Build a Worm Hotel
Start observing nature with this easy craft, giving earthworms a temporary “hotel” in a dirt-filled container.
While You Play
Explain to your child that we need worms for many reasons — like helping plants and their roots grow by mixing soil, and also as food for birds. As you build your hotel, encourage your child to think: What might he see after one day? How about after a few days?
Discuss where you might find worms in your neighborhood. Explain to your child that worms usually live in soil, like in gardens or under rocks. Why should we return the worms outside when we’re finished
learning from them? Remind your child that it’s important to respect nature by returning the worms to their natural environment.
What You'll Need
Directions
Remove the top of the two-liter bottle, and cover the cut edges with tape to protect yourself (and the worms!).
Fill the smaller bottle with warm water, put the cap back on, and place it in the middle of the two-liter bottle. This should push the worms to the outside of the bottle, making them easier to observe.
Fill the two-liter bottle with alternating layers of sand and soil. Add a layer of dry leaves so the worms have some food. Stop adding layers when the bottle is ¾ full. Make sure the soil is damp, but not too wet. Talk with your child about how you want the “hotel” to be as much like their outdoor home as possible.
Now for the worm hunt! Prompt your child to dig in places they might find worms. If your child is squeamish or you can’t find any worms, you can find packages of night crawlers in the bait section of a local fishing or general merchandise store.
Once the worms are in, add a few more dried leaves to the bottle. Then wrap a piece of dark colored construction paper around the bottle so the worms are more comfortable moving to the edges of the bottle.
Let the worm hotel sit for a day then check on it. Use your magnifying glass for a better view of the worms. Continue to check on it each day for a few days or up to a week – then set the worms free. Make sure to place them in an environment like the one you’ve built!
Science