Kids: Nature Fun with Children

Nature Treats

Fruit Baskets– the birds and squirrels will love these treats!
* This is a fun project to do with your children, but adults should use the paring knife!

Materials and ingredients needed:

one half large orange for each “basket”
paring knife
pieces of string or yarn, cut about 10 inches long
sunflower seeds
millet seeds
raisins
cheerios
Directions:Cut orange(s) in half and scrape out fruit to make basket.
With paring knife, poke one hole on each upper side of orange
about 1/2 inch from top of orange. Thread string through holes to make a hanger for “basket”.
Fill “basket” with seeds, raisins and cheerios.
Hang “basket” from tree in your yard and peek out now and
then to watch the animals enjoy.

Blossoming Trees
Age 3 and up.
Materials needed:

popped popcorn*
construction paper
marking pens or crayons
glue Directions:
Helpchild draw a tree trunk and branches. Have him/her glue popcorn on branches for blossoms, color tree trunk, add other pictures such as grass, sun, flowers, etc. to their pictures.
When picture is dry, hang picture on a wall at child’s eye level so that he/she can see the art work. Be sure and write his/her name on the project. Seeing his/her name written helps your child to learn to recognize that letters put together make words and helps him/her to recognize his/her name as it is spelled.

* Popcorn can be a choking hazard. Please supervise your child carefully when using popcorn in art work.

Bottle Terrarium Materials:
chenille stems (pipe cleaners)
old spoon
sponge, cut into pieces
cotton balls
large empty candy jar with cover
potting soil
pebbles or gravel
2 low growing small plants

Directions:
Using the chenille stems, wrap one end around a cotton ball. You will use this tool for cleaning up the inside of the bottle after you’ve placed the soil in the bottom so that the sides look neat and clean.

Use another chenille stem and wrap one end around the middle of a square of sponge. You will use this tool to tap down the soil after you’ve planted your garden in your terrarium.

Use another chenille stem and wrap one end around the handle of an old spoon. This will be the tool you use to dig in the soil as you plant your garden.

To prepare your terrarium, place a layer of gravel or pebbles in the bottom of the candy jar. Cover the pebbles with a layer of potting soil (up to about the halfway point on the jar). Press the soil down with your sponge tool.

Use the spoon tool to dig places to put individual plants. Carefully place the plants in the holes you’ve dug and then cover the roots with soil. Be careful not to break off pieces of the roots as this will damage your plant. Lightly tap down the soil around your plants. Give your plants a drink of water and check daily to make sure they are not too dry. (If soil feels slightly damp to your finger, your plants are o.k. and don’t need water. If soil feels dry to your finger, water your plants. Be careful not to overwater!) Place the cover on your jar and place your terrarium in a sunny area. Give your plants plant food every two -three weeks.

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