What You’ll Need
- Quart-size carton
- Seed-starting medium or potting soil
- Grass seed
- Craft foam
- Scissors
- Glue
- Colored markers
- Wiggle eyes*
What to Do
- Cut a quart-size carton 2½ inches from the base. Punch a few drainage holes in the bottom.
- Glue craft foam around the carton. Create ears and a bow tie using craft foam, and glue them on. Add details with markers. Glue on wiggle eyes.
- Fill the carton with potting soil topped with grass seed.
- Put the carton in sunlight, water the seeds, and watch the leprechaun’s “hair” grow.
*Wiggle eyes are potential choking hazards for kids ages 4 and younger, so close supervision is a must.
Extend the Fun
For younger kids: Using craft foam, markers, and wiggle eyes, have your youngster create different faces on each side of the carton. Try opposites: happy/sad, awake/asleep, boy/girl. Or draw a favorite animal: cat, dog, gentle bunny or lamb, or scary monster. For a no-grow alternative with a spiky effect, poke the soil with drinking straws, bamboo skewers, artificial flowers, crayons, or colored pencils
For older kids: Change it up. Instead of grass, let your child plant herbs. In 10 days, the sprouts of feathery dill or fluffy cilantro start to appear; in two weeks, spiky chives or bouncy oregano. Broaden your gardening knowledge by transplanting the herbs outdoors as the weather warms. Water and pinch back accordingly.
