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Let's Grow Plants!

Let's Grow Plants!
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Plant seeds in cups, learn to water and care for them, track growth measurements, and observe how light and soil affect plant development.

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Step-by-step guide to grow plants from seeds

What you need
Adult supervision required, clear plastic cups or small pots, fast growing seeds such as beans or radish, marker, notebook and pencil, potting soil, ruler or measuring tape, small sand or pebbles (optional), spoon, tray or plate, water

Step 1

Gather all your materials and clear a small workspace where you can keep your plants safe.

Step 2

Use the marker to write three labels on the cups Sunny_Normal Shade_Normal and Sunny_Changed.

Step 3

Put the tray or plate on your table to hold the cups and catch extra water.

Step 4

Fill each cup about three quarters full with potting soil using the spoon or your hands.

Step 5

Put one spoonful of sand or pebbles into the cup labeled Sunny_Changed and mix it into the top layer of soil with the spoon.

Step 6

Make a small hole about 1 centimeter deep in the center of each cup using your finger or the back of the spoon.

Step 7

Drop one or two seeds into the hole in each cup.

Step 8

Gently cover the seeds with soil so they are not exposed to light.

Step 9

Water each cup with two tablespoons of water so all cups get the same amount.

Step 10

Put the cups labeled Sunny_Normal and Sunny_Changed on a sunny windowsill and put Shade_Normal in a darker spot away from direct sun.

Step 11

Use the ruler to measure any sprout height or note the soil level for each cup and write those numbers in your notebook.

Step 12

Decide how often you will check and water your plants (for example every two days) and write that schedule in your notebook.

Step 13

Share your finished creation and what you observed about light and soil on DIY.org.

Final steps

You're almost there! Complete all the steps, bring your creation to life, post it, and conquer the challenge!

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Help!?

What can I use instead of potting soil or plastic cups if they are hard to find?

If you can't find potting soil, mix garden soil with a handful of shredded paper or compost for lighter texture, and use clean yogurt containers, jars, or tins labeled with the marker instead of disposable cups.

My seeds didn't sprout or the soil stayed too wet—what could be wrong and how do I fix it?

If seeds don't sprout or soil stays soggy, make sure you made a 1 centimeter hole and covered the seed, only used two tablespoons of water per cup, gently loosen the topsoil, and move cups to the sunny windowsill (Sunny_Normal/Sunny_Changed) while updating your watering schedule in the notebook.

How can I adapt this activity for younger or older children?

For younger kids, have an adult pre-fill and label the cups with the marker, use larger seeds and supervise the 1 cm hole and watering, while older children can vary the spoonful of sand in Sunny_Changed, take precise ruler measurements, and keep a detailed notebook.

How can we extend or personalize the experiment after planting?

You can personalize it by decorating the cups, adding more soil variations or a control cup without sand, measuring sprouts with the ruler over time, keeping photos and notes in the notebook, and sharing results for Sunny_Normal, Sunny_Changed, and Shade_Normal on DIY.org.

Watch videos on how to grow plants from seeds

Here at SafeTube, we're on a mission to create a safer and more delightful internet. 😊

How Plants Grow: A Fun And Educational Video For Kids

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Facts about gardening for kids

☀️ Plants turn sunlight into food through photosynthesis, so even a little extra light can speed up seedling growth.

📏 Seedlings can grow several centimeters in just a week — tracking height helps you spot fast changes and patterns.

🪴 Soil matters: potting mix drains and feeds seedlings better than heavy garden dirt, so your cup garden will do best with light, airy soil.

🌱 Some seeds can stay dormant for centuries — the oldest successfully sprouted seed was nearly 2,000 years old!

💧 Young plants are mostly water (many plants are 80–90% water), so gentle, regular watering helps them thrive.

How do you do the Let's Grow Plants! activity?

To do 'Let's Grow Plants!', start by filling clear plastic cups with potting soil and planting one or two seeds at the depth recommended on the packet. Label each cup and water gently so soil is moist but not soggy. Place cups where they get appropriate light, measure height with a ruler every few days, and record observations in a notebook. Encourage experimenting by changing light or soil for different cups.

What materials do I need for Let's Grow Plants!?

You'll need small clear cups or recycled containers, potting soil, seeds (beans or sunflowers are easy), a spoon, a spray bottle or small cup for watering, markers or labels, a ruler or measuring tape, and a notebook to track growth. Optional items: tray to catch water, grow lamp or sunny window, plant tags, and pH test strips if you want to compare soils.

What ages is the Let's Grow Plants! activity suitable for?

This activity suits toddlers through teens with age-appropriate tasks. Ages 3–5: supervised scooping, planting, and watering to build fine motor skills. Ages 6–8: measuring growth, recording observations, and simple comparisons. Ages 9–12: design small experiments changing light or soil and analyze results. Teens can lead experimental planning and data tracking. Always supervise young children, and adapt tools for safety and independence.

What are the benefits, safety tips, and variations for Let's Grow Plants!?

Growing plants teaches observation, responsibility, measuring skills, and basic science concepts like photosynthesis and variables. Safety: use child-safe potting mix, avoid sharp tools, wash hands after handling soil, and supervise younger kids. Variations: try different seed types, test soil mixes or light levels, use recycled containers or create a classroom growth chart. Take photos to build a visual timeline and compare results over weeks.
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