This activity is for children old enough not to place small objects in their mouth, and with adequate fine motor skills to pick up a seed. Sorting is an important skill for science, but one we tend to overlook. Repeat this activity as often as your child desires, using different mixtures each time. Simply look through your cupboards and fridge for seeds.

Gather:

    *  Large seeds, such as different kinds of dried beans, dried watermelon, corn, pumpkin, squash and sunflower seeds. Sorting the beans in dried bean soup mix is fun too. Important Note: Make sure the seeds are food grade, because seeds used for planting may be treated with harmful pesticides or chemicals.

Optional:

    * Paper plates (or construction paper, tag board)

    * White glue

Explore:

Examine the seeds closely. Ask questions. Which is the biggest? Which is the smallest? What colors do you see? What do the seeds feel like? Smell the seeds. Is there an odor?

Ask the children to sort the seeds into piles (sorting into small paper plates or dishes helps make clean up easier)

Option 1: add some similar-sized beads, and ask the children to sort the seeds from the beads. You can introduce the concepts of living versus non-living if your children are ready.

Option 2:  Use the seeds to make a simple picture or pattern by gluing them with white glue onto a paper plate or card stock. You may also want to use some of the seeds for the sprouting activities.