In exchange — a cool nature experiment.

This experiment is fun for kids and uses stuff you likely have around the house.

You need:

• Dried beans (maybe six or so)
• A milk carton
• Soil from your garden or yard
• Plaster of Paris

Prep work:

1. Soak your beans overnight in clean water.
2. Wash out your milk carton, cut the top off, and fill it half way with soil.

The experiment process:

1. Water your soil in the milk carton until it’s fully wet but not oozing water — it should feel like a wet sponge.
2. Plant your beans about 3/4 of an inch deep in the soil. (make sure to plant them a bit apart so they can grow).
3. Make your Plaster of Paris mixture. To make it correctly you can follow directions on the container; but you really only need a little bit so you can just spoon a bit out and add water until you get a mixture that’s paste-like but still easy to pour.
4. Pour a thin layer of your plaster mixture over the top of the soil until it’s all the way covered.

Wait a few days and see what happens.

For more cool kid-friendly experiments that involve plants, sun,. and soil check out Gardening Wizardry for Kids by L. Patricia Kite.

Post from: Tree Hugging Family

Let’s see last week’s full picture:

Cute right. A bit slimy but fun. Younger kids can try this outdoor game called Snail’s Pace. That’ll be a first; kids at a snail’s pace!

Alright I’m going to see how hard I can make it this week. You might see this next item shining out in the world when you take a walk.

Guess away! If this one is too easy we’re thinking of a new game folks.

Post from: Tree Hugging Family

I love this picture. One, her kids are adorable playing near the lake, (pond?), river (much like the turtles but, you know, more human-like and less brownish) and two, it’s always great to see families outside in the great outdoors. I also really enjoy the look her son is giving her at the moment. Classic kid camera face.

Hilary writes green-style for b5media as well. She has a great blog called Eco Friendly Driver that covers all green things that go. Hey, that would be a good Dr Seuss book — “All Green Things That Go.” Maybe. Anyhow Hilary is a great writer and her blog is packed with tips and information about electric cars, money issues to consider, new hybrids, ethanol, and other way to drive greener, smarter, and better. Visit today.

Why not introduce your family here at Tree Hugging Family? Even send pictures like Hilary. I’d love to see them.

Lastly don’t forget to grab the kiddos and stop by last week’s Nature Detective game; a new one goes up tomorrow.

Post from: Tree Hugging Family

Hopefully it’s the first day of many that you and your family get those green wheels spinning in your heads; maybe for the first time, or maybe you’re looking to enhance your green living experience or just hang out with other green minded folks.

You may have visited before today; if so welcome back. If it’s your first time at Tree Hugging Family than here are some posts you’ve missed that you may want to take a look at.

• What Tree Hugging Family is all about.
• Introductions; stop by and introduce your green family.
• What kind of trees are good to hug.
• Everything you need to know about the green living audits we have coming up.
• Kids can play nature detective!
• Get those green kids growing.

There’s much more eco-cool stuff coming up so make sure to bookmark, subscribe, and visit often — and bring the whole family.

Post from: Tree Hugging Family