How to Make a Kid's Terrarium
Terrariums are self-contained ecosystems created in a variety of containers. Making a children's terrarium is a fun, inexpensive learning activity that teaches children about plant development and the process of photosynthesis. Plants, such as succulents or cacti, provide a starting point, as these plants require little water or maintenance to grow successfully. With a few gardening materials, a variety of plants, and a few techniques, a kid's terrarium is a science activity that is educational and fun. Does this Spark an idea?
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Things You'll Need
- Glass fish bowl
- Small pebbles or stones
- Horticultural charcoal
- Potting soil
- Assorted succulent plants
- Newspaper
- Green moss
- Chopstick
- Spoon
- Plastic wrap
- Trinkets
Instructions
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Creating a children's terrarium.
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1
Design a plan. Before you begin assembling your children's terrarium it is important to decide the type of vessel, the variety of plants and location of your finished terrarium. These decisions help with the ultimate choice of plants.
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2
Wash and dry your fishbowl. Use a mild dish soap, wash the inside and outside, and dry with a soft cloth.
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3
Lay a thin layer of pebbles on the inside bottom. This willl form a base to aid with drainage.
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4
To aid with odor control of the water in the terrarium, lay a half inch of activated charcoal on top of your pebbles or stones.
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5
Add a layer of green moss on top of the charcoal to keep the soil out of the pebbles. Your soil will sit on the moss.
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6
Scoop a thick layer of soil mixture into your vessel on top of the moss. Gently arrange the soil in a uniform thickness.
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7
Using a spoon, dig holes in the soil in preparation for transplantation of plants.
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8
Take plants out of their containers and arrange them on a piece of newspaper to formulate how you want to place them into your vessel.
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9
Transplant your plants carefully in the holes you dug. Gently pat the potting soil around the plants.
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10
Add trinkets. Include colorful rocks, statues and other embellishments.
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11
Put water in a spray bottle and wet the plants.
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12
Cut a piece of plastic wrap and gently lay it over the open top of the terrarium to keep the plants moist.
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13
Read the instructions that came with your plants and put your kid's terrarium in an area that gets the proper amount of sunshine for optimal success and enjoyment.
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1
Tips & Warnings
Watch your terrarium carefully for the first week to make sure it is getting the proper amount of water. There should be water droplets on the top of the plastic wrap to indicate adequate levels.
Do not over water your terrarium.
Occasionally rotate your vessel to encourage plants to grow straight.
You can obtain green moss from your backyard or order it online.
Choose succulents that do not have sharp needles, so young children do not get injured.
References
Resources
- Photo Credit ice plant image by Jennifer Altman from Fotolia.com
