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DIY Seed Bomb STEM Project for Kids

This DIY seed bomb STEM project is the perfect addition to any of your upcoming gardening projects and STEM activities.

This project is simple and a ton of fun. We will be making garden bombs, AKA seed bombs.

Garden bombs are an effortless way to plant flowers or vegetables as the seeds stay protected inside the bomb until they receive enough rain to “explode”, or the plants grow big enough to burst out on their own.

gloved hand sprinkling wildflower seeds onto a DIY seed bomb

Garden bombs are very simple and easy to make, and can easily be stored once they dry.

Use this project to teach kids about nature, gardening, and a self-sustaining lifestyle. Or you can enjoy this project as part of an Earth Day celebration.

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Free Printable DIY Seed Bomb Instructions

Do you want to print out the free DIY Seed Bomb instructions? Take this STEAM activity with you!

DIY Seed Bomb STEM Project for Kids 1

Learn how to easily complete this project anytime, anywhere!

The DIY Seed Bomb or Garden Bomb STEM project includes easy-to-follow instructions, detailed photos, tips and tricks, ideas for taking it further, and so much more!

Your kids are going to love this Garden Bomb activity.

Download your free 7-page project instructions now!

What Are Seed Bombs? (AKA Garden Bombs)

Garden bombs, or seed bombs, are a mixture of clay, water, compost, and seeds. The seeds are protected in the middle by the clay which is then surrounded by a thick layer of compost.

When the seed bombs are exposed to enough water, the garden bomb “explodes” and the seeds are immediately surrounded by compost and ready to grow.

Until the garden bomb explodes, the hard shell of clay protects the seeds from being eaten by wildlife or drying out in the sun, while also providing the seeds with the moisture and nutrients needed for seed germination and growth. Fewer seeds are needed this way, compared to broadcast seeding, and these seeds have a higher chance of successfully growing. 

Many companies nowadays are promoting bee welfare and sell wildflower seed bombs, or seed balls, which I think are absolutely amazing. Wildflower seed bombs are amazing because they provide people with an easy way to support pollinators which in turn supports our own healthy eating habits. After all – where would we be without pollinators? (The answer is very very hungry)

Today, however, rather than buying these wildflower seed balls, we are going to make our very own DIY seed bombs. This is a fun STEM project that is appropriate for all ages, from preschool all the way through adult.

This activity can double as either a garden or Summer-themed activity as well as an exploding STEM experiment.

What To Do With Your Seed Bombs

In addition to a great learning opportunity, seed bombs also make great gifts! Consider making these garden bombs as gifts for the following occasions:

  • Mother’s Day
  • Nature-themed birthday party favors
  • Earth Day party favors or lesson handouts
  • Birthday gifts for nature and garden lovers (including kids, parents, grandparents, etc.)
  • Wedding favors

Cilantro Seed Balls (Coriander, Pack of 20)- Herb & Vegetable Seed Bombs to Make Gardening Fun and Simple!Cilantro Seed Balls (Coriander, Pack of 20)- Herb & Vegetable Seed Bombs to Make Gardening Fun and Simple!40 Herbal Tea Seed Balls (Chamomile, Bergamot, Lemon Balm, Peppermint)- Herb & Vegetable Seed Bombs to Make Gardening Fun and Simple!40 Herbal Tea Seed Balls (Chamomile, Bergamot, Lemon Balm, Peppermint)- Herb & Vegetable Seed Bombs to Make Gardening Fun and Simple!US Wildflower Seed Balls- Native to your state, 20 Bulk Seed Bombs (Maryland)US Wildflower Seed Balls- Native to your state, 20 Bulk Seed Bombs (Maryland)Seed Bomb Phuel- 1kg (Optimized Clay Mixture for Seed Balls and Seed Bombs).Seed Bomb Phuel- 1kg (Optimized Clay Mixture for Seed Balls and Seed Bombs).US Native Wildflower Seed Ball Kit. Makes 100 Wildflower Seed Bombs for pollinators. (EasternUS)US Native Wildflower Seed Ball Kit. Makes 100 Wildflower Seed Bombs for pollinators. (EasternUS)

 

At a birthday party or Earth Day party, you could even make an activity out of homemade seed bombs. Then every child will have something fun to take home and you only had to put forth minimal effort. (Because honestly, these seed balls are not that difficult.)

Feel free to stuff your garden bombs with native wild flower seeds, vegetable seeds, or any other seed you want to grow in your garden.

little girl holding her homemade seed bomb

How To Make Seed Bombs (AKA Garden Bombs)

Prep Time: 5 minutes
Active Time: 15 minutes
Total Time: 20 minutes
Difficulty: Medium
Estimated Cost: $10-20

These instructions teach you how to make seed bombs with your kids. Little kids may still need some adult supervision but these instructions should be easy enough for most ages to understand and follow.

Materials

  • Compost, potting soil, or worm castings (either one will work)
  • Clay (we used Crayola air-dry clay)
  • Seeds (such as wildflower seeds, ideally seeds that are mostly self-sufficient and native to your area)
  • Water

Tools

Instructions

    compost, wildflower seeds, and air dry clay for DIY seed bombs

  1. Divide clay into small balls.
  2. Knead and press the clay down into small, flat circles.
    Kneading clay for DIY seed bombs
  3. Coat one side of the clay with a thin layer of compost.
  4. Add a small amount of your own seeds and water to the center. 
    little girl hand putting wildflower seeds into a homemade seed bomb
  5. Scrape clay off the table and roll it into a ball, being careful to keep the seeds in the center of the clay ball. 
  6. Coat the outside of the ball with 3-5 layers of compost. 
    little girl holding her homemade seed bomb
  7. Leave to fully dry.

When you’re ready, you can plant your seeds wherever you want / it is legal! Many people toss wildflower seed bombs into abandoned fields or at the side of the highway but if you do this, you must make sure you only included native seeds, otherwise you’ll be causing more harm than good.

It’s best to plant your seed bombs in your garden, your flower beds, or in your yard. Plant them, toss them, whatever you like! Then you can either water them or let nature take its course and watch them grow on their own.

Enjoy your garden bombs! These seed balls are a fun way to see nature in action while also getting some STEM learning in.

Notes

Seed Bomb Tips and Tricks


● Wearing disposable gloves helps keep your hands from getting covered in compost.

● Buy local wildflowers. They will have a better chance of surviving on their own and then you won't accidentally fall into the realms of invasive species.

● You can use any seeds you like that grow well together: flowers, vegetables, e.t.c. 

● If you find that your clay circles are too small when you start rolling them up, use some extra clay to fill in the gaps.

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Did you try this yourself?

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The History of Seed Bombs AKA Garden Bombs

Garden bombs, or seed bombs, originated anciently in Japan with the practice of “Tsuchi Dango”, which means “Earth Dumpling.” They were reintroduced in 1938 by Japanese microbiologist and farmer Masanobu Fukuoka, who was an advocate of Do Nothing Farming. Fukuoka believed that vegetables grown in seed bombs were stronger than vegetables planted in the traditional way. 

Three DIY Seed bombs on a table

During the 1970s in New York City, “seed grenades” were used by Liz Christy and the Green Guerillas to beautify empty lots caused by a financial crisis. In 1974, after a rather short fight with the city officials, the Liz Christy Community Garden became the very first community garden in New York City. That community garden inspired many others to begin gardening and is still cared for today by volunteers and protected by the Parks Department in New York City. 

More STEM Resources for Kids

If you liked this activity, you are going to love the STEM Made Easy Books. Each book includes 10 STEM projects along with instructions for how to make them fun and engaging for kids ages 3-19. Take a look at the third edition, the Gardening Edition. Or read more about the books in this article on homeschool STEM curriculum.

preview of a free garden stem project chapter sample

Want a free chapter sample? Sign up to get a complete project chapter sent to you so you can see exactly what’s inside each of the STEM Made Easy books.

I’ve also got this ultimate list of STEAM and STEM activities for kids of all ages if you want to take a look.

as an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualified purchases

STEM Made Easy Dragons Edition: Engaging STEM Projects for ages 3-19STEM Made Easy Dragons Edition: Engaging STEM Projects for ages 3-19STEM Made Easy Gardening Edition: Engaging STEM Projects for ages 3-19STEM Made Easy Gardening Edition: Engaging STEM Projects for ages 3-19STEM Made Easy: Edibles Edition: Engaging STEAM projects for ages 3-19STEM Made Easy: Edibles Edition: Engaging STEAM projects for ages 3-19

 

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Charlene Hess

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