Caring for Plants

What You Need:

• Plant of choice (such as basil, philodendron, succulents, etc.)
• Household items to create a label for the plant, such as markers, wine corks, popsicle sticks, and/or clothespins.
• Access to a computer or encyclopedic book to conduct research
• Paper and pencil for note-taking

What You Do:

1. First, identify or acquire a plant of your, or your child’s, choosing. This could be more than one plant if your child would like to care for several!
2. Then, introduce this Earth Day activity to your child. Tell them that they are going to research their plant, then create a mini garden that they will care for.
3. Before your child makes their garden, have them research the plant that they purchased. Tell them to focus especially on the care requirements for their plant. For example, your child should learn how often the plant must be watered, and how much sunlight it requires to grow. Have your child take notes on a piece of paper.
4. After your child has finished researching, ask them to create a plan of care based on what the plant needs. Have your child plan exactly how they want to keep their plant alive. For example, your child can plan the exact days they will need to water the plant.  
5. Next, have your child create their mini garden. Allow them to create a label for the plant using household items, such as markers, wine corks, popsicle sticks, and clothespins.
6. Support your child as they care for their plant over the course of a couple of weeks. As your child cares for their plant, ask them some of the following questions to encourage reflection:
   • How many times per week does the plant need to be watered?
   • In what type of environment does this plant flourish?
   • What do you notice about the changes your plant goes through day by day, depending on weather and sun exposure?

Capitalize on your child’s creativity by encouraging them to create a “small world” for their plant by putting down gems, small fairy figurines or unicorns, gnomes, or other items that will make them smile. This activity will empower your child to see that every small action counts!