Easy Plant Experiments

Plant experiments are a fun easy way to teach your child about nature. These activities will teach your child about the life cycle of a plant, how strong a plant can be, and how a plant takes up nutrients.

A good time to start learning about plants is in the late winter when you can find gardening seeds at your local nursery.

How Do Plants Grow?

For the next two plant experiments you will need some large bean seeds. If you are working with preschoolers, get the largest beans that you can find. Lima beans are easy to work with.

You can try to use dried bean seeds from your kitchen pantry. The seeds from your pantry may or may not grow. It is best to get fresh bean seeds from your garden store.

To dissect a seed you will need to large bean seeds, a magnifying glass, and a tooth pick. Soak one of the beans in water overnight. In the morning have your child observe both seeds. He should record his observations in a notebook. Have your child remove the coat from the soaked seed. Then he can divide the soaked bean in half. With the magnifying glass have your child observe the seed embryo. Have your child also try to find the leaves, stem, and root in the embryo.

Your child can observe how a seed grows by placing a damp paper towel in a Ziploc bag. Place some bean seeds in the bag and place the bag in a sunny location. You can also plant your seed in a plastic cup. Fill the cup half full with dirt. Add the seed between the dirt and cup's edge so that you can see the seed.

What Do Plants Need?

Here are some plant experiments to show what most plants need to grow.

You will need dirt, seeds and two cups. Plant seeds in both cups. Try to plant the seeds at the same depth in both cups. Water the seeds. Place one cup in a dark cupboard and the other cup in sunny windowsill. Have your child record what he observes in a notebook.

You could put a third cup of seeds in the refrigerator or freezer to see the affects of cold on plant life.

The next experiment shows that plants need water to survive. Plant three cups with seeds. In one cup measure enough water so that the dirt is moist, but not soggy. In another cup make the dirt soggy. Don't water the third cup. Continue to keep the dirt moist, soggy, and dry. Watch what happens.

How Do Plants Drink?

Here is a fun experiment to show how plants drink. Take a piece of celery or a white carnation and place it in a glass of colored water. The celery or flower will change color.

How Strong Are Plants?

Have your child fill a clear plastic cup half full with soil. Add three bean seeds to the soil. Mix some plaster of Paris with water. Place the mixture over the soil. The plant should break the plaster of Paris when it sprouts.

Other Plant Experiments

Have your child grow mold on a piece of bread. Place one slice of bread in a Ziploc bag. Dampen another piece of bread and let sit out for about an hour. Then place the damp bread in a Ziploc bag. Have your child watch what happens. Explain to your child that some plants reproduce with spores that are in the air.

Books on the Study of Plants

Here are two books that will explain about the plant kingdom. Each book also has more plant experiments. You can buy the books at Christian Book Distributors.

Exploring Creation with Botany, Textbook By Jeannie K. Fulbright / Apologia Educational Ministries Introduce your young naturalists to plants---their structure, propagation, classification, and more---with this engaging yearlong classical science curriculum. Influenced by Charlotte Mason and the living books philosophy, homeschooling mother Jeannie Fulbright writes as if she were chatting with her own children, defining and explaining at their comprehension level. Designed to be used with both readers and non-readers, each clearly organized lesson features content-rich narration; notebooking; and hands-on activities and projects using easy-to-find household items. Dissect seeds, force bulbs, make leaf skeletons---and take a close-up look at God's flora kingdom. Grades K to 6. 176 pages, hardcover.

God's Design for Life: The World of Plants Teacher & Student Pack By Debbie & Richard Lawrence / Answers In Genesis The biblically based "Gods Design for Life" series was designed by homeschoolers for homeschoolers! This two-book set includes the student book "The World of Plants", along with the World of Plants teacher's supplement with CD-ROM. Designed for grades 1-8, full-color photos, diagrams, illustrations, special features and fun facts make learning about every aspect of science enjoyable, while key concepts are continually reinforced and explored through chapter review and activities. Color-coded by age group, chapter reviews are separated for 1st-2nd grade, 3rd-5th grade and 6th-8th grade students. This easy-to-use curriculum is ideal for anyone who wants to teach science from a young-earth, creationist point of view. The book contains 35 lessons with one final project to merge all the lessons together. Partially reproducible pages, softcover with glossary and index. Grades 1-8. NKJV Scripture used. The Teacher Supplement features an introduction and answer-key for the book's questions; the Student Supplement CD-ROM contains printable student worksheets & tests. This kit includes: The World of Plants Student Book The World of Plants Teacher's Supplement with CD-ROM

Plant experiments can teach your child about nature. They are easy fun homeschool activities that the whole family can do. They can also be fun science fair projects for your homeschool co-op.

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