Mini ecosystem - build a tiny world in a jar

Build your own tiny world in a jar! In this workshop, children will create beautiful miniature gardens using soil, moss, rocks and small plants. They will learn about ecosystems while crafting a living world to take home.

Materials:

• Glass jars

• Small rocks or pebbles

• Activated charcoal

• Potting mix

• Sand

• Moss

• Small grass and succulent cuttings

• Spoons

• Spray bottles of water

• Optional: pebbles and paint for decoration

• Labels and pens

1. Intro: Explain what an ecosystem is and how a terrarium works.

2. Hand out glass jars and guide children to layer in:

3. Rocks, then a sprinkle of charcoal, sand, then soil.

4. Add moss and plants

5. Decorate and name: Paint a pebble to add as decoration. Let children name their terrarium and make a label.

6. Water and close terrarium.

7. Discuss where to place their terrarium at home and how to care for it.

8. Sharing circle: Children introduces their terrarium and says something about it (What it looks like, what they added, what they named it etc.)