Window Bag Beans: Gardening and Growing Outdoor Activity for Reception

Sowing seeds in the soil requires patience, as the magic happens out of sight. By germinating broad beans in clear bags taped to your outdoor classroom windows, children can observe the fascinating daily changes of the root system.

Step-by-Step Setup

1. Prepare the Bag

Give each child a clear zip-lock bag. Have them fold a piece of paper towel to fit snugly inside. Explain that this will act like a cozy bed for their seed instead of using dark, heavy soil.

2. Plant the Bean

Let the children select a broad bean seed. Ask them to place the seed carefully inside the bag, resting against the paper towel so it is visible from the outside. Add a splash of water to dampen.

3. Create a Greenhouse

Seal the bags securely. Use sticky tape to attach the bags to a sunny window in your outdoor classroom or a low fence panel. Ensure they are placed at the children's eye level for easy viewing.

4. Daily Observations

Incorporate checking the beans into your daily outdoor routine. Have the children look for the first signs of germination. Ask: 'What is popping out? Is it a root going down or a shoot going up?'

5. Transfer to Soil

Once the beans have strong roots and green shoots, carefully remove them from the bags. Let the children use trowels to dig small holes in the outdoor planters and tuck their seedlings into the soil.

Classroom Adaptations

Large class?

Plant one or two class bags instead of individual ones, making it a shared responsibility.

Limited resources?

Use recycled clear fruit punnets from the supermarket instead of buying zip-lock bags.

Mixed ages?

Younger children can focus on watering, while older ones draw the stages of growth.

High ability?

Ask them to keep a mini 'seed diary', drawing what they see and writing simple labels.