Kids Science: What makes plants grow?

Whether looking for something educational or something entertaining, growing grass seed fits the bill.  My son didn't even know that he was learning science and responsibility in one activity.  We got this kit from the library program on science for kids but it is super easy to make your own.

There are only a few necessary items including:  4 small cups (like a little condiment cup) with holes in the bottom so that the water can go through and drain, 4 lids to act as bases to the cups, dirt and seeds.  Here they are with the grass already growing.  I didn't think to take a picture before we started because we were both so excited to get started.

Then, you make cards for each of the four cups for the different weather conditions.  Each card is set next to the cup so that the kids know whether it is sun or shade and whether to water it.  Here is a picture of the cards that we used.

Check these out or look for your own for rain clouds or sun by clicking on the link below them!

Source of rain                                       Source of Sun

We took a notebook and made observations after the first (and only) container started to grow.  We drew 4 circles on the page and drew what they looked like inside the cup.

Then my son crossed through the signs to match the signs on the plants.

When we were done with the pictures, we determine that the only one that was growing was in the sun and getting water so we thought that we should put them all in the sun and give them water.  Shortly after, all of them started grow.  My son was still excited by "his grass" but wasn't interested in watching them grow anymore so they are going to be transplanted into the yard somewhere. 

I hope that this sounds like something fun that you can do with your kids.  There are tons of variations on the plan but I think that it is neat they learn that sun and water is needed for growing plants.  If you are growing a garden, it would be fun to plant some seeds and see if they grow because the kids maybe interested in them a little longer especially if food starts appearing!!

If you don't have plastic cups with lids, use any container that you have around the house or make your own out of a toilet paper or paper towel roll.  Here are some directions:

1.  Flatten the roll a little.

2.  Make cuts in the bottom so that they can be sealed up (at least four maybe more depending on the cardboard)

3.  Fold to make container

4.  Fill with soil and get ready to plant!!

These can be used to make lots of seedlings at the end of the winter so that you can plant when the weather turns warm or for a great science experiment but make sure you keep them on a waterproof surface because the bottom is going to get a little more messy.

**Hint:  If you have little ones watering, I gave mine the measuring top of the medicine container so that he wouldn't over water the plants.  If you give them a big cup or a watering can, you could have your whole house watered!!  Good luck and happy planting!!