Preview draft. Activities have not been tested with caregivers.
Nature · The activity desk
Growing garden face pot
Decorate a paper pot sleeve and watch an adult-planted seed grow above it.
Let's play →
A little plan for play
Open interactive activity →Add to play journal →What you need
A small plant pot with drainage and tray, untreated seeds of a known non-toxic plant, potting mix, water, paper, child-appropriate crayons, and tape
Age: 3–5 years; choose for the individual child.
Stay with the child throughout. Check the space and supplies, including anything within reach of younger siblings. Skip any activity that is unsuitable. Stop if a child puts non-food material in their mouth or becomes distressed. Use intact books, full sheets of paper, a large child-appropriate crayon and a clean, dry towel. Follow product labels; remove torn paper and keep broken crayons and caps away from children. Adult handles and stores supplies.
Set up: An adult checks the plant and seed packet, handles the seeds and potting mix, and plants them in the pot according to the packet.
Adult's role: Handle soil, seeds, watering, and tape. Keep the pot out of reach between supervised observations and wash hands after handling soil.
Let's make it happen
- Draw a face on the paper while the adult prepares the pot.
- Ask the adult to wrap and tape the picture around the outside of the pot without blocking its drainage holes.
- Look at the pot together on later days. Notice when a shoot appears above the face and draw how it changes.
Make it simpler: Draw a face on paper and watch an adult care for the pot.
Clean up: The adult cleans the work surface and stores supplies. Wash hands after handling the pot or soil.
Seeds are a choking hazard. An adult handles soil and seeds, and keeps the pot away from mouths and younger children. Do not taste the plant or soil.