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Crafts will always be a very important teaching tool for
anyone teaching little kids. Kids learn
best by "doing." Homeschoolers and especially unschoolers can use this balloon
craft as part of a biology lesson. This is a wonderful kids' craft idea, that
is fun and easy to do and also a great first lesson about plants. This craft
use balloons so watch the little ones, while you are doing this craft, to
prevent suffocation!
All you need for this kids' craft idea is a medium or
large sized, clear balloon, a little earth and water, some seeds, a small
funnel and a piece of string. Radish seeds work well, but you could use almost
any seeds that are easy to grow.
Kid's Craft Ideas Step by Step – How to make your
first balloon garden
1. Don't
blow your balloon up yet! Put the mouth of the balloon over the funnel and hold
it firmly in place (this is where an extra pair of adult hands comes in
useful!) Tip in around a ½ cup of earth – enough to almost fill the deflated
balloon.
2. Now
gradually add water, via the funnel again, until the earth is wet through.
Don't put too much water in or it will all just turn to mud and start
overflowing!
3. Dry
your funnel, then add your final ingredients, the seeds, into the balloon,
still holding it firmly in its upside down position.
4. Still
holding the balloon upside down, so that you don't get a mouthful of dirt,
carefully blow it up.
5. Tightly
make a knot in the top of the balloon, then tie your string around it and use
the string to hook the balloon garden up near a window or other well-lit place.
Making balloon gardens is a fun thing to do at birthday
parties, and will keep the kids occupied and happy for ages – as long as you
don't mind the mess! On a summer's day, it's best done in the backyard.
Balloon gardens also make lovely gifts, the children can
make them for an adult friend or relative and the recipient will be delighted –
especially when they hang the balloon garden up and it grows green and lush.
Grandmothers and grandfathers especially love this kid's
craft idea – either to do with the kids (especially a granddad who is a
gardening enthusiast) or just to receive a balloon garden craft as a gift. They
will love that the kids will want to keep coming back to visit them and seeing
how their balloon garden is growing.
When the balloon garden slowly dies off, it is a good
opportunity to explain to your kids about the cycle of life, and to help them
make a new balloon garden! Use this opportunity to teach them a variety of
facts about nature, not only the cycle of life. Plants need water, fresh air,
good soil etc. to grow. You can also work a lesson about seasons into this
craft.
Enjoy your "Balloon Craft."
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