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We think it’s important to provide useful resources for early years practitioners, childminders, and parents in terms of sustainability – and this series aims to bring you easy crafts and activities that will teach children about sustainable living. 

At this time of the year daffodils are commonplace across the UK. In May and June they will begin to seed, and this is the perfect time to pick them and use them for a fun early years science experiment!

Daffodil seeds are hydrophobic – this means they don’t like water and will repel it. When dipping a daffodil into a clear container of water, children can observe the seeds flatten, and when pulled back out the seeds are dry. 

Safety First!

Make sure children don’t put daffodils in their mouths.

The Daffodil Experiment

What you’ll need:

• Daffodils – seeded
• Glass of water

Method:

1. Go outside and encourage the children to pick a daffodil seed head and bring it to a sunny place. 
2. Fill a glass or container with water, and allow children to dip the daffodil into the water – observing how the seeds flatten and repel the water. 
3. Pull out the seeds and note how they are dry. 

Join us next week for another sustainable early years activity, and if you try this out, don’t forget to tag us on Instagram @ConnectChildcare. Have you seen our other garden themed activities? We have a FREE Gardening Activity Guide ideal for spring weather and sensory development.