Are you a gardener? I live in awe of you. My black thumb is especially talented. I can kill even the plants that the nursery says everyone can grow. So that’s why I have to share this science project – growing wheatgrass on water beads. Wheatgrass is soooo easy to grow, especially if you put the seeds on water beads. Plus, with water beads, the kids can see everything that’s going on from root to tip. Garden science in five days or less.
This post contains affiliate links.
Wheatgrass on Water Beads Supplies Needed
You don’t need much for this project. Plus you’ll get enough to share with your friends or to send home with your whole class full of kids.
- Wheatgrass seeds {affiliate}
- Clear waterbeads {affiliate}
- Clear vase or other container
How to Grow Wheatgrass on Water Beads
- Pour some water beads into your vase and add water to about 2/3 full. It takes way fewer than you think! My 6″ x 6″ x 6″ vase only needed about a teaspoon of beads. Let them sit for 4-6 hours. If they seem to have run out of water, add more and let them expand until they stop growing. Then drain off remaining water.
- Sprinkle about 1 Tablespoon of wheatgrass seeds on top of the water beads. Place in a sunny spot and watch them grow. And admire how beautiful the grass looks in the vase :)
Wheatgrass is the instant gratification vegetation of the plant world. You’ll see it sprouting in a day, roots popping in two and grass shoots coming out in three. This fully grown vase full of wheat grass only took five days, definitely fast enough to keep the kids’ attention.
To help kids quantify the growth process, you can mark the height of the grass each day on the vase. It’s a perfect chance to get out the ruler and teach some math skills, too.
And let’s not forget to talk about the life cycle of a plant. This fast-paced gardening project is a great tool for talking about the stages in a plant’s life from seed to germination to pollination in flowering plants. I love these books that help tell the story of a plant’s life {affiliate links for your convenience}.
Hands-on Science
Looking for another cool hands-on project that shows how things work? Try this Magnetic Field Sensory Bottle project. It’s totally mesmerizing!
Or sign up for the Left Brain Craft Brain newsletter to get hands-on STE(A)M projects right in your inbox a couple times a month.
28 Days of STEAM – More Learning Fun!
This project is part of an amazing, month-long series of hands on STEAM projects for kids. Click on over to 28 Days of STEAM for 60+ FREE science, tech, engineering, art, and math projects from 30+ education writers. All ready to get your kids excited to learn.
Pingback: 28 Days of STEAM Projects for Kids - Left Brain Craft Brain
Pingback: Awesome STEAM Nature Activities for Kids - Left Brain Craft Brain
Pingback: Earth Day Science Activities for Kids - Left Brain Craft Brain
Pingback: 13 nice and easy nature activities for young kids - Playful Notes
Pingback: Amazing and Educational Earth Day Activities for Kids - Left Brain Craft Brain
Pingback: Earth Day Activities for Kids - Teaching Second Grade
Pingback: These Amazing 22 Plants Can Grow in Jars & Bottles 2022
Pingback: Earth Day Crafts and Activities For Any Classroom - Mrs. D's Corner