Sprouting beans is a really fun, easy activity to do with young kids to get them curious and informed about seed germination. The whole process is so simple, but yet it teaches how we go through the scientific process by posing questions, making predictions, tracking results, and analyzing outcomes. In preschool?! Yes!
The DIY Mini Plastic Bottle Greenhouse Seed Germination Activity requires simple materials and it doesn’t take long to see results. It pairs beautifully with our Germinating Seeds in a Bag activity! You can watch the whole process from start to finish within the plastic bottle OR you can sprout the seeds in a bag, then transfer them to the DIY greenhouse.
Recommended Grade Level/Uses
For DIY Plastic Bottle Mini Greenhouse:
Learning About Seed Germination:
SEED GERMINATION ACTIVITY FOR PRESCHOOL
PLANTING SEEDS WITH PRESCHOOLERS IS AN AMAZING OPPORTUNITY TO SHOW THE PROCESS FROM SEED TO PLANT.
The best way to learn something is by doing it, right? Growing seeds in preschool is the perfect opportunity to get those green thumbs in the dirt to experience the magic of seed to plant!
Making a mini greenhouse from a plastic bottle doesn’t require many materials, but it teaches many fine scientific processes and principles that your students won’t soon forget. And, they’ll be able to apply the same steps to future science projects and experiments.
Bean seeds are quite easy to grow and they don’t take terribly long to start witnessing change! Trust me, your students will not lose interest while they wait for the seeds to grow because every day they will witness slight changes as the tiny seeds soak up the water and begin the process of germination.
If you’re looking, you’ll probably find 35 seed activities for young kids, all with different variations! I love the simplicity of this experiment. I also love that you can pair it with our seeds in a bag germination activity. What if you started a few seeds in the bottle and a few seeds in a bag and then compared the results?
This gardening activity is ideal in the spring and can be completed anytime:
- Learning center (teacher-directed)
- During a snow storm (yes, some of us get those in the spring) or rainy day
- Outdoors on a more pleasant spring day
- Whole-class science lesson
In addition to learning how a seed becomes a plant, you can teach students about the scientific process:
- What does the seed need to grow?
- How do you think the seed will change overnight? After 2 days? A week?
- Can you draw a picture of the bean each day? How did it change/not change?
- What is your prediction?
What Scientific Principles Can Preschoolers Learn?
EXPLORING THE SCIENTIFIC PROCESS WITH PRESCHOOL SEED ACTIVITIES
PLANTING ACTIVITIES ALLOW KIDS TO GROW KNOWLEDGE ABOUT THE SCIENTIFIC PROCESS OF OBSERVING, HYPOTHESIZING, TESTING, ANALYZING, AND CONCLUDING.
Your students will learn how a seed becomes a plant, but they will also learn the steps to apply to any science experiment:
- Predict
- Experiment
- Watch what happens
- Analyze results
Why Are Seed Activities for Preschoolers Important?
Besides the fact that kids love playing in dirt, there are lots of other reasons to plant seeds and explore other areas of Science.
Tools you’ll need
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How To Make the DIY Greenhouse
How to Make the Activity
Materials:
- Recycled Plastic Bottle
- Potting Soil
- Water/spray bottle
- Scissors
- Beans
Directions:
- Prepare the plastic bottle by washing and drying.
- Cut the bottle about 2/3 from bottom with scissors, reserving the top as a removeable lid.
- Fill the bottom half with soil.
- Place one bean seed into the soil, pushing slightly so that it is firmly in place but not covered entirely.
- Keep moist by removing the lid and spraying the seed every other day or so.
- Place the bottle in a light/sunny window sill. The temperature should be around 70 degrees.
- Wait and watch! It usually takes about a week for the beans to sprout.
Note: You can begin the seeds in a plastic bag with moist paper towel until the seed opens up, or begins to sprout, then place it in the dirt.
Our Favorite Books About Seeds for Preschool:
We can’t live without these!
Once your child’s creativity is sparked with this fun activity, take it a step further with these engaging resources:
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I Spy: A Book of Picture Riddles
Seed Art Projects
Take those leftover beans that didn’t make it into the greenhouse and make something beautiful! Seeds of various colors, shapes, and sizes make great mosaics.
Types of Seeds
As you wait for your bean seeds to sprout, you can explore other types of seeds. Or, consider planting a few different types in your DIY greenhouse to compare results.
Creative Storytelling
Use Gail Gibbons’ book, “From Seed to Plant,” to give your children background knowledge and vocabulary while waiting for your seeds sprout.
