10 Kids Spring Seed & Plant Growing Activities to Try at Home

As soon as spring arrives, you cannot keep me and my kids inside. We love sunshine and dirt, and I am all about the value of teaching my kids where their food comes from and how a simple seed can turn into something great. That’s why we love these simple seed and plant growing activities – as a bonus, they work at so many different ages we use them year after year too!

Even if you don’t have much outdoor space, some simple seed and plant lessons aren’t out of reach – most can be done from a kitchen table and a window with some good daylight. And it’s the perfect way to get a taste of spring when we’re still in that tricky “I think it’s spring but really it’s 25 degrees outside” phase of the year.

1. Egg Carton Seed Trays

Turn an empty cardboard egg carton into the cutest little mini greenhouse.

Why kids love it: Each cup becomes its own “plant home,” which feels manageable and exciting.
What to plant: Lettuce, basil, marigolds, or zinnias.

Once seedlings are ready, you can plant the entire biodegradable carton straight into the garden or planter!

2. Milk Jug Indoor Greenhouse

Cut a gallon milk jug almost all the way around, fill with soil, plant seeds, tape it closed, and place near a sunny window.

It acts like a mini greenhouse — trapping warmth and moisture inside.

3. Clear Cup Root Viewer

Plant a bean seed in a clear plastic cup so kids can actually see the roots growing.

Layer soil around the sides and press the seed against the cup wall for the best view.

Why kids love it:
Kids usually only see what grows above ground. This lets them witness what’s happening underneath.

Perfect for preschool and early elementary science lessons.

4. Paper Towel & Ziplock Seed Sprouting

This classic never gets old, I still remember it from elementary school!

Place a damp paper towel and a few bean seeds inside a ziplock bag. Tape it to a sunny window and watch roots and shoots appear within days.

5. DIY Nature Seed Bombs

Mix wildflower seeds with soil and clay to create little seed balls.

Let them dry, then toss them into bare garden spots.

Best part: It feels adventurous and playful.
Teaches: Native plants, pollinators, and environmental care.

6. Window Herb Garden

7. Painted Rock Plant Markers

8. Grass Head Cups

Fill a cup with soil and sprinkle grass seed on top. Add googly eyes and draw a face. In about a week, your “friend” will have green hair. Perfect use for cat grass if you’ve got a feline family member!

Best part: It gives quick results. Grass sprouts fast, which keeps younger kids engaged and excited.

Bonus: Let kids practice safe scissor skills when giving their grass head a “haircut.”

9. Grow a Sweet Potato Vine in Water

This one feels like a science experiment and a houseplant all in one.

Stick toothpicks into a sweet potato and suspend it over a jar of water so the bottom half sits in the water. Place it in a sunny window and watch roots grow down while leafy vines grow up.

It’s fascinating for kids because growth happens both above and below the water line.

Bonus idea: Let kids measure the vine each week and track growth in a simple notebook.

10. Backyard Garden Bed Planning

Before planting outdoors, let kids draw their garden plan.

This builds early problem-solving and ownership over the space. It’s fun to see how kids brains work as they plan out the garden, and the ownership of the process makes them more excited to eat the delicious foods that they’ll harvest later in the summer!

Why Spring Seed and Plant Growing Activities Are So Good for Kids

And maybe most importantly — they create memories of muddy hands, sunshine, and watching something grow.