Tuesday, February 8, 2011

Kids Nature Walk Terrariums


Look what we found!
I love going on nature walks. Especially, when the weather is nice. I will usually take out my group of kids; paper bags in tow, and we march along singing every song we know while picking up bits of nature. By the time we get back: share our finds, and are ready for a nap, nature has made a lovely fragrant carpet all over the classroom!
Now, we have found a lovely Nature Terrarium project that the parents won't mind the children taking home.

What You'll Need Before Your Nature Walk: 
  • Assorted clean small jars with lids
  • Moss (At local pet shops or craft supply stores)
  • Small bowl of water or squirt bottle of water
  • Magnifiers (optional)
What the Children Should Look for During the Nature Walk:
  • Pine Needles
  • Leaves
  • Twigs
  • Flowers
  • Bark
Pix from ourbigearth.com
The Process: Spread out all your findings on a table and inspect them with magnifiers. Gently dampen pieces of moss and securely cover the bottom of the lid with it. from there the kids can make nature arrangements with their findings in the moss.
Once they are finished, help them fasten the lid over their work. The jar helps hold the moss and everything in place!
How to care for you Nature Walk Terrarium: Place it in a lovely place in the classroom to showcase them in indirect sunlight.

Thank you Robbin Rivers from ourbigearth.com for this great idea!



2 comments:

Kate @ An Everyday Story said...

Terrariums have been on my list of things to do for a while now. I just love them. They are so simple and fascinating.

Barbra The Bloggess said...

You said it, Kate. I love them in the classroom but it's really hard for the kids to keep them here. They get smuggled out so we do them a few times a year.