Science Experiments for Kids to Understand Plants

Science experiments for kids based on plants and flowers are perhaps one of the best ways to engage kids during their spring breaks. What can be a more befitting way to live spring than with plants? Then let’s get to work with these cool science ideas.

Science experiment for kids #1

Spider Plant Leaf in cross section by green.thumb

Do plants breathe?

You always heard that plants are living beings. Have you ever conducted a science experiment to see that for yourself? Try this.

Supplies:

• Vine leaf or any large leaf
• Clear nail polish
• Clear tape
• Tweezers
• Magnifying glass made for home use (unless you have a professional one!)

Directions:

• Apply a coat of clear nail polish on the non-shiny side of the leaf. Leave it to dry.
• Pull out the thin layer of nail polish with the help of tweezers.
• Place it under a microscope and have a good look.
• Can you tiny holes on the leaves? These are the stomata of the leaf. If you can’t see any stomata, repeat the above steps with another leaf.

What are stomata?

Stomata are tiny openings on leaves that allow plants to exchange gases necessary for cellular processes, such as photosynthesis, and for letting out oxygen and water vapor.

Science experiment for kids #2

Portrait of a Bean by Laura Billings

Jack’s Beanstalk

If you’ve read the story of “Jack and the Beanstalk”, it’s time you grow a beanstalk for yourself at home. Just follow these easy steps.

Supplies:

• 
  Water
  
• 
  Paper towel
  
• 
  A handful of fried beans
  
• 
  Clear plastic container (use leftover containers from the kitchen)
  
• 
  A sunny window sill
  
  
  

Directions:

• 
  Roll up the paper towel and place it inside the plastic container.
  
• 
  Throw in a handful of dried beans down the side of the container so that they are positioned between the paper towel and the side of the container.
  
• 
  Pour enough water to moisten the paper towel.
  
• 
  Now place the container on a window sill that receives plenty of sunlight every day.
  
• 
  Keep a watch on the beans. Are they growing? You’ll be surprised to see how fast the beans will grow stalk! Would you believe now that plant is a living being?
  
• 
  Keep adding water to the beans if you want them to continue to grow.
  
  
  

What happened?

What just happened is known as germination. It is the process by which a plant grows from a seed.

Science experiment for kids #3

Dew by Susanne Nilsson

Do plants lose water?

Yes, plants let out moisture and oxygen that sustain mankind in exchange. It’s time to experiment and see for yourself the moisture that plants let out.

Supplies

• A plant
• String or a rubber band
• Clear plastic bag

Directions

• Hold several leaves of a plant together in a bunch and slip over the plastic bag over them. The experiment will have better results on a bush or a shrub.
• Gather the open end of the bag and fasten it with string or rubber band making sure that you have sealed the leaves inside the bag.
• Leave the plant for at least a day.
• Go back to observe the plant the next day. Do you notice moisture or tiny water droplets on the cover? That’s the moisture that the plant let out over the course of a day.

Did you know?

Plants lose water through stomata. The water dew that you saw in the inside of the plastic bag was let out from the stomata.