Autumn Seeds Exploration

The colorful flowers and lush greenery of summer may appear to be transitioning to a dull, dry and barren landscape, however, I encourage you to take a closer, more appreciative look. You’ll soon notice that the abundant blooms have been replaced by a diverse world of seeds that is absolutely beautiful and fascinating in its own right. The longer you look, the more seeds you will find. Each and every seed is perfectly designed to best suit the growing needs for the future generation. From the light and fluffy (and personal favorite) milkweed bursting into a million tiny faeries flying in the sky to the prickly, sticky, and way “too friendly” burr seeds of the burdock.

Grab a bucket and go on a walk with your child(ren) to see how many different seeds you can find. Once home, spread out your seeds and try sorting them in different ways. Can you tell by the design of the seed how it travels? Does it attach to or get eaten by animals? Does it fly in the air or float in water? Use a magnifying glass to see details more closely. Use a mallet or tweezers to open up and see inside. Try pressing seeds into clay, mud or play dough to see what textures or impressions are left behind. Step back and see how your child chooses to explore and interact with the seeds.

Now that you have gathered, explored, and sorted your seeds finds, make a seed picture! Bring out the paper and glue or more clay to create a picture or abstract design with seeds! This is also a super fun and satisfying activity for the grownups to do alongside their kiddos. Get in touch with your creative inner child and see what you can create together!