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This simple root planter gives children the gratification of watching something grow. Talk to them about the elements that all living things need to grow, such as water, food and light. As the roots begin to develop, examine the different stages of growth or have the child keep sketches in a notebook. What this activity will develop:
Science skills What you'll need: - Litre milk carton
- Craft knife
- Sheet of acrylic
- Potting soil
- Seeds of three different plants
- Spray water bottle
Setting up: - Make sure an adult helps with all cutting activities. Cut one side from the milk carton. (Save this piece to use in step 5.) The cut-out area will be the top of the planter.
- Cut a flap on one side of the carton.
- Measure the carton diagonally and mark the acrylic to the size needed. Use a craft knife to score the lines marked. Place the acrylic on a table edge and apply pressure along the scored lines to break it.
- Fit the acrylic into the carton diagonally. (The acrylic is slanted so that the roots, which grow straight down, will be visible.)
- Cut two triangular dividers to fit inside the planter.
- Fill the three sections with soil.
What to do: - Plant a different type of seed in each section, near the acrylic. Spray the soil with water until it is damp. Tape the window flap shut. (Remember that roots grow in darkness.)
- Every few days, briefly open the window to see what's going on inside the planter. Check to see if the seeds have sprouted, and take note of when the roots appear and how the roots of the three types of plants differ. Keep the soil slightly damp as the plants develop.
- As a variation to this activity, compare the growth of plants in various soils. Plant one section of the planter with potting soil, one with garden soil and one with a mixture of sand and plant fertilizers. Note the differences in plant growth in each type of soil.
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