Are you looking for a fun yet educational activities for your children? Sprouting is one of the best options you have. For children, it is amazing to see what a small seed can turn into a beautiful green plant, with a bit of care. Also, children can consume the results of their work, which is great for parents who try to make the young ones eat more veggies. Considering that the cold season is almost here, which means fewer activities enjoyed in the outdoors, it is worth taking sprouting into consideration, as an indoor activity. So, take a few minutes to find out more about how sprouting can help your children develop in a harmonious manner.
What kind of skills can be developed with the help of sprouting?
Sprouting is an activity that teaches children more about nature and reveals the science behind the appearance of plants. Children love the process of sprouting because it seems fascinating to them how a tiny seed can develop a miniature plant. Plus, there are numerous activities children can enjoy with the help of plant seeds, which are safe, natural, and accessible materials any parent can provide.
First of all, children learn how nature works and end up appreciating it more. You need to explain to the child that the seed invests a large amount of energy to create the small green plant they can see growing. It is also the best opportunity for them to see how food grows, how forests come to the world, and how a tree or flower is born. Of course, with the help of certain seeds, the sprouting process takes place in just a few days. But children must know that there are seeds and plants that take much longer to grow, an aspect that will introduce a responsible approach toward nature.
Sprouting is also great because it feeds the natural curiosity of children and helps them learn more about the basic laws of nature. It is a game that can introduce them to farming and food making. They can learn that food doesn’t come that easy, by simply going to the grocery store and buying it, as they see their parents doing. Someone makes sure seeds sprout and grow, by treating them with care, so they can be later on harvested and served as food.
Although it doesn’t seem like a scientific project, sprouting is a gradual and soft introduction to science. The processes that happen inside a seed, which lead to the creation of the plant, are scientific processes. Also, just like in the case of other scientific processes, seeds require certain conditions in order to sprout, which need to be met for successful sprouting.
How to do sprouting?
Sprouting is a very easy yet interesting activity you can do indoors when the weather outside is unpleasant. It’s like inviting nature indoors when the weather doesn’t allow you to enjoy the outdoors. To enjoy sprouting, you first need natural, raw seeds. You can get them from the farmer’s market or gardening stores. However, if you want the sprouts to become a source of food for your children, it is recommended to check the provenience of the seeds. Ideally, they should not be treated with any kind of chemicals or to be suitable for human consumption.
What kind of seeds is suitable for sprouting? You will need seeds that don’t take long to sprout, as children don’t have too much patience. Choose sunflower seeds, beans, peas, wheat, or alfalfa. From reliable sources, you can also get non-GMO organic seeds to grow microgreens like broccoli, beets, radish, and other edible and healthy plants.
Other materials you will need for sprouting are potting mix and pots or small plastic contains, but also glass jars and paper towels. You see, seeds just need a warm and moist environment to grow, which can be created with the help of moist paper towels, placed in a jar that will be positioned in a warm room. The best part about using glass jars is that the young ones can see the seeds sprouting right from the start. When planting seeds in a pot, they will have to be patient for the little plant to reach the surface. Both the pot and paper towels in the jar will have to be moistened periodically by spraying water onto their surface.
Step-by-step guide on how to sprout seeds
1. Select the seeds you are going to use for the sprouting process.
2. Choose a recipient of small sizes; it can be a plastic pot or glass jar.
3. Fill the recipient with the adequate substrate for the seedlings; if you want to use a pot, you will need a potting mix; if you want to use a glass jar, fill it with folded paper towels
4. Place the seeds in the container; if you’re planting them in a pot with soil, make sure to cover them with a thin layer of soil, then water them lightly by dripping or spraying water on them; if you’re placing them in a jar, make sure they are surrounded by paper towels, using a spray with water to moisten the paper towels.
5. Place the pot or jar in a warm and bright place; the seedlings will need light once they emerge.
6. Be patient and check the moisture of the soil or paper towels daily; if you sense dryness, spray a bit more water on the soil or in the j
Enjoy activities with plant seeds and even look for recipes with fresh sprouts.
There are numerous activities you can do with seeds, such as identifying seeds and selecting them based on categories. You can, for example, be creative when it comes to the sprouting environment of the seeds. For instance, you can use empty eggshells, filled with potting soil, as an environment for seeds to grow. The eggshells can be creatively decorated by children. Just make sure to clean them up before this operation.
Also, children are more willing to eat the sprouts if they are cultivated and harvested by themselves. Thus, it is a great way to add nutritious foods to their menu. You can even help your children look for recipes with sprouts online. To make things safe, first, show your child how sprouting is done. Then allow the young one to get involved if he or she feels ready, by taking each step at a time.
