Brainstorm in Bloom: Flower Pot Bug Jar (Single Stem Idea)

Thursday, July 26, 2012

Flower Pot Bug Jar (Single Stem Idea)

My boys have me trained to inspect everything before it hits the recycle bin to see if it will be a good bug jar ~ we have a variety of tubs, cups and boxes piled in a cabinet just waiting for a bug to come our way. I am always trying to think of a more creative bug jar than just a plastic bottle with holes poked into it. So as I was rummaging through another craft cabinet I ran across some small flower pots that I have had for 10 or so years. My brain started churning on what they could be used for since planting flowers in small pots makes me crazy because you have to water them every time you turn around.

What I came up with is this….
Single Stem idea of Flower Pot Bug Jars for
Sprouts and Seedlings (toddler/preschool and elementary age)...

The Stuff	The Prep	The FUN!
Small flower pot Acrylic paints or permanent markers Paint brushes Empty water bottle Scrap of tulle (or small screen) Rubber band Small sponge Dirt (we used a scoop from the compost) Clipping from a plant or flower *optional – pretty pebbles or beads	Cut top and bottom off of water bottle Cut sponge into a small square and dip in water	1. Use paintbrushes and paint (or permanent markers) to make bugs (or whatever your kiddo wants) on the outside of the flower pot. Let dry. 2. Fill flower pot with dirt (or compost). 3. Clip a plant and stick in the center of the dirt (keep in mind it needs to fit inside the water bottle when it is put on top). Add wet sponge and pebbles/beads. The boys also put some more water on top of the soil. 4. Put tulle on top of water bottle (w/ bottom and top cut off) and affix with a rubber band. 5. Go bug hunting! Our favorite for this bug jar are pill bugs (aka.roly poly)!* 6. Place the bug on top of the soil and push water bottle into soil to create a Flower Pot Bug Jar! you may want to add some soaked raisins or other fruit in the jar for the bugs to snack on. make sure the bug gets let back into their “real habitat” after a bit.