Looking for a fun, nature craft to try with your kiddo? Here's a step-by-step guide to growing your very own, hairy grass caterpillar! This project takes around 15 min to do with little ones. You'll start to see grass sprouting around Day 4 or 5 and between 7-9 days for the caterpillar to fully develop.
Supplies
Knee-high nylon stocking
Measuring cup or scooper
Plastic cup with bottom cut off
Pipe cleaners (rubber bands or twist ties also work)
Bag of grass seed
Dirt or soil
Spray bottle
Optional Supplies
Step 1: Fill dish pan/container with fresh dirt or soil
It doesn't matter what type of soil you choose, in the past, I've simply purchased a bag from the Dollar Tree for this activity. (If you have a garden, feel free to collect a bin's worth of soil from your garden)
Step 2: Add 3-4 cups of grass seed
This is a solid amount to go for, but we all know how toddlers can go overboard— not a big deal if they do. We used 1 cup measuring cups, but scoopers also work.
Step 3: Mix grass seeds and soil together
Have your kid stir the seeds around the soil.
Step 4: Use a small funnel to pour dirt inside a stocking
Place funnel or makeshift cup funnel inside the stocking and pour in the dirt and soil mix. Add enough mix to make a head (think: the size of a stress ball). If you're interested in making a quick funnel, just cut off a quarter of a plastic cup.
Step 5: Tie off the section
Tie the section off using a 2 inch piece of pipe cleaner. You can also use twist ties
Step 6: Repeat steps 4 & 5
Repeat the process of adding more dirt and tying off each segment to create 3 more round body parts. You'll want 4 body segments total.
Have your kiddo practice counting the body segments as you go along and perhaps compare the sizes with them aloud. Try asking questions like: Do you know what shape this is? How many circles do we have now? Is this one full enough?
Step 7: Give your caterpillar a bath!
Submerge the caterpillar in a tub of lukewarm water and let it sit for a few hours. This allows the dirt to thoroughly absorb the water.
Step 8: Remove caterpillar from bath
Allow your caterpillar to rest in a tray. No more watering needed the rest of the day.
Step 9: Water daily using a spray bottle
The following day, begin watering your caterpillar daily. Not to worry if your kid goes overboard with the watering. This activity is less about teaching kids to have green thumbs and more about introducing kids to their ability to nurture nature.
Step 10: Water, Wait, & Watch
Continue watering daily. After about 3-4 days, grass will begin to sprout its hair! For toddlers, this may feel like an eternity, but it's a good lesson in patience. As the saying goes, "You can't rush mother nature." By Day 5, your caterpillar will resemble something like the picture below.
Step 11: Enjoy your grass caterpillar!
Between Day 7 and 9, your caterpillar's hair will start getting pretty wild! At this point, feel free to add googly eyes, a pom pom nose, and/or pipe cleaner antennas using a dab of glue .
Bonus Activity:
Engage fine motor skills by inviting kiddos to give the caterpillar a haircut using kid-friendly scissors.
Developmental Skills: Intro to STEM (observation; ) cause & effect; fine motor skills;
Teaches: patience; appreciation for nature; mindfulness
Fun Fact: This activity was adapted from the Better Home & Garden's May 2013 issue, but it's very possible that the concept came from a well-known toy company. In 1994, Spin Master released its first product, the Earth Buddy— a nylon stocking-covered head of sawdust topped with grass seeds!
So, what are you waiting for? Go find an old stocking, grass seed, soil, and get started on this activity with your little one! I hope this project brings just as much joy to your little one as it's bought so many kids in the past! Please share pics of your grassy caterpillar in the comment section below!
Sincerely,
Briesh
P.S. Stay Conscious + Curious
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