Early autumn, as the days grow cooler and the leaves begin to change, is a fantastic time for exploring the natural world.
We begin to notice the abundance of seeds all around us, from conkers lying on the ground to 'helicopter' seeds (samaras) spinning down in the breeze.
This seasonal abundance makes autumn the perfect time to engage children in discovering, observing and learning about seeds.
Here are some of our favourite books about seeds for kids and homeschool.
For homeschool families, Seeds Week in early autumn provides an excellent opportunity to incorporate some fun, hands-on nature study into your curriculum.
Whether you follow the Charlotte Mason-inspired Exploring Nature with Children curriculum or want to create your own unit study, here are some of the best books about seeds for kids and homeschool.
Most kids love a nature scavenger hunt and finding seeds on a nature walk is such a fun activity.
Just grab an empty egg box or any container and head out to your favourite nature spot to see what you can find.
Encouraging children to find seeds outdoors fosters curiosity and connects them directly with the life cycles of plants, opening up so many options for further learning.
Complementing this seed exploration with carefully selected books about seeds and plant lifecycles can help to deepen their understanding and inspire a lasting connection with nature.
Read on for some of the best books about seeds for children and homeschooling, perfect for when you are looking for and studying seeds during the autumn months.
Why Focus on Seeds in Autumn?
You may be thinking, surely spring is the right time for seeds?
And yes, while we don't usually associate planting seeds with autumn, there are some vegetables you can sow now, and you can even get a headstart on next year's flowers by sowing flower seeds now.
But you can certainly do the classic bean seed growing experiment now - just pop some broad bean seeds in a clear freezer bag with some paper towel or cottonwool and keep it moist, seal and attach to a window with some sellotape.
This is a great way to teach kids about seeds and their life cycle.
But there's another reason we focus on seeds now.
In autumn, many plants have completed their growing cycles and they now release seeds, preparing for the next generation of growth.
These seeds are dispersed by the parent plant using a variety of methods: drop and roll, wind, animals, birds, water or explosion.
Children can easily collect a variety of seeds during a nature walk - acorns, sycamore or maple samaras (the 'helicopter' seeds), pine cones, or the tiny seeds of wildflowers.
This outdoor exploration is amazing experiential learning, and very easy to organise as it can be done in any woodland, park, forest, or even in your own garden.
Studying seeds in autumn can help children to learn about plant reproduction, dispersal methods, the role seeds play in ecosystems, and how seeds germinate.
Using books to supplement these observations helps kids to identify the seeds they found and to match them to their parent plant, to provide scientific explanations, fascinating facts, and creative inspiration that help children make sense of what they discover.
For example, we are unlikely to spot a coco de mer seed in our local park, but can see them and learn about how incredible they are in books.
How to Explore Seeds in Your Homeschool
Before diving into the recommended books, here are some ideas to integrate seed discovery into your homeschool day during fall:
1. Nature Walks
Take regular nature walks in your local park, woodland, forest or even your backyard to search for, observe and collect different types of seeds.
Encourage children to notice variations in size, shape, colour and texture, as well as observe or speculate about how those seeds are dispersed.
2. Seed Collection with a Sock
This is such a a fun hands-on activity, with a distinct element of magic and mystery!
Each child should wear a clean, cotton sock over their shoe or boot during the walk.
As they move through grass, leaves and bushes, seeds will naturally cling to the sock’s fibres (dispersal by animal).
When you return home, carefully remove the sock and plant it in a small pot or garden bed (take away plastic are great for this).
Cover with a layer of soil or compost, then wait.
See which seeds sprout first and discuss why some seeds might not grow.
This slightly crazy activity combines outdoor exploration with germination experiments, making seed study interactive and memorable.
3. Nature Journalling
If your children keep a nature journal, encourage them to sketch, identify and document the seeds they find.
They can sketch, write descriptions, and record where and when each seed was found.
Observe in the field or use some of the books below to identify the seeds and their parent plant, and to learn about their growth habits.
You can also conduct a simple bean growing experiment, as detailed above, using the nature journal to record how long they take to sprout, how quickly they grow and more.
You could also plant several seeds in different pots and experiment to find what growing conditions they prefer.
Variables can include the growing compound, whether indoors or outdoors, and/or the amount of light, heat, water etc.
Don't forget to get hands on with your seed activities too, including making seed mosaics or collages and cooking with the seeds we eat (cashews, sesame, sunflower, fruits, nuts).
You could also try this fun sunflower craft idea.
Best Books About Seeds for Kids and Homeschool
Eric Carle’s classic picture book is a beautiful introduction to the life cycle of a seed.
Told through the journey of a tiny seed blown by the wind, it captures the challenges seeds face and their potential to grow into flowers.
The colourful, engaging illustrations are perfect for young children beginning to observe seeds in their environment.
This informative book breaks down the life cycle of a seed in clear, simple language, supported by detailed illustrations.
It introduces young readers to how seeds grow, what they need, and the stages of plant development, making it ideal for early science lessons during autumn.
A Seed Is Sleepy is a beautifully poetic and scientifically rich book that captures the wonder of seeds.
Through lyrical text and exquisite watercolour illustrations, it reveals how seeds come in many shapes and sizes, how they travel, and how they remain dormant until conditions are just right for growth.
This book is perfect for identifying seeds and observing their diffrerences during seed week.
This book explores the plant life cycle in more depth, focusing on how seeds are formed, dispersed and transformed into plants.
Just how does such a tiny seed become a plant?
This book provides a straightforward, detailed look at seed germination and growth.
Its clear diagrams and explanations make it a great companion for children who want to understand the process behind the seeds they find during autumn walks.
This is a beautiful book that offers children a comprehensive introduction to the plant kingdom.
Packed with vibrant photographs and clear, engaging facts, it explores the diversity of plant life from towering trees and colourful flowers to fascinating seeds and leaves.
It's a great reference guide to take on your nature walk or have at home, a reference and inspiration for seed collecting and identification.
A clear and engaging introduction to seeds and their role in plant growth, perfect for early elementary learners.
Bright photos and simple text make it ideal for homeschool science units on plant parts and life cycles.
This beautifully illustrated book explores the fascinating ways seeds travel - by wind, water and animals.
A great addition to a homeschool study on plant adaptation and seed dispersal, sparking curiosity about nature’s clever designs.
This book encourages observation and discussion about nature’s strategies for survival and growth by presenting aspects of plant adaptation and seed dispersal.
Perfect for hands-on, outdoor learning, this field guide helps children identify various seeds, berries and nuts in nature.
With fun facts and engaging activity ideas, it’s a wonderful tool for hands-on homeschooling and families looking to combine science with seasonal nature walks, studies and exploration.
A favorite for fall, this book clearly explains how pumpkins grow from tiny seeds to ripe fruit, making complex processes easy to understand
It supports homeschool science lessons on plant life cycles with fun experiments and easy-to-follow explanations, perfect for young learners.
The pumpkin theme makes this a useful book for seed nature studies in September, followed by pumpkin studies in October, especially if you are following the Exploring Nature with Children curriculum.
Tips for Using These Books to Enhance Autumn Seed Exploration
Start with Outdoor Observation: Use nature walks to gather a variety of seeds. Encourage children to describe their findings and ask questions.
Read Together: Select books appropriate to your child’s age and read them during or after your seed hunts to provide context and knowledge.
Hands-On Activities: Follow up with experiments or gardening projects suggested in the books to reinforce learning.
Reflect and Record: Maintain a nature journal or scrapbook documenting observations, experiments, and personal reflections.
Connect to Seasons: Discuss how autumn is a critical time for seeds to prepare for winter and eventual spring growth, tying in broader ecological concepts.
Autumn is uniquely suited for seed-based education because it is a transitional season when nature visibly prepares for rest and renewal.
The abundance of seeds that can be found outdoors during this time invites inquiry and observation through hands-on experiential learning.
By combining outdoor discovery with carefully chosen books, children can deepen their understanding of the natural world and develop a lifelong appreciation for plants and ecology.
Not to mention, it's great fun! Enjoy your seed studies.
More autumn themed ideas:
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