Series: Spring
Wondering how to get your little ones in the Spring spirit? Or maybe you're nannying and drawing a blank on some fresh, new, and fun ideas to try? Here at Plantsmart we've got your back, no need for bored little ones; try these rad and inexpensive projects that will grab any child's attention (who knows, you might even be egg-cited to do these projects yourself?). The best part, and the main ingredient, is eggs, so let's get crackin'!
SEED BOMBS
To create these awesome seed bombs, there are two ways or methods to do this specific project. The first method is to keep the egg intact; the other is to use a paper mulch mix and make something that "looks" like an egg.
METHOD No. 1 | EGG SHELL SEED BOMBS
This method keeps the egg intact, and the seeds go inside to create a "seed bomb."
WHAT YOU'LL NEED
Carton of eggs
Wildflower seeds (wildflowers are most commonly used for this project, or select a "like-family" seed and create a custom seed mix)Large needle (darning type)
Candle (Note if you opt for the paper mache sealing method, you will not need the candle)
Potting Soil
Small Funnel or Construction Paper (to form a funnel)
Tissue Paper (Note: all items below are for the paper mache sealing method; if you use the candle, you will not need all the things on the line and below)
"School" Glue (Non-Toxic, like Elmer's Glue)
Paint Brush
THE STEPS
Step 1: Start the process of blown and dried egg shells; by blowing your eggs. (Like blowing up a balloon, it can make you light-headed, so take your time.) Prick a hole at each end of the egg and blow out the egg insides (gross, but the price you must pay). Once your egg shells are empty, rinse them thoroughly with warm water, leaving them to dry inside and out. This process could take overnight.
Note: Before starting step 2, ensure your eggshells have dried completely. Setting aside the shells for a week after completing this process is often best.
Step 2: Next, seal up the top hole (the pointy end of the egg). You can do this one of two ways to seal the hole, paper mache method or wax seal.
Wax Seal: Do this by dripping a drop of hot wax from a candle onto the top of the egg. Once the wax has cooled and hardened, you can clean it up by scraping and smoothing over the surface, ensuring the hole remains sealed.
Paper Mache: Spread a little glue around the smaller hole in one end of the egg. Cut a small piece of tissue paper and stick it down onto the glue. Then paint over the tissue until it lays flat against the eggshell.
Note: This step is only for one side of the egg; leave the other side open for the next step, filling the egg with seeds. You will seal the other hole once the egg is filled at the end of step 3.
Step 3: Finally, the seeds, you may want to make the hole a little bigger by carefully working your needle around the hole. You can use whatever seeds you would like; wildflower seeds work well (if your seeds don't come with 'spreading medium' - sawdust, then you'll need potting soil). To get the seeds inside the egg, you'll need a funnel; store-bought, or hand-made, pour your seed mix into your funnel, ensuring the seeds get into the egg.
Note: Repeat step 2 (whatever method you prefer) to seal the other side of the egg.
END RESULTS
Now that you're all done, you have seed bombs to plant in the garden with your little ones! Look for signs of growth, and observe patterns, habits, roots, and shoots of the seedlings you planted!
METHOD No. 2 | PAPER EGG SEED BOMBS
This method is to create something that "looks" like an "egg" but is a blend of paper mache and seeds to create a "seed bomb."
You can make these seed bombs with simple materials pulled straight from the recycling bin or use scraps of colored paper. You can also save the bits and pieces of whole sheets for even more seed bombs.
WHAT YOU'LL NEED
3-4 Packages of Seeds (again, wildflower seeds work well, but feel free to use whatever seeds your heart desires)
3 Sheets of Construction Paper (whatever colors fit your mood)
Food Processor (optional, but makes mulching easier)
Scissors
Water
3 Small Containers
Baking Sheet and Parchment Paper (for drying seed bombs)
THE STEPS
Step 1: Start by cutting your construction paper into one-inch squares. Place each color separately in a container.
Step 2: Add water once you have cut up all your paper squares and each container is ready. Cover the paper entirely and allow to soak for 20 minutes.
Step 3: Once 20 minutes is up, take one container and squeeze the excess water out of the paper. Place the piece of paper in the food processor and pulse until the paper becomes pulp! Place the pulp back into its container. Repeat with the following two colors until you have three containers of pulp.
Step 4: Divide the packages of seeds between the three containers, gently mixing them into the pulp.
Step 5: Start by taking a bit of each color from each container and forming it into a ball.
Step 6: Place your homemade seed bombs on a parchment-lined baking tray. Press a few more seeds into the balls if you think they need a few more. Let your tray dry overnight.
END RESULTS
Once everything has dried, you now have seed bombs, oval and similar in shape to the egg-style seed bomb. You and your little one can now look for signs of growth and observe patterns, habits, roots, and shoots of the seedlings you planted!
NO WASTE EGG PLANTERS
This project takes the eggs and upcycles them into egg planters—a fun and engaging way to show your kids the stages of seed growth. You and your little one can watch the sprouts blossom into tiny, beautiful little plants that you can later plant into the ground.
WHAT YOU'LL NEED
Egg Shells (However many you want to plant)
Egg Carton (This works even better with a paper mache-based carton, plastic or styrofoam will not work for this project)
Soil
Seeds ( use a couple of different types to compare, plant, flower, or food-bearing seeds)
Water
Spoon or small scoop
THE STEPS
STEP 1: Place your dried eggshells in the egg cartons and fill them with the soil. Use a couple of different types of seeds, and make sure to separate one set of eggs from another.
STEP 2: Push the seed gently into each eggshell's soil, and check to ensure the seed is covered with dirt.
STEP 3: Use a small dropper or spray bottle to water your seedling starts. Do not overwater!
END RESULTS
Visual signs the seed has plumped out
Roots popping out of sides ("Root Hairs")
Roots pushing down the soil
Looking for shoots
Once your little sprouts are over 1-2" tall, you are ready to plant them in the ground! If your roots have yet to break through the egg shell wall, take a thumb tack and poke a few holes in the bottom for drainage to ensure root rot doesn't set in before they've had a chance to grow into their mature plant stages! You and the kids at home can now sit back and admire as the plant changes and grows!
(Curious about growth and propagation? Click the link below and check out the propagation blog series )
"RUBBER" EGGS
This project doesn't involve seeds but still uses eggs! This one is pretty quick to set up; you'll need the patience to see the results!
WHAT YOU'LL NEED
Raw Eggs
Household Vinegar
Jar or Vase
THE STEPS
STEP 1: Place an egg in the jar and cover with vinegar.
Optional Step: Color the vinegar with food coloring for colorful rubber eggs!
STEP 2: Wait and watch!
Note: The bubbles on the eggshell happen to be the acid in the vinegar reacting with the calcium carbonate in the shell. This reaction produces a gas called carbon dioxide!
STEP 3: Once you've waited 48 hours, remove the egg and rinse it off. It may have a layer of brown scum on the egg, which is easy to wash away.
Note: The hard outer shell is gone, and a thin membrane surrounds the egg white and yolk.
RESULTS
You can now test all the variables that the new state of your egg(s) can withstand. Try out these experiments:
Can your egg bounce?
With a flashlight, will your egg glow/illuminate?
Take a pencil and see if the egg will pop!
Try some of these fun activities or make up some of your own!
SOURCES
Burton, Liz. “How to Make Seed Bomb Easter Eggs.” Me and My Shadow, 1 Jan. 1970, http://missielizzie-meandmyshadow.blogspot.com/2013/02/how-to-make-seed-bomb-easter-eggs.html.
Education.com. “Design Challenge: Glowing Bouncy Egg: Activity.” Activity | Education.com, 9 Oct. 2019, https://www.education.com/activity/article/design-challenge-glowing-bouncy-egg/.
"Egg in Vinegar Experiment for Kids." Little Bins for Little Hands, 19 June 2022, https://littlebinsforlittlehands.com/naked-egg-experiment-rubber-egg-science/.
Lenhart, Amanda. "The Summer Care Gap." New America, 24 May 2018, https://www.newamerica.org/better-life-lab/reports/summer-care-gap/.
"Planting Seeds in Eggshells." Little Bins for Little Hands, 16 Nov. 2021, https://littlebinsforlittlehands.com/egg-shell-seed-growing-science-experiment/.
Quinn, David M., and Morgan Polikoff. "Summer Learning Loss: What Is It, and What Can We Do About It?" Brookings, Brookings, 9 Mar. 2022, https://www.brookings.edu/research/summer-learning-loss-what-is-it-and-what-can-we-do-about-it/.
Silver, Sheri. “Seed Bombs for Earth Day.” Sheri Silver, 29 Mar. 2022, https://sherisilver.com/2017/04/21/seed-bombs-for-earth-day/.
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