Cress heads: A fun and easy spring activity for kids
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Spring is the perfect time for fun gardening activities, and cress heads are one of the easiest (and cutest) ways to introduce kids to growing plants.
With just a few simple materials, your little ones can create their own funny, sprouting characters — and enjoy watching their “hair” grow in just a few days!
This activity is quick to set up, requires minimal supplies, and is perfect for all ages. Plus, it’s a great way to teach kids about plant growth in a hands-on, playful way.
How to make cress heads with your kids
To make the cress heads, you will need:
- cress seeds
- soil (or cotton wool balls)
- empty yogurt pots or jars
- supplies for decorating the jars (stickers, washi tape, markers, paint markers, etc)
1. Decorate the pots
Start by inviting your kids to decorate the containers you’ll be using.
They can draw silly faces, add googly eyes, or get creative with stickers and markers.
These will be the faces of your cress heads, so let the kids have fun using their creativity.
2. Add the soil and seeds
Once the decorations are done, fill each container with soil or damp cotton wool. Sprinkle a generous amount of cress seeds on top.
If using soil, gently press the seeds down and mist with a little water.
3. Find a sunny spot
Place your cress heads in a warm, well-lit area — a windowsill is perfect!
Keep the soil or cotton wool moist but not too wet, and in just a few days, tiny sprouts will start to appear.
4. Watch the seeds grow
Within a week, your cress heads will have a full head of “hair”
Kids will love checking on their plants each day and seeing how much they’ve grown.
Why kids love this activity:
✔ It’s hands-on and creative — Kids get to design their own characters and watch them come to life!
✔ It’s quick and rewarding — Unlike many plants that take weeks to sprout, cress grows in just a few days.
✔ It’s a fun introduction to growing food — This simple activity can inspire kids to start gardening and grow more plants.
Making cress heads is a wonderful spring tradition that combines creativity and fun in one simple activity.
If you give it a try, I’d love to hear how it goes.
