Unearth the wonders of plant science and the captivating world of botany with our collection of fun and educational plant science experiments for kids.
Plant experiments are a great way for kids to learn about the natural world and the science behind plant growth and development. Plants play a crucial role in the ecosystem, as they provide food, oxygen, and even medicine to treat diseases. Therefore, it’s important for kids to understand how plants function and how they impact our lives and the environment.
These hands-on activities are designed to spark curiosity, foster a love for nature, and nurture a deeper understanding of the amazing world of plants. From germinating seeds in a jar to creating mini-ecosystems, these experiments will not only educate but also provide endless entertainment for your little ones.
So, gather your young explorers and join us as we dive into the fascinating realm of plant science, unveiling the secrets of growth, reproduction, and survival in the plant kingdom. Let the adventure begin!
Fun Plant Science Experiments for Kids
Seed Germination Experiments
Growing Beans in a Bag
Want to learn more about the plant life cycle and the role of seeds in plant growth? Follow this step-by-step guide on how to grow beans in a plastic bag.
Your kids will love observing the bean’s growth over time. The plastic bag and paper towel will allow the kids to see the root formation. And then when the beans reach the seedling stage, your kids can transplant them into the soil to continue to grow until maturity.
How to Grow Seeds in Cotton Balls
Similar to the growing beans in a bag experiment, this easy and fun plant activity is a classic science experiment to do with elementary school kids.
How to Grow Seeds in Water Beads
Water beads are made out of water-absorbing polymer gel and can expand up to 200 times their original size. It’s no wonder that kids love playing with water beads!
Before water beads became a popular toy for kids, they were made to maintain moisture for house plants by releasing water slowly into the soil.
Using clear water beads in a jar, your kids can watch as the seeds absorb water, swell, and eventually sprout roots and shoots. Seed germination in a jar is an engaging way for kids to learn about the early stages of plant growth.
Do Seeds Need Light to Germinate?
Seeds require moisture and oxygen to germinate, but do they need light? The answer might surprise you!
Explore whether or not seeds need light to germinate and grow into healthy plants with this hands-on plant experiment for kids. You can conduct the experiment with whatever seeds you have available at home, or even test out how different seeds respond to light and complete darkness.
Germinate Seeds with Drip Irrigation System
How do plants get the water they need to grow? Drip irrigation is one of the most efficient ways to water the plants. Using targeted hydration while reducing water waste and promoting healthy plant growth, drip irrigation works by delivering water directly to the roots of the plants.
We got the Drip Irrigation System crate from the KiwiCo Store to show my kids the science of irrigation and the different ways that people bring water to dry land to grow crops. The crate came with the Tinker Zine booklet, which provided a detailed explanation of the science behind drip irrigation, as well as additional activities such as the plastic bottle sprinkler and recycled bottle drippers.
Using the blueprint with kid-friendly instructions and illusions, my kids were able to construct the water tower and trellis and set up the planter pots all by themselves.
To drain water out of the water tower into the irrigation line, we use a siphon. First, we had to push all the air out of the tube by filling the tube with water using a syringe. The kids were amazed to see the water climb up the tube against gravity from the water cup.
After getting the water to flow through the tube, you just need to adjust the drippers to ensure that the water is dripping out at the desired rate.
After a few days, the seeds started germinating. The beans and wheatgrass seeds really took off after germination, sprouting leaves and shooting upward. The watermelon seeds took longer, but eventually, they started to grow as well.
This drip irrigation crate is part of KiwiCo’s Tinker Crate subscription line, which is designed for kids to build their problem-solving and critical thinking skills through hands-on STEM activities. My kids loved watching the seeds grow every day, and we are going to keep our mini drip irrigation system around to germinate new seeds!
Plant Parts Science Projects
Easy Leaf Transpiration Experiment
You already know that plants need water to grow, right? They take up water from the soil through their roots. But did you know that most of this water doesn’t stay in the plant? That’s where transpiration comes in.
Leaf transpiration is like plants sweating! Just like how we lose water when we sweat, plants lose water through their leaves. And you can see this amazing process in action with this easy leaf transpiration experiment!
Using leaf chromatography, you can separate the pigments in a leaf and find out why leaves change colors in the fall. This plant experiment is a great opportunity for you and your kids to take a nature walk around your neighborhood and discover all the leaf varieties in your area.
Celery and Food Coloring Science Experiment
You might have heard that you should water the roots and not the leaves of a plant. How then does water travel from the ground up to the stem and to the leaves?
With this simple food coloring and celery experiment, your kids will be able to visually see how capillary action and the forces of adhesion and cohesion help to move water up the xylem to the leaves.
What Happens When You Put Pine Cones in Water?
If your kids love nature, chances are that you have a pile of pine cones collecting dust in your house. Put those pine cones to good use through this fascinating experiment that demonstrates the pine cone’s unique adaptation for survival and reproduction.
Gardening Science Experiments
How to Make a Worm Farm in a Jar
Worms are an important part of our ecosystem. They are vital in breaking down organic matter and aerating and enriching the soil.
By mimicking the worms’ natural habitat in a clear glass jar, your children will be able to observe the worms tunneling through the different layers of soil, eating the organic matter, and producing nutrient-rich castings.
Plant Life Cycle for Kids [Free Worksheets]
Although this set of free printable plant life cycle worksheets is not a plant science experiment, it’s worth a mention here as you can use it to teach your kids the plant life cycle in detail. Understanding the plant life cycle helps kids appreciate the intricate process that plants undergo from seed to maturity.
Next time you see a plant or a flower, think about all the stages it has gone through to become what it is today!
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