Maker Monday: Let’s try starting seeds

Now that spring is in full swing and summer is coming, even the youngest kids may be noticing that plants are sprouting and growing. In this installment of our Maker Monday “Let’s Try” video series, created by our friends at the Children’s Museum of Pittsburgh, kids can grow seeds into plants on their own.

You’ll find all the details on materials and instructions right here, and you can follow along on the video below to learn each easy step. (An important note to kid makers: Please work with a parent or caregiver on every project and always be very careful when using tools of any kind.

Maker Monday materials you’ll need:

• planting pots (use empty plastic water bottles with the tops cut off or other plastic cells)
• potting soil
• a tray for the soil
• seeds (sunflower seeds are one great possibility)
• plastic lid
• scissors
• a permanent marker
• water

Instructions:

• Soak your seeds overnight in water.
• Make labels for each kind of seed you’re using and include the date.
• Mix a little bit of water into your potting soil, so that it feels damp and sort of spongy.
• Then pack your soil into your planting pots.
• If you’re using bigger seeds like sunflower seeds, make little holes in the soil about 1/2 inch deep.
• Place two seeds in each little hole. (Hopefully one of the two will sprout!)
• Add your label near the seeds, so you know what’s growing where.
• Place the pots in a warm place. If the soil looks dry, you can mist it with water in a spray bottle or add a bit of water.
• Depending on your seeds, you will probably see sprouts within a few days or a week or two. Good luck!

Want more at-home fun creating cool stuff and making beautiful things? Check out more Maker Monday projects right here.

Do you have an idea for a Maker Monday craft project? If so, please share it with Kidsburgh! Send your maker activities to info@kidsburgh.org.