A dry bean seed can germinate when conditions are suitable. A root and shoot emerge, and a seedling develops leaves. With time and care, a mature plant can flower and produce pods. Seeds develop inside the pods. Mature seeds can begin another generation. Cut out and shuffle the worksheet cards before ordering them.
With a grown-up: use untreated planting beans; do not eat seeds or sprouts. Keep small seeds away from younger children. Wash hands after handling. An adult should discard any mouldy setup.
Read the complete activity guide ↗
Explore before you start.
A life cycle includes reproduction, not just a seed getting taller. Seeds from a mature plant can grow into new plants.
Look at the picture, talk about what you notice, then use the drawing and writing spaces below. Open the picture for a closer look.
From seed to seedling
A root emerges during germination, followed by a shoot. As leaves open, the seedling begins to make food using light.
Flowers and pods
A mature bean plant can form flowers. After successful pollination and fertilisation, pods develop and seeds grow inside them. This takes much longer than a short sprouting experiment.
The next generation
When mature pods dry, their seeds can be collected by a grown-up for another planting. Put the new-seed card beside the dry-seed card to show how the cycle continues.
Use a finger, stylus or mouse in each drawing box. Type below it, or ask a grown-up to write your words. Your work stays in this tab. Save before refreshing or leaving.
Put the stages in order
Word bank: bean pods, dry seed, flowering plant, new seeds, germination, seedling. Draw or type the six stages in order.
Tell the story
Choose two stages. Draw what changes between them.
Start again
Where could the next bean plant come from?
Your ideas belong here. There is no score.
What are we learning?
A life cycle includes reproduction, not just a seed getting taller. Seeds from a mature plant can grow into new plants.
Prefer a worksheet?
Open the individual cartoon activity sheet to print or save. Use portrait orientation and fit to page.
Open worksheet to save ↓Try another little investigation.
01How to Grow a BeanSet up a tiny science project with a grown-up. Make a prediction, then check your bean each day.
Draw · Type · Save
02My Plant DiaryLook at the same bean over several days. Record what you actually see—even if nothing has changed yet.
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03How Tall Is Your Plant?Once your seedling is planted in soil, measure its height and compare your records.
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04Parts of My PlantLook for a seed, root, stem and leaf. Draw each part, name it and describe what it does.
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05My Bean LeafBecome a leaf detective. Look gently and leave the leaf attached to the plant.
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06Decorate Your PlantDesign an imaginary plant with leaves, flowers, pods and seeds. Draw on screen or use the printable cutouts.
Draw · Type · Save