Every Earth Day the kids and I try to figure out new projects to do. This year we wanted to figure out how to make your own terrarium. Since we just moved we didn’t want to make anything really large, instead we grabbed some quart size ball jars and had a blast!
Making your own terrarium is really easy. It’s also a lot of fun. It costs us less than $5 for each terrarium, and the kids now have a little bit of the outdoors that they can take care of in their rooms! Let’s get started!
Supplies
- Quart Sized Ball Jar
- Sheet Moss
- Organic Potting Soil
- River pebbles
- Activated Charcoal (only if you are closing your terrarium)
- Small succulents or ferns (ask your local gardening store for plants good for a small terrarium)
Directions:
- Make sure your jar is nice and clean before you start!
- At the bottom add a thin layer of river pebbles. This will help act as your drainage
- Next, place a layer of the sheet moss.
- Now it’s time to add an inch or two of potting soil!
- Then you add your plants! Make sure they are all covered with dirt.
- To finish off your terrarium, add a layer of sheet moss over the dirt.
- Then decorate with any extras. We opted to throw in a few extra pebbbles, and my son added his Lego man to watch guard!
- Add water and watch your terrarium grow!
Whether it’s Earth Day, or you are just looking for a fun activity for the kids, this is a great easy activity to show your children a mini eco-system. Water it as necessary and give it a little sunshine. You will have your own little mini garden in no time!
lena says
That is so pretty awesome – love how creative it is and kids can so get creative with this stuff
Jenna Wood says
What a fun Spring project for the kiddos, Sabrina would love this. It’s also a great way to upcycle some of those forgotten toys!
Dawn says
I LOVE that you made your terrarium in a Kerr Jar!
bre dale says
Very neat idea. Fun for all to look at and enjoy
Amber Edwards says
That is so cute! And I especially love the cute Lego guy in the terrarium! lol. My kids would love that feature.
Kristin says
I LOVE this!! Totally want to try it out with my niece. Perfect idea for a little “craft” project for a 4yo!
SHELLEY R ZUREK says
THe terrarium guard is a riot. I never thought about how quick and easy this is.
mel says
That is truly adorable!!!
Paula Robinson says
I think I found our weekend project!
Great fun post!
Kristyn says
my daughter would love to make a project like this!
Sarah says
Where do you place the activated charcoal if you are planning on closing the jar? Do you mix it in with the soil?
Ashley Sears says
Sarah, you just toss the activated charcoal at the bottom underneath soil. It acts as a filter so mold and such doesn’t build up in the terrarium.
sue says
Love the LEGO guy addition.