Equipment

• Scissors

Materials

• 1 empty 2-liter plastic soda bottle
• Loose pebbles or small rocks
• Potting soil
• Small plants or seeds (something that won’t grow too big)
• Small decorations like stones or plastic critters (optional)

Instructions

1. Wash the soda bottle and remove the label.
2. Draw a line about 4 inches from the bottom of the bottle.
3. Cut off the bottom of the bottle along the line. (An adult should do this step.)
4. Place about 1 inch of pebbles in the bottom of the bottle.
5. Add about 2 inches of potting soil on top of the pebbles.
6. Plant seeds or small plants in the soil.
7. Add decorations if you have them.
8. Water the soil lightly until it is moist, but not soaked.
9. Slide the top part of the bottle back onto the bottom. You may need to gently squeeze the bottom to fit it together.
10. Place the terrarium in a sunny window.

Notes

• If the bottle gets too much condensation, remove the top for a little while to let it dry out.
• To water, just mist the plants when the soil looks dry.
• For a variation, try planting different types of seeds and observe which grows best.
• Always have an adult do the cutting step to avoid injury.

For more information, see https://scoutermom.com/85/make-a-soda-bottle-terrarium/