Discover the Magic of Plant Growth with Nine Hands-On Activities
Transform your Year 2 Science lessons with this comprehensive resource featuring nine engaging activities that help children explore how plants grow, what they need to survive, and the amazing journey from seed to flowering plant through practical investigation and observation.
Nine Complete Activities Included:
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Sorting Seeds: Explore the incredible diversity of seeds! Sort and classify seeds by size, shape, colour, and texture, discovering that different plants produce very different seeds while developing observation and classification skills
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Plant A Seed: Experience the wonder of germination firsthand! Plant seeds and observe them grow over time, developing understanding of what seeds need and the patience to watch life emerge from a tiny seed
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Seeds In My Kitchen: Discover that many foods we eat are actually seeds! Explore beans, peas, corn, sunflower seeds, and other edible seeds, understanding the connection between plants and our food
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Label The Plant: Learn the parts of a plant and their functions! Label roots, stem, leaves, and flowers on diagrams, understanding how each part helps the plant survive and grow
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Lifecycle of Plants: Follow the complete journey from seed to plant to seed again! Explore germination, growth, flowering, pollination, and seed production, understanding the continuous cycle of plant life
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Celery Absorbing Water Investigation: Make water transport visible! Place celery in coloured water and watch as it travels up the stem to the leaves, demonstrating how plants absorb and transport water throughout their structure
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Seeds In Soil Investigation: Conduct a fair test to discover if seeds need soil to grow! Plant seeds in soil and without soil, comparing results and understanding the role soil plays in plant growth
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Seeds In Sunlight Investigation: Explore whether plants need light to grow! Plant seeds in light and dark conditions, observing differences and discovering why plants need sunlight for healthy growth
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Seeds And Water Investigation: Test whether seeds need water to germinate! Plant seeds with and without water, discovering this essential requirement for seed germination and plant survival
Why Teachers Choose This Resource:
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Curriculum-Aligned: Fully supports Year 2 Science objectives for plants in the National Curriculum of England
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Hands-On Investigations: Practical experiments that make plant biology observable and memorable
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Fair Testing Focus: Multiple investigations that develop scientific enquiry through controlled experiments
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Ready to Use: Complete lesson plans with learning objectives, equipment lists, and step-by-step instructions
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Long-Term Observations: Activities that develop patience and systematic observation over days and weeks
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Cross-Curricular Links: Connects to Design & Technology (food) and develops scientific vocabulary
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Accessible Materials: Uses seeds, plants, and everyday items readily available
Perfect For:
- Year 2 Science lessons on plants
- Key Stage 1 biology teaching
- Homeschool science curriculum
- Developing scientific investigation skills
- Building understanding of plant requirements and life cycles
- Long-term observation and recording projects
Learning Outcomes:
Through these activities, children will observe and describe how seeds and bulbs grow into mature plants, find out and describe how plants need water, light, and a suitable temperature to grow and stay healthy, understand the life cycle of flowering plants, identify and describe the basic structure of plants, conduct fair tests to investigate plant requirements, and develop scientific observation and recording skills.
What Makes This Resource Special:
Watching a seed germinate and grow into a plant is one of the most magical experiences in primary science. These activities harness that wonder, helping children understand not just that plants grow, but how and why. By conducting fair tests and making observations over time, children develop genuine scientific understanding alongside the patience and discipline essential for scientific work.
Building Scientific Enquiry Skills:
The fair testing investigations are perfectly designed for Year 2—simple enough to understand but rigorous enough to develop real scientific thinking. By changing one variable at a time (soil, light, or water) and observing the results, children learn to design experiments, understand cause and effect, and use evidence to draw conclusions.
Developing Patience and Wonder:
Plant investigations require patience—seeds take days to germinate, and growth happens gradually. These activities help children develop the patience to observe over time, the discipline to record regularly, and the wonder that comes from watching life unfold before their eyes—valuable lessons that extend far beyond science.
Bring the wonder of plant growth to life! These engaging activities help Year 2 students discover how plants grow through hands-on investigation and observation that makes plant biology tangible, builds scientific enquiry skills, and creates genuine understanding of plant life cycles and requirements.
