The Tweens News | English

Terrarium!

You might need to use tools that require adult supervision, such as glue gun and scissors. If so, these can be replaced by textile glue and safety scissors. Make sure you ask your parents some help.

You can plant just about any kind of seed in this terrarium. People love to see the plants growing. Using recycled soda bottles, it makes the perfect Earth Day craft for you and your friends.

What you’ll need:

How to make it:

1. Remove the label from the bottle. Discard label. Save cap! (Picture #1)
2. Wash and rinse out the bottle and cap.
3. Cut the bottle close to the bottom. There may be a “line” near the end of where the label was, that’s a good place to cut. You can cut it higher if you wish. (Picture #2)
4. Lightly place dirt or potting soil in the base.
5. Plant a few seeds in the dirt. (Picture #3)
6. Lightly water.
7. Put the cap on the bottle.
8. Cover the base with the top of the bottle. You will have to fiddle with it a bit to fit back inside the base. (Picture #4)
9. Place in a sunny spot and watch for your seeds to grow. (Picture #5)
10. When the plants are ready, repot them or plant them in your garden.

Tips:

• If your soil starts to look a little dry before your seeds come up, you can unscrew the cap and insert the head of spray bottle of water. Spritz several squirts into the terrarium.
• This project can also be done with individual sized water bottles. Don’t plant more than two seeds in a small bottle like this or they will be overcrowded and won’t grow.
• This makes a great classroom project, just ask each student to bring in a water bottle or 2 liter bottle. Ask students if any of their parents have a garden and would be willing to donate seeds. Bird seed will work for the project as well!

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Egghead Eggshell Planter!

You might need to use tools that require adult supervision, such as glue gun and scissors. If so, these can be replaced by textile glue and safety scissors. Make sure you ask your parents some help.

This egghead eggshell planter is a fun project for Easter, Earth Day or just about any spring day you can think of. No fancy materials are needed. With just an eggshell, a little soil and some seeds, you can grow your own planter. It’s the ultimate in eco-friendly craft ideas!

What you’ll need:

How to make it:

1. If you wish, decorate your strip of cardstock. We flecked some yellow and blue paint onto ours with an old toothbrush.
2. Tape or glue the cardstock into a ring to hold the egg.
3. Use a small spoon to fill the egg almost to the top with potting soil.
4. Sprinkle the soil with seed.
5. Add a thin layer of potting soil on the top.
6. Carefully water so as not to overflow or soak it.
7. Keep in a sunny location.
8. Your seeds will begin to sprout in a day or two and your egghead will grow “hair” in about a week! (Picture #1)
9. If you like, you can decorate the outside of the egg with a black marker by drawing a face on your egghead.

Tips:

• Use a small measuring spoon to scoop the soil and add it to the egg. Use a small spoon to add the seeds as well.
• If you have cats, wheat seed grows thick wheat grass and is a tasty and nutritional addition to their diet. It also aids in food digestion!
• You can also use an egg carton to sprout any kind of seeds that you like. Some seeds that sprout quickly and grow easily are green beans and radishes.

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Tin Can Herb Pots!

You might need to use tools that require adult supervision, such as glue gun and scissors. If so, these can be replaced by textile glue and safety scissors. Make sure you ask your parents some help.

Make these charming tin can herb pots and watch them grow all summer long! This project not only recycles, it creates new life, and is a great Earth Day craft. You can watch the plants grow for months to come and be proud that you created the container that holds them.

What you’ll need:

How to make it:

1. Completely wash and dry aluminum can. If necessary, sand off any rough edges from opening of can.
2. Turn can upside down. Parent should use screwdriver or other pointed object to poke holes in the bottom of the can. Use a hammer to tap the end of the screwdriver to make the holes.
3. Paint outside of can with one coat of gesso. Let dry completely.
4. Paint can in the desired color, repeat coats if needed.
5. Decorate however you like. Use a thin paint brush for long lines, dip the end of the paint brush into paint for polka dots.
6. Decorate with stickers if desired.
7. In a well-ventilated area, spray the outside of the completed can with acrylic sealer spray. Let dry.
8. Place enough rocks or pebbles in the bottom of the can to form a single layer.
9. Add enough potting soil to fill the can two-thirds full.
10. Remove potted herb from its container and transplant into the can.
11. Fill edges with remaining potting soil, gently pat down so that plant is firmly in the can but not compacted so much that it’s too tight.
12. Place can on a plate (to catch any water drainage) and add some water to the newly planted herbs.
13. Paint craft stick whatever color you like. Allow to dry.
14. Cut a piece of thin cardboard into a small rectangle (about 1.5 x 3 inches) using pinking shears.
15. Paint both side of the cardboard with gesso, let dry.
16. Glue the rectangle to the top of the craft stick.
17. Use a black permanent marker to write the herb name onto the rectangle.
18. Insert your plant marker into the soil, being careful not to crush any roots along the way.
19. Place your new garden in a sunny window and remember to water them!

Tips:

• A 4-inch potted plant will be enough to make 2-3 vegetable sized cans (15 oz) or one larger tomato sauce type can (28 oz).
• This is a great project to teach younger siblings and yourself about growing plants, especially edible ones. Take this opportunity to visit your local library and check out a book on simple container gardening or gardening.
• Keep your younger siblings involved, be sure they take care of “their” plant. Have them water their plant and show them how to check to see if the soil is too dry or just right by gently touching the soil surface with their finger.
• Eat these herbs! They will light up when they get to pinch off a basil leaf to add to your spaghetti sauce.

Source:

- http://crafts.kaboose.com/terrarium.html

- http://crafts.kaboose.com/egghead.html

- http://crafts.kaboose.com/earth-tin-can-herb-pots.html

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The Tweens News | English

Source: http://www.wambie.com/tuttifrutti_us/news/PLANT_A_TREE_WITH_YOUR_PENCIL__-new_en-2603.html

Please share this news with your friends and family!