DIY Terrarium: Your Own Mini Rainforest
The Rainforest Book has been one of our favorite Earth Month reads, and we finally finished it. I learned so much alongside the boys about why rainforests are important, the super cool creatures that call them home, and how we can all take better care of them.
There is an activity at the end to make your own rainforest terrarium, which I casually said, "Oh, maybe we should make that sometime." Minutes later, I walked past the kitchen to find Weston standing on a counter fishing around for something in the shelves. He darted outside with it and then came in a few minutes later asking me for activated charcoal! 😆 Needless to say, we made a terrarium with items we found around our house, and in case you're looking for an awesome Earth Day craft with your kiddos, here's how you can, too.
Materials You’ll Need
Large glass container: A jar with a lid works perfectly.
Small rocks or pebbles: To create the base layer.
Activated charcoal: I used food-grade charcoal, but they also sell it specifically for plants. This helps filter the water and keep the terrarium healthy.
Potting soil
1-3 small tropical plants: Like palms or ferns. We borrowed a baby offshoot from a big fern in our backyard.
Spray bottle: To mist the plants.
Toy animals: The kind that would live in a rainforest.
Step-by-Step Instructions
Add the rocks: Pour about one inch of small rocks or pebbles into the bottom of the glass container. This is for drainage.
Add the charcoal: Add a thin layer of activated charcoal on top of the rocks.
Add the soil: Add a layer of soil, leaving enough space at the top for your plants.
Water the soil: Mist the soil with water so it is damp but not soggy.
Plant your plant: Gently plant your small tropical plant(s) in the soil.
Add animals: This is a fun part for the kids! We had a blast talking through which animals would be in a rainforest and which ones wouldn't. Add your toy animals to the terrarium.
Final touches: Lightly mist the plants with water, then put the lid on the container and place it in a well-lit space away from direct sun.
You'll be able to see the rainforest water cycle for yourself! You will notice water droplets on the inside of the terrarium where the plants have released moisture. The water will drip down the sides into the soil where the plants' roots will absorb the water, starting the cycle all over again.
This book is an awesome addition to any mini conservationist collection, and this craft is a perfect way to bring the lessons to life.
More ways to grow a little optimism?
If you loved creating your own tiny world in a terrarium, continue to be inspired with a story about big ideas. Check out our post on Book Spotlight: The Last Straw, a Flood of Optimism for Our Planet for a powerful read that will leave you feeling hopeful about the future.