As your children grow from toddlers to elementary students and venture on to middle school, you may find yourself competing against schoolwork, sports, friends and a myriad of activities for a little piece of their time. What happened to those happy hours you use to spend together in the garden? You puttered and worked with the plants and they followed, asking questions, examining rocks and bugs, and exploring the world of nature. If so, make the most of your time together and offer to let them do some garden experiments that capture their interest and help them learn more about the world they live in.
Plant Power
Children will learn that plants can be extremely strong and resilient with this experiment. It's simple yet effective.
- Supplies:
- Beans
- Water
- Plaster of Paris
- Aluminum Pan
Soak the beans in water overnight. Pour a couple of inches of Plaster of Paris in the pans. Sprinkle the beans across the top. Pour another inch of Plaster of Paris over the top of the beans. Then wait and watch. When the beans sprout, they’ll force their way right through the rock-like Plaster of Paris. Amazing! Go for nature walks with your kids and see if they can find examples of the power of plants in their natural habitat.
Discover How Worms Work
Charles Darwin studied worms for 39 years and determined that they are one of the cornerstones of life on earth. Why? Because they make the soil rich and fertile and help reduce plant waste. Although some kids (and you) might find worms yucky, if they can actually see the work they do, this project helps children understand that there is a reason for all of nature’s creatures. Here’s a simple way to let them see how worms work.
Supplies:
- A large, clean, clear glass jar with a lid
- Moist soil
- Sand
- Earthworms
- Old leaves
- Vegetable peelings, tealeaves or overripe fruit
- Black paper
Start by letting the kids add a layer of sand to the bottom of the jar. Make it about a half-inch thick. Then add a layer of damp soil. Repeat the layering process until the jar is filled to about two inches from the top. Now send the kids on a worm hunt! Put the worms in the jar, and then the kids can add the old leaves and vegetable peelings or other material. Poke a couple of holes in the lid and cap the jar. Wrap it in black paper and place the jar in a cool, dark place. Check occasionally to make sure the dirt is damp, but not wet. In a couple of weeks, take the jar out and unwrap it. What has happened to the plant material inside? Explain to the children how the worms have incorporated it into the soil so it is enriched with nutrients. Let them study the worms’ patterns in the dirt and tell them how that aerates the soil and why it is beneficial. You’ll probably all come away with a new appreciation for the industrious earthworm!
Grow Veggies in a Bottle
This one is simple but fascinating. If you are growing cucumbers, zucchini or other long, slender vegetables in your garden, let the kids try this. Take a two-liter soda bottle and wash it well. Poke a number of ventilation holes in it. When you get a tiny cucumber or squash on your vine, slip the bottle over it. Tuck the bottle under some of the plant's leaves so the baby veggie don’t roast. Water it every few days. You might want to experiment with a few of these to make sure at least one grows to full size. The kids will find it fascinating and be eager to show the phenomenon to their friends.
Spending time in the garden with your children is a special experience. Tempt your kids into being there with you more often with these simple but intriguing activities. They'll make a lasting impression on your youngsters and you get to harvest happy times with your children.
