Our seed germination experiment allows kids to see up close how a seed grows. Learn about the steps of seed germination and investigate what conditions a seed needs to germinate. Plant experiments are a fantastic addition to spring science lesson plans.
Seed Germination In A Jar
Watching seeds sprout and grow in a clear jar is an exciting way for kids to learn about plant life cycles. This hands-on science activity allows them to observe the germination process up close.
Field of Science: Life Science (Botany) Grade Level: Kindergarten through 4th grade Concepts Explored:
- The plant life cycle and germination
- Basic needs of plants (water, air, and light)
- Root and stem development
- Observation and data recording
🔎 Make sure to explore all of our Plant Experiments for Kids here.
Supplies:
- Paper Towels or cotton wool
- Water
- Seeds (bean plant seeds)
- Large jar
Which Bean Seeds Are Best?
The best bean seeds for the Seed Jar Germination Experiment are:
For best results, soak the beans overnight before placing them in the seed jar to speed up germination.
How To Set Up Your Seed Experiment
STEP 1: Fill the jar with paper towels. Kids can fold them and push them down into the jar. This is also great work for little hands.
STEP 2: Gently water your seed jar to wet the paper towels. DO NOT FLOOD IT!
STEP 3: Carefully push seeds down into the paper towels around the edge of the jar so they can still be seen. Make sure they are firmly held in place.
💡 TIP: One easy way to get your seeds to germinate faster is to presoak them in a shallow container of warm water for up to 24 hours. That will soften the hard outer shell of the seed. Don’t soak for longer, as they may go moldy!
STEP 4: Put your jar in a safe place and check in regularly to observe any changes.
It all starts with a single seed!
Watching how a seed grows and using a mason jar gives you a front-row seat for observing it all! Sprouting seeds is perfect for a spring STEM activity!
🔎 Another fun way to sprout seeds, especially at the end of winter, is with a mini greenhouse made from plastic bottles. Or try growing seeds in a bag.
What Is Seed Germination?
Seed germination is how a seed grows into a new plant. Seeds need the right conditions—water, oxygen, and temperature—to break dormancy and sprout. Some seeds also require light, while others germinate best in darkness.
The conditions for germination vary depending on the type of plant. For example:
- Some seeds need cold temperatures to break dormancy, like apple seeds.
- Others require warmth and moisture, such as beans and sunflowers.
- Some seeds can sprout in low light, while others need direct sunlight.
Stages of Seed Germination
Leaf Development: Once the stem reaches above the soil, the first leaves (cotyledons) appear. At this stage, the plant begins photosynthesis, making its own food from sunlight and carbon dioxide.
Water Absorption: The seed absorbs water, causing it to swell and soften. This breaks the seed coat (outer shell) and activates enzymes inside the seed.
Root Growth: The first root, the radicle, emerges to anchor the seed and absorb water and nutrients.
Shoot Growth: The plant’s stem (shoot) grows upward.
🔎 Investigate how leaves drink water or how plants breathe!
Extension Activities
- Replant the Seedling: Carefully transfer the sprout to soil once leaves form.
- Test Different Variables: Try growing seeds with and without water, light, or air.
- Compare Seed Types: Use different seeds to see which germinate the fastest.
- Measure Growth: Use a ruler to track daily changes in root and stem length.
Turn It Into a Plant Science Experiment!
🔎 Turn this seed jar into a fantastic science fair project. Take a look at our Plant Growth Science Project to get started.
- Younger kids can draw or describe what they see happening each day.
- Older kids can record detailed observations and test different conditions.
Investigation Ideas:
- Do seeds need light to germinate?
- Place one jar in sunlight and another in a dark cupboard. Compare the results.
- Does the amount of water affect germination?
- Set up three jars: one with lots of water, one slightly damp, and one dry. Which seeds grow best?
- Do different types of seeds sprout at the same rate?
- Compare bean, pea, and sunflower seeds under the same conditions.
💡 Learn more about the scientific method for kids and using variables in science experiments!
Free Printable Bean Life Cycle Worksheets
Extend the learning of this hands-on project with this free bean life cycle mini pack!
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 the art supplies you have on hand to create a 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.
- Learn about capillary action with a colorful celery experiment
- Grab some leaves and find out how plants breathe with this simple plant experiment.
- Learn about how water moves through the veins in a leaf.
- Explore how light, water, and temperature affect plants with this plant growth experiment.
- Find out what are easy flowers to grow!
Printable Plant Activities Pack
Explore 20+ Plant Activities for Kids! 🌱 Looking for fun and educational plant-themed activities? This comprehensive Plant Activity Pack is perfect for early elementary school grades, providing hands-on learning experiences that fit any skill level! These activities are ideal for classroom and at-home learning, whether for fall or spring science lessons.
This is what we should have done – instead we tried plastic bags to grow the seeds in, and they got foggy with condensation so it was hard to see the root! Aw, well. Lesson learned. Next time – grow them in a jar! lol!
We just started our beans in a jar last week. Looking forward to seeing what happens this week.
We’ve just done the same 🙂 Put the beans in the jar instead plastic bags 🙂 Mr Frog is so excited observing the bean growing!
Wonderful learning activity! Thanks for linking up at the Thoughtful Spot Weekly Blog Hop!
My girlie is very curious about planting and asks tons of questions about the seeds and what happens with them in the soil. This is a great way to show her clearly enough the whole process of the seed’s growing. Thank you for this idea!
What kind of pea seeds did you use?
Good question. I don’t remember the band or name but it was a common package from the store.
This looks like so much fun! Can’t wait to try with my 4 and 2 year old son and daughter. We’re always looking for affordable, educational and fun activities. This is perfect. Happy to have stumbled onto this site!
Do you cover the jar? Do they need to be near a sunny window? Are you supposed to water them? Thanks!
Wonderful! Thank you!
Hi! I did not cover the jar. They were on a table in front of window that did get sunlight at some point during the day. We did not water daily. I added a tiny bit here and there but not much at all. We actually went away for a week and came back to them being so tall which you can see in the picture above. Thats a week with no water what so ever!
What kind of beans did you use? Pinto? I’m wanting to start this activity here soon with my little in-home daycare. 🙂
We used green beans, sunflowers, and green peas!
Just double checking no soil, just paper towels. This is our spring break project. I can’t wait.
Right no soil!
hello! I’m going to try this with my kindergarten class. Did you use dried green beans infrom a bag (like at the supermarket)? Or fresh ones?
Where did you get your seeds? Did you buy them fresh and pick the seed out off the pods or take it out of the shell?
I’m interested in doing this but I don’t want to buy the wrong ones.
Simple seed packets from the grocery store!
that was so cool
What a great learning activity. I am featuring this with a link on my blog.
We are getting ready to start this project today with our preschool class. One thing i have not been able to find is, how much water/how wet do the paper towels need to be?’
super cool!!!
U just use dried peas you get in a box steep them over night then plant them absolutely excellent outcome 4 kids and grown ups alike lol
Interesting! Share a picture!
you teach me something thanks very much.
besides seed jar science is there anything else that kids can do?
What do you mean? Feel free to email me sarah@littlebinsforlittlehands.com
I cant wait to try this out with the 4 year old children at the our Early Learning Centres
I am grateful to have found this page. Thank you so much.
At any point do you add soil to the jar or transfer the plant out so it can grow bigger? If transferring, what’s the best way to move them out of the jar and into a pot? What stage of growth should they be at before doing so? Does this method work for any type of seeds? This is perfect for the plant project I want to start with my in-home daycare but I wanted to use seeds from foods they eat and can replant as a way of incorporating recycling into the other lessons learned but I’m new to all of this including being a first time mom/in-home daycare owner and have lots of questions lol! Thank you in advance for your time, patients, and wisdom! 🙂
You could potentially transfer it! We did not. You wouldn’t add soil to the jar though. Makes a great experiment to see if it takes outside or in a pot!
Since we are getting to spring, a seed germination jar is a perfect activity. Thanks
I’m confused on what kind of bean seed to use do I use mung bean seeds, or soybean seeds? Or even adzuki bean sprouts?
Hi! You can use a variety of bean seeds. Mung are a good choice as well as lima beans which are large and easy to see. I will add a list to the article with approximate sprouting times.
I love your products!!! my first grade grandson, Connor Keith, just got admitted to Gifted Program in Troup County- LaGrange Georgia- at Hollis Hand ELEMENTARY. If you ever want to field test products, let me know.
Hi Beth,
That’s awesome! Feel free to reach out to me at sarah@littlebinsforlittlehands.com
My jar is growing tiny bits of black mold all over the paper towels should I abandon it? I hope I can do something about it can I transfer the beans they are already sprouting I don’t know if I can.
Hi Maya,
It may have gotten too wet inside the jar. You can certainly try and transfer them, but we have not had to do that yet. A great spin to put on it is that everything is an experiment!