Toddler Science: Creating a Terrarium
Toddler Science: Create a terrarium with a plastic soda bottle. A great Green Project for kids!
DESCRIPTION
Planting is a great kids science activity that introduces many concepts naturally.
Using a soda bottle, make this easy terrarium! Great as a classroom activity too.
MATERIALS
One 2-liter bottle of soda (with cap)
Choice of Small Plants (Ivy is a good choice)
Small stones or pebbles to line one to two inches deep on the bottom.
Potting Soil
Sharp Scissors (adult only)
Plastic spoon
Newspaper to work on
Paper plate to remove plant from pot and separate individual plants.
OPTIONAL MATERIALS
Charcoal Granules (optional)
Spaghum Moss (optional)
STEPS
- Cut bottom half of soda bottle four-six inches from the bottom. You may need to poke a hole with tip of scissors to start the cut. (Adult only)
- First, put one inch of coarse sand, gravel, or pebbles. This is the drainage layer that captures excess moisture.
- Add a thin layer of charcoal granules. This keeps odors from developing. You can buy this at a well stocked pet store or at a garden center.(optional)
- Add a layer of Sphagnum Moss. This serves to keep soil from seeping into the drainage layer.(optional)
- Add 3-4 inches of potting soil.
- Select the plants you want. Remove from pot and gently separate a single plant.
- With plastic spoon dig a small hole where the plant is to be placed.
- Plant your plants carefully. Create a small hole and set or tip your plant in. Make sure all roots are in the hole.
- Fill soil on and around the roots, and tamp down lightly. Add a spoonful of soil if necessary. Give space to grow between plants.
- After planting, add water to make soil moist but not soggy.
- Slide top of bottle over the bottom. If it is too tight, make a small 1/2 inch slit on each piece and fit carefully.
- Place screw on bottle top on bottle.
TIPS AND SUGGESTIONS
Gather all the materials needed before beginning this toddler science activity.
When selecting plants, choose ones that have similar growing conditions. Since you don't want to keep it in direct sunlight, keep that in mind.
Keep your Terrarium out of direct sunlight. Direct sunlight can cause temperatures in the enclosed environment to rise rapidly and your container will get foggy.
It is best to spray it into the container rather than pouring it in. Close the container and check it daily for the first few days.
If the soil appears too dry, add a little water. If it appears too moist and the container becomes foggy, take the top off for a while to allow some evaporation.
You can find some of the materials at the Dollar Tree or similar stores. Pebbles, containers and even the peat moss. Each store may vary their selection so call ahead.
EDUCATIONAL TIPS
Terrariums are a self contained environment. Once they are established, they need nothing from the outside except a little indirect sunlight. They do not even need
water for a long period of time.
Moisture in the Terrarium evaporates from the soil and plant leaves. It condenses on the Terrarium walls (sides of the soda bottle) You can point out the water droplets
to your child to show how the plants are being watered. The condensed water then falls down and re-moistens the soil.
As long as the top is sealed, this process will continue for months.
On the first couple days the container may appear cloudy...by the third day water droplets started to form.
You can also introduce the concept of recycling in this toddler science activity!
GLASS TERRARIUM 6+ with assistance
The glass container allows for easy viewing of the layers. When selecting your container make sure your child's hand can fit easily into the top of
the container.
Fun plastic figurines make this one special!
SCIENTIFIC PROCESSES USED
Observation
Seeing the plants.
Feeling the soil and plants
Communication
Silent Showing how to dig a hole by demonstrating
Oral Lots of verbal discussion when purchasing plants, learning about the different types and giving directions
Pictorial Reading a book or researching online plants to grow
Comparing
Measuring where to cut, amount of pebbles and dirt
Quantity Comparison How many seeds or plants planted
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Thanks for stopping by! Comments Are Welcome!