pumpkins

Celebrate the beauty of spring flowers, rain showers and sprouting gardens with these playful learning activities.