Growing seeds in eggshells is a neat way to engage preschoolers and show them the stages of seed growth! Planting seeds with kids is the perfect foundation for earth sciences and a great catalyst for discussion about what plants need to grow and be healthy. Make sure to check out all the different types of seed growing experiments.

Egg Shell Seed Growing Science Activity and Spring Science for KidsPin

How To Grow Seeds In Eggshells

I decided to try growing seeds in eggshells after the success of our Seed Germination Experiment. I wanted my son to be able to get his hands dirty and check out the seeds growing in the dirt this time!

Supplies:

  • 24 Egg Shells
  • Soil
  • Seeds ( use a couple of different types of seeds to compare, peas and sunflowers)
  • Water
  • Spoon or small scoop
Egg Shell Seed Growing Planting Seeds for Spring SciencePin

Set Up:

STEP 1:  Set up your eggshells in the egg cartons and fill with the soil. We used a couple of different types of seeds, so we made sure to separate one set of eggs from another.

TIP: Check out our list of easy flowers to grow!

STEP 2:  Push one seed gently into the soil of each eggshell, making sure the seed is covered with dirt.

STEP 3:  Use a small spray bottle or similar to dampen the soil. Do not over water!

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The Stages of Seed Growth

We gave the seeds three days to start the process on their own, and then each day we opened up one or two new egg shells to examine the seed and note the changes taking place.

This seed growing activity is terrific for developing observation skills. Have a magnifying glass ready for your little scientist!

What are we looking for in each eggshell?

  • looking for seeds to get fatter
  • looking for a root to pop out of the side
  • looking for root to push down into the soil
  • looking for root hairs
  • looking for the seed to push up while the root hairs push down
  • looking for shoots to come up
Egg Shell Seed Growing First Observations of Seed GrowthPin

First, the seed absorbs water. This causes the seed to swell and the outer coating to break. Then the seed starts to break down some of the food that is stored in it. Most seeds will need oxygen in the air in the soil for this to happen.

Eventually, when the seed has grown leaves it can make its own oxygen and absorb carbon dioxide through photosynthesis.

Once the seed coat breaks open, the first root grows, called the radicle. In almost all plants, the root comes before the shoot.

Once the root starts to grow, it can now absorb water and nutrients from the soil, instead of getting it from the seed coat.

After the root, the plant’s stem starts to grow. When it reaches above the ground, the leaves begin to grow. This is when the plant no longer has to rely on the stored starch (cotyledon) that comes from the seed.

Free Printable Bean Life Cycle Mini Pack

Extend the learning of this hands-on project with this free bean life cycle mini pack!

Tips For Growing Seeds In The Classroom

Ask lots of questions as you open up your eggshells! Help your kids hone their observation skills by asking questions that encourage them to take a closer look at what’s in front of them.

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Don’t leave it too long to break open your shells and have a look at what’s happening! Our sunflower seeds popped a root the fastest and we missed it!

Older kids might enjoy drawing their results each day to look back on later. To extend the activity further, kids can label the different stages of the seed growth, draw the life cycle of a seed, and keep daily field notes and write down observations.

Egg Shell Seed Growing 4Pin

More Fun Plant Activities For Kids

Looking for more plant lesson plans? Here are few suggestions for fun plant activities that would be perfect for preschoolers and elementary kids.

Learn about the apple life cycle with these fun printable activity sheets!

Use art and craft supplies you have on hand to create your own parts of a plant craft.

Learn the parts of a leaf with our printable coloring page.

Use a few simple supplies you have on hand to grow these cute grass heads in a cup.

Grab some leaves and find out how plants breath with this simple plant experiment.

Learn about how water moves through the veins in a leaf.

Find out why leaves change color with our printable lapbook project.

Use this seed bomb recipe and make them as a gift or even for Earth Day.

Printable Spring STEM Activities Pack

Perfect for use in both the home and in the classroom!

  • 30+ Spring science/STEM activities with journal pages, supply lists, set up and process, pictures, and science information. Easy to set up, fun, and fit into the time you have available even if it’s limited!
  • Spring theme best science practices and the scientific method posters. What does it mean to be a scientist?
  • Learn all about parts of a plant and photosynthesis! How do leaves breathe, drink, and grow?
  • Explore the rock cycle with edible recipes, DIY books, a rock collecting pack, vocabulary, and puzzles! 
  • Learn about soil layers or the layers of the earth through hands-on activities.
  • What’s the weather like? Clouds, rain, tornados, and more. Explore the water cycle, where does all that rain go?
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3 Comments

  1. Exploring seeds is so fun! I love the egg shell idea (much easier to break them open when it’s time! lol!)

  2. Pingback: Spring Science Ideas with Family Fun Friday!
  3. Pingback: Spring STEM Activities and Plant Science Activities for Kids