Beans lend themselves well to experiments, because many are easily observed sprouting and growing. Many experiments can be done with the materials that you have lying around at home. Gather dried lima or kidney beans, paper towels and sandwich baggies for each child.
Take out a bean for each child, and have them wrap the lima bean a paper towel. Dampen the paper towel, put it in a plastic bag, and do not seal it completely. Put the baggie in a sunny spot, and have the children check once a day to make certain that the paper towel is not drying out. Wait two or three days. The beans should be visibly sprouting. This experiment can be extended by planting the sprouted seeds in a cupful of soil. Discuss how the paper towel will act as compost. The sprouts can also be moved into a class or family garden.
Cabbage juice can be used as a pH indicator. Materials needed for this experiment include red cabbage, a pot for cooking on a stove or hotplate, a strainer, a container to reserve liquid and three clear glasses. You also need a household base and an acid and distilled water. Examples of household acids include white vinegar and citrus juices. A good base for this experiment is distilled water with baking soda mixed in. Whatever base or acid you choose, use a clear, colorless liquid for best results with this experiment.
Shred some red cabbage, put it in a pot full of water and boil it for 20 to 30 minutes. The liquid should be a dark purple color when you are finished. Strain the cabbage and reserve the purple liquid. Take the reserved liquid and add some to the acid, base and plain distilled water -- all of which should be in their own separate glass. The juice will turn pink in the acid and green in the base with the distilled water as the control.