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    Home » Seasonal Science » Autumn Science Experiments » Sticky Seeds – a seed dispersal investigation

    Sticky Seeds – a seed dispersal investigation

    October 13, 2021 By Emma Vanstone Leave a Comment

    We’ve made exploding seed pods, flying seed helicopters and learned all about different types of seed dispersal.

    Today’s task is to make a sticky seed pod. Your challenge is to make a container for a seed that sticks ( temporarily ) to clothing.

    One way plants disperse their seeds is by using an animal as a carrier. This type of seed usually has sticky hooks so they can stick to an animal and get carried away from the parent plant.

    Humans are also good at dispersing seeds. Have you ever found a seed stuck to your clothing, or eaten a fruit with a seed inside and thrown the seed outdoors?

    Which plants have sticky seeds?

    Burdock plants have sticky seeds that attach easily to animal fur. These remind me of velcro!

    Burdock seeds
    Burdock Seeds

    Design a sticky seed pod

    Can you design and then make a stIcky seed pod that will stick to clothing for a few minutes before falling off?

    You’ll need

    Velcro

    Double sided tape

    Paper

    Small containers

    Glue

    Pom pom or small seed

    Instructions

    Gather together your materials and create a design for a sticky seed pod. You can print the sheet below to help.

    We made a very simple package by wrapping a pom pom in paper like a parcel and then attaching double sided tape to one side.

    Once you’ve drawn your design try to make it.

    Test to see if it sticks to your clothes!

    Does it stick if you jump, run or stretch?

    sticky seed attached to a girls t shirt as part of a seed dispersal activity

    More challenges

    Test your stick seed pod on different materials such as cotton, wool, paper, card and foil.

    What do you notice about the materials your pod sticks to most easily?

    Find out how dandelion seeds fly on the wind.

    If you struggle to tell trees apart, this tree ID sheet from The Woodland Trust is super helpful!

    Instructions for a sticky seed pod science activity. Great for learning about seed dispersal
    Image of a burdock seed and  instructions for a sticky seed activity.

    Last Updated on October 18, 2022 by Emma Vanstone

    « Flying Helicopter Seeds
    Easy Chemistry Experiments for Kids »

    Safety Notice

    Science Sparks ( Wild Sparks Enterprises Ltd ) are not liable for the actions of activity of any person who uses the information in this resource or in any of the suggested further resources. Science Sparks assume no liability with regard to injuries or damage to property that may occur as a result of using the information and carrying out the practical activities contained in this resource or in any of the suggested further resources.

    These activities are designed to be carried out by children working with a parent, guardian or other appropriate adult. The adult involved is fully responsible for ensuring that the activities are carried out safely.

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