Creation Activities for Toddlers About Plants

Finger Painting Plant Stages

• You and your toddler can finger paint all of the stages in a plant's growth cycle -- seed, seedling and mature plant. Explain things as you are painting. Tell him to make a dot on the paper. That dot is a seed, the initial stage of all plants. Then, paint a small seedling and explain that plants grow from seed to seedling. Lastly, paint a flower and tell the child that plants go from seedlings to mature plants.

Sponge Bean Sprouting

• The classic sponge bean activity is incredibly simple and allows toddlers to actually observe seed germination as it occurs in real time. All you need is a paper plate, a large sponge, a package of dry beans of any variety or bean sprouts and plastic wrap. Wet the sponge and squeeze it slightly, so that it does not drip, then place on the paper plate. Sprinkle the surface of the sponge with beans or sprouts. Place the plate in a area where it receives full sun. At night, cover it with plastic wrap. Observe the plate for days, making sure you keep the sponge moist. Make sure that your toddler sees how the beans begin to sprout.

Plant Growth Field Trip

• Take your toddler to a state park, botanical garden or simply walk out into your backyard. Point out different plants in different stages of growth. Show her the flowers that are growing and explain that flowers release seeds that create other plants. Have the kids pick up pine cones and tell them that those cones may eventually grow into large pine trees.

Other Activities

• There are many other plant growth activities that you can do with your toddlers. Create a special dance or play that helps them understand how plants grow from seeds to mature plants. Make a plant growth diorama using clay and a shoebox. Make paper finger puppets that show all of the plant growth stages.