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Kids green crafts with Live Plants

You can combine science with crafts and make kids green crafts projects, and the finished products make attractive and interesting displays. Unlike other crafts, living craft projects grow and change rather than gather dust. Here are some ideas on how to do some of these green crafts with your kids. I am by no means a tree hugger type of person. But I do believe with simple common sense ideas we can make the world a better place to live with these kids green crafts.

1. Terrarium

There are very few crafts that teach children so much about how an ecosystem works than a terrarium. And it gets better from there. You can also teach your kids about recycling at the same time by planting your terrarium in a used 2-liter plastic bottle. Here’s how.

Materials:
Empty, clear 2-liter plastic bottle
Small pot or container that will fit inside the bottle
Pea-sized gravel
Potting soil
Assorted plants or seeds
Scissors or sharp knife (adult supervision needed)

Using the scissors or knife (a serrated bread knife works best), cut the bottom off the bottle. This also can be done by an adult. Depending on the childs age. Place some gravel in the bottom of the container for drainage. Then add the soil and plant the plants or seeds. Water your seeds or plants well, then place the top of the bottle over the container. For fun, let your kids put tiny figurines or houses in the dirt around the plants (if using seeds, these fun additions can be added later). Cap the bottle and place it in a sunny spot.

2. Plants in Cans

This is another great project for kids green crafts that makes use of recycling. Save up your used food cans and give this project a try.

Materials:
Seeds or seedlings (herbs do well in pots, especially parsley, basil, mint, and chives)
Potting soil
Large nail
Hot glue gun
Objects such as beads and buttons that can be glued onto the outside of the cans (you can also use paint or stickers)

Before beginning, remove the labels from the cans. Some soaking in warm, soapy water can usually do the trick. Then, using a large nail, punch three or four holes in the bottom of each can (this is a job for an adult, of course!). Let kids decorate the cans as they like, and then fill the cans with soil. Plant seeds or seedlings and place in a sunny window or outdoors. If place in a window make sure you place a small container under your can to catch the draining water.

3. Container Garden

Container gardening can be a lot of fun for kids, especially because much of of the more back breaking tasks of gardening, such as weeding and tilling, are not necessary with containers. Also, you can move the containers to sunny spots as needed. You can do a great many fruits or vegetables in containers; this project focuses on strawberries, a favorite among kids.

 

Materials:

Hanging plant baskets (you can use lots of different containers for strawberries, too)

Potting soil

Strawberry “plugs,” or seedlings

Compost or humus

Plant only one strawberry plant per hanging basket. Your child might enjoy several of these hanging in layers on shepherd’s staffs or from your porch. Fill the basket with potting soil and dig a small hole in the center. Make sure it’s deep enough for the entire “plug” to be under the soil. Water, and feed periodically through the growing season by working compost into the soil.

You can use many variations of plants for this planter project.  Cucumbers can also be grown in hanging baskets. Choose a small variety of pickling cucumbers.  Your kids will love seeing produce sprout up,  The best part is when they get to harvest and eat their project.

Spending time outdoors with your kids will not only grow your relationship but also teach them something also.  Take time out of your lives and make some memories with them.  Before long they will be all grown and out of the house.