Grow An Avocado Tree

Growing an avocado tree from a seed is a slow but satisfying project that teaches children patience, plant care, and how everyday food waste can have new life. Starting with a leftover avocado stone, kids can watch it split, sprout, and grow into a small tree over several weeks or months.

This activity is simple to set up and works well alongside lessons about nature, sustainability, or where our food comes from. While it won’t grow fruit for many years (if at all), it makes a brilliant, hands-on introduction to growing something from scratch.

Materials Needed

• 1 avocado stone (pit)

• Water

• Clear glass or jar

• 3–4 cocktail sticks

• Optional: small plant pot and compost (for repotting later)

Tools Needed

• None (just your hands!)

Steps

1. Clean the Seed: After eating the avocado, rinse the stone and gently remove any remaining fruit.

2. Insert Cocktail Sticks: Push 3–4 cocktail sticks into the middle of the seed at an angle. These will rest on the rim of the glass.

3. Suspend in Water: Place the seed over a glass of water with the flat end down and the pointy end up. The water should cover about the bottom inch of the seed.

4. Place in a Sunny Spot: Put the glass on a sunny windowsill. Change the water every few days to keep it fresh.

5. Wait and Watch: In 2–6 weeks, the seed will crack open, a root will grow down, and a shoot will grow up. Once it has a strong stem and a few leaves, it can be potted in soil.