worms

  • ANIMALS/WILDLIFE, LESSONS, OUTDOOR ACTIVITIES

    Nature’s Math: Earthworm Measuring with Kids

    Measuring earthworms with kids is a fun and educational outdoor activity that can provide a great opportunity for children to connect with nature and learn about the world around them. It’s a simple yet engaging activity that requires only a few basic materials and can be easily adapted to suit different age groups and skill levels. Measuring worms can also help children develop important skills such as observation, estimation, and measurement while fostering an appreciation for the natural world.

    Today, UK mom and teacher Hannah of Hobie’s Nature Club is here exploring the fun activity of measuring worms with kids. She provides tips for getting started and offers some fun and creative ideas for turning this activity into a memorable outdoor adventure. Whether you’re a parent, teacher, or caregiver, measuring worms with kids is a great way to get them excited about learning and exploring the wonders of nature.

    A bit about earthworms

    Do you like being outside no matter the weather? Enjoy getting down and dirty with the kids? Well, we have a fun (and educational!) activity for you and your children that can be done in your own backyard — measuring worms!

    Did you know, there are 30 species of earthworm in the UK, all of different sizes and colors? The US has 100 native species (and 60 invasive species) of earthworm.

    Worms are essential to growing food and crops, but it is an ongoing question as to whether they are beneficial or detrimental to our soils. 

    A positive argument for earthworms is that they are responsible for aerating the soil and preventing flooding. They break down decaying plant waste such as leaves and stems. This is why you will always find them in your compost bin. They don’t eat growing flowers like the pesky slugs and snails.  They are, of course, a major part of the food chain for birds and other invertebrates.

    However, some scientists say that worms disturb the roots of growing plants, which can cause problems with their ability to absorb water. And due to worm’s ability to break down decaying matter, they can negatively impact the habitats of animals that live in the decaying leaves.

    facts about worms for kids

    Fun with earthworms

    But good or bad for the environment, earthworms are a part of our wildlife landscape and fun for kids to study and learn about. Measuring earthworms is a great way to not only teach kids about worms, but also spend time outside and do a little math in the process. I hope this activity gets you outdoors, provides a tool to get your children chatting about nature, and provides a fun way of involving learning in your play!

    Treat your worms with kindness

    No matter how we feel about worms, we need to be very careful with them and show them respect, like we do for all living creatures. Make sure all worms you catch are released back into the wild after about 30 minutes of exploration. However, if you still have more activities to do or just want to watch the worms some more, try to find some new worms. Worms are very sensitive. Do not handle them too much, and always use a gentle touch. Remember to keep them moist (use a mister, if necessary) and out of direct sunlight. 

    Worm measuring equipment

    Measuring earthworms is such a simple, free activity you will just need a few basic items:

    • Collecting tray or pot
    • Shovel or trowel for digging
    • Pen and paper
    • Ruler (or we used this very cool worm measuring board)

    earthworm measuring - outdoor spring activities for kids

    Hunting for earthworms

    Once you’ve got your spade and a good damp place picked out, you just need to start digging. The best spots to find worms are usually in darker areas of your yard and where it’s damp, but not too wet.  Make sure you dig around the worms to loosen the soil so you can gently pick them up and place them in your container.  While collecting our worms, we created a competition challenging the kids to see who could get the longest, shortest, fattest, and pinkest worm. When you’ve collected each category, you can start to measure your worms.

    Measuring earthworms

    Now that you’ve got your worms, it’s time to measure them. When measuring worms with kids, it is important to use a technique that is safe, respectful to the animals, and appropriate for the child’s age and developmental level. Here are some tips for measuring worms with kids:

    • Use a ruler or measuring tape: Using a ruler or measuring tape is a great way to measure the length of worms. Show the child how to line up the ruler or tape along the worm’s body to get an accurate measurement.
    • Use a magnifying glass: A magnifying glass can help kids get a better view of the worm’s body, making it easier to measure its length.
    • Be gentle: When handling worms, it is important to be gentle and respectful. Remind kids to be gentle and avoid squeezing or pulling the worms, which can harm them.

    Remember to supervise kids closely when measuring worms and to release the worms back into their natural environment when finished.

    digging for worms with kids - measuring worms
    Make sure you put earthworms back in the soil carefully

    Incorporating learning into the equation

    So how can we incorporate math into this activity? And how can you teach math with earthworms to kids of all ages? 

    Toddlers and preschoolers

    For little kids, have them count the number of earthworms they can find. This can help them learn how to count and recognize numbers. Or, you could let them compare the sizes of different earthworms they find. You can use words like “longer,” “shorter,” and “pinker” to teach them about comparing sizes and colors.

    School-aged children 5-8 years old

    Kids this age should be able to count in steps of 2, 5, 10 and order numbers to 1000. They’ll partition numbers into 100s, 10s, and 1s, add and subtract three-digit numbers, and do basic multiplication. On average, an earthworm is unlikely to be 2 digits long, but this activity can be good practice for one-digit adding. 

    You can also practice estimating with kids this age. Encourage kids to make a guess about how long the worm is before measuring it. This can help them develop their estimation skills and also add an element of fun to the activity.

    Have the kids study the anatomy of earthworms and measure different parts of their bodies, such as their segments or setae (the small bristles on their body). This can help them learn about the structure and function of earthworms. While we were measuring our earthworms, we talked about their segments and how they can lose them and replace them.  It was fun discussing how a bird might grab a worm at his tail but if the worm is quick enough and burrows down he might survive the attack.  We queried whether a worm could replace its head! This led to a discussion about invertebrates and how that means they have no spine just like spiders, butterflies, crabs and lobsters.  The children loved how a worm is actually a terrestrial invertebrate, they enjoyed making out that they were aliens and from another planet!

    earthworm measuring tips for kids

    Older children (8+)

    Older kids may be interested in analyzing the results of their measurements by creating a graph with statistics to show the number of earthworms and the size found by each participant. This can help them learn about graphing and interpreting data.

    You can also challenge older kids to calculate the volume and density of earthworms by measuring their length, width, and height. This can help them practice their math skills and learn about concepts related to volume and density.

    Encourage older kids to design their own experiments related to earthworms, such as testing the effect of different temperatures or light levels on earthworm behavior. This can help them develop their skills in scientific inquiry and experimental design.

    teaching kids math skills through measuring worms

    Making it fun

    Measuring earthworms can be a fun game for kids when presented in an engaging and interactive way. Here are some ideas to turn measuring earthworms into a fun game for kids:

    • Earthworm hunt – Start by having a group of kids search for earthworms in a designated area. The first child to find a worm wins!
    • Earthworm Olympics – Create a series of challenges that involve measuring earthworms, such as “Guess the Length” or “Fastest Worm Measurer.” Award points for each challenge and tally them up at the end to determine the winner.
    • Earthworm art – Encourage kids to draw or paint pictures of the earthworms they find and measure. This can be a fun way to combine art and science. 

    Remember to make the game age-appropriate and provide clear instructions on how to handle the earthworms with care. Emphasize the importance of being gentle and respectful to these creatures.

    Are you kids into worms?
    Have you ever used worms to teach?

    About the author

    Hannah Martin has worked as a PE Teacher in the UK for 15 years. She has always loved being active outdoors. However, she discovered a new passion for nature and appreciating the environment when she had her son Hobie (now 5 years old). Hannah and Hobie’s vision is to inspire parents to spend time doing fun, creative, nature activities outdoors with their children; no matter where they live and whatever the weather. They believe spending time together outdoors as a family will encourage future generations to love and care for the world, wildlife, and environment.

    Find more from Hannah (and Hobie) in the following locations:
    Instagram: @hobies_nature_club
    Website: hobiesnatureclub.co.uk
    YouTube channel: Hobie’s Nature Club
    RWMC Posts: Hannah Martin

  • ANIMALS/WILDLIFE, BOOKS, INFORMATION, NATURE SCHOOL, OUTDOOR ACTIVITIES, URBAN NATURE

    Exploring Worms with Kids

    Worms are fascinating creatures and your child is bound to stumble onto one at some point in their childhood. Chances are they’ve spotted one on the sidewalk after rain or found one while digging in the dirt. Worms are not just exciting to explore and easy to find, but they are also incredibly beneficial to our soil and plant health. Today Katie Fox, full-time RV traveling and hiking mom of two, is here to share all about exploring worms with kids.

    {This post contains affiliate links.}

    Exploring Worms with Kids - Run Wild My Child

    “I do not want to be a fly, I want to be a worm!” — Charlotte Perkins Gilman

    Ways to explore worms with children

    That magic moment when a child finds a worm for the first time is not something you soon forget. Maybe your child shrieked and ran away, leaving behind a fun story to tell them later in life. But, if your children are anything like mine, they will be excited and joyful at finding worms.

    And if your child is the shrieker, have no fear. Exploring worms with kids isn’t all about digging for them and handling them. In fact, you can learn all about worms without ever touching one. So strap on your outdoor play shoes and let’s dive into easy ways to explore worms with your children.

    Where to find worms

    When you go on a worm hunt, one of the very first things you need to know is where to find these elusive creatures. This is not always an easy feat. But with a little determination and some ideas on where to look, you have a high chance of being successful. And remember, if at first, you don’t succeed, dig, dig again.

    Dig in wet dirt

    Wet dirt (not mud) is one of the best places to begin looking for worms with kids. Not only do children enjoy digging in the dirt, but they are more likely to find worms in wet dirt. We always like to start by digging under rain gutters or near water faucets. These areas are usually a bit wetter than the rest of the yard and make great starting points.

    Other places to dig with a high chance of success are in a garden or near a green lawn. These areas are usually watered often and thus make great homes for worms.

    Looking for worms under rocks

    Look under large rocks/stepping stones

    If you’ve ever turned over large rocks you know it is a hub for all dirt-loving critters. If you have access and permission, gently lifting large rocks or stepping stones is another great place to search for worms with kids. Not only are you likely to find worms, but there is a host of so many other tiny critters living in these spaces to explore, identify, and learn about.

    Watch the sidewalks

    If you’ve ever gone for a walk in the rain or immediately after a rainstorm, you’ve surely come across one or more worms resting on the cement. In fact, when it rains a lot, worms surface because the raindrop vibrations feel like predator vibrations. In other words, they are running away from a threat that does not exist. So if digging in the dirt and flipping over rocks aren’t options, just wait until the next rainstorm and head on outside for a walk. The worms are bound to make an appearance and give your children a chance to see and explore them.

    Sometimes the rain will wash them into the street, driveways or sidewalks. We love “saving the worms” when they’re trapped on concrete and gently put them back in the grass to be found another day! 

    Buy them

    Don’t have a good place to dig or keep coming up empty? You can buy bait worms pretty cheap at local bait and tackle shops. Take a small container home and place them in a larger bin or bowl for exploration. If you go this route, make sure to include some moist soil to keep the worms healthy.

    Exploring worms with kids safely

    Worm exploring safety tips

    Exploring worms with kids is such a fun and easy activity. Little to no prep is needed and it can easily happen spontaneously or with a little planning. As with any living creature, it is important to know how to explore worms safely. Here are some quick tips to make sure you handle your worms as safely as possible.

    • 30 minutes or less: Make sure all worms you catch are released back into the wild after about 30 minutes of exploration. However, if you still have more activities to do or just want to watch the worms some more, try to find some new worms.
    • Worms are very sensitive: Do not handle them too much and always use a gentle touch.
    • Keep the exploring area damp: Use a damp cloth or paper towel to set your worms on if you remove them from their habitat.
    • Keep them in the shade: Make sure to handle the worms in a shady space, out of direct sunlight.
    • Mist the worms often: Keep a misting spray bottle on hand and gently spray your worms often to ensure their bodies are kept moist.

    Worm castings

    Worm facts for kids

    When you’re exploring worms with kids, they’re sure to be curious and ask questions. I don’t know about you, but I’m not up to speed on all my worm facts these days! So, I’ve done some of the work for you and put together this list of fun facts about worms that are sure to please inquiring little minds. Whip these facts out and your kids are sure to be wowed with your extensive knowledge! (you can thank us later)

    • There are thought to be 4,400 (or more) species of earthworm.
    • Earthworms have no resistance to the sun’s ultra-violet radiation, so daylight can be fatal to them.
    • Worm castings (also known as vermicast) improve soil health.
    • An earthworm can lose one end of its body and grow a replacement, but the worm will die if it is cut in half.
    • Earthworms are attracted to one another by scent.
    • There are fossilized worms in 600 million-year-old rocks – meaning worms were living in the time of dinosaurs.
    • Earthworms eat a lot! They can eat about ½ to 1 times their body weight every day.
    • The largest worm ever found was a South African Earthworm measuring 22 feet long, though they average closer to 6 feet long.
    • Worms need moisture to live, so if their skin dries out they will die.
    • Baby worms hatch out of a cocoon smaller than a grain of rice.

    worm science

    Worm science experiments for kids

    If your kids are curious about worms, it can be even more fun to learn these facts with hands-on activities. Here are two simple worm science experiments you can do with your children.

    Moist or dry?

    This is a simple activity that requires a moist area and a dry area and at least one worm. You can use paper towels or dirt to create the experiment. Create one wet side and one dry side and then place your worm’s body half on the wet side and half on the dry side. Observe which way your worm travels. Does the worm prefer the moist side or the dry side?

    Light or dark?

    This easy experiment is very similar to the first, but this time you are testing to see if the worm prefers the light or the dark. To set up this experiment you need to create an environment with a dark side and a light side. This is explained really well on Education.com. Which way do the worms travel? Why do you think they went that way? Did they prefer light or darkness?

    Exploring worms math

    Worm activities for kids

    If you want to extend your worm adventures and add some more learning into the mix, here are some simple and fun worm activities for kids.

    Measuring the worms

    When you go out on a worm hunt, bring a ruler along with you. Children love measuring things, even if they don’t understand the concept yet. And for the older kids, have them measure each worm, write down the measurement, and then compare the findings. With this simple activity, you’ve added math to your learning.

    Exploring worms math

    Creating a wormery

    If you want to take exploring worms to the next level, consider creating a worm bin. This is a fairly simple project and your children are sure to delight in checking in on the worms and seeing how fast they eat through your food scraps. Here are some wonderful, kid-friendly tutorials for how to create a wormery with kids and creating worm farm.

    Worm arts and crafts for kids

    Kids love art and there is always something special about creating art projects that align with what you’ve been exploring in nature. If you want to add a little art and crafts into your worm exploring, look no further! Here are some fun worm-inspired arts and crafts for your kids to do and enjoy! 

    worm craft - run wild my child

    Upcycled paper bag worm weaving

    If your house is anything like mine you often find yourself with an excess of brown paper bags. Turn these paper bags into a fun worm activity in only a couple of steps.

    1. Cut your paper bag. Remove the handles (these will be the worms) and cut the bottom of the bag out (this will be the worm weavery). Save the remaining large paper bag portion for a painting canvas or wrapping paper.
    2. Fold the paper bag bottom in half and cut from the folded side 4-5 lines, leaving 3-4 inches uncut at the top and bottom. Voila, this is the dirt the worms will weave in.
    3. Decorate your worms with markers, googly eyes, or anything else that your children want to use.
    4. Add nature finds to the top of your worm weavery. This is totally optional, but it does make it seem more obvious the worms are underground.
    5. Now you can grab your worms and weave them in and out of the weavery. This can be done once and displayed like art or over and over again to help improve fine motor control.

    painting with yarn worms

    Painting with yarn worms

    Painting with yarn worms is a simple project that requires only paint, yarn (or string, twine, spaghetti noodles, or anything else you can think of that is wiggly and worm-like), and paper.

    After you’ve gathered supplies, simply dip the yarn into the paint and then let your children find their own way to use the yarn as a paintbrush. Children will come up with their own way of using their string-worms to paint and the resulting art will likely reflect the way they chose to paint.

    painting with yarn worms

    Worm coloring pages

    Sometimes having a coloring page to work on during family read-aloud time or whenever the mood strikes, is a simple and fun way to bring your nature learning into other aspects of your children’s lives. Here are two great options available for free.

    Exploring worms with kids

    Worm jokes for kids

    Add a little laughter into your worm exploration by cracking one or all of these worm-tastic jokes. In fact, there is bound to be at least one that makes your children laugh out loud or at least sigh heavily as they bask in the worm humor.

    Q: What is invisible and smells like a worm?
    A: A bird fart!

    Q: What reads and lives in an apple?
    A: A bookworm!

    Q: What does a worm do in a cornfield?
    A: It goes in one ear and out the other!

    Q: What do you call a worm with no teeth?
    A: A gummy worm!

    Q: What do worms use to leave messages?
    A: Compost-it notes!

    Q: What is life like for a wood worm?
    A: Boring!

    Q: What do you get if you cross a worm and an elephant?
    A: Very big holes in your peanut garden.

    Worm Books to Explore with Kids

    Worm books for kids

    Bring your worm nature study into other areas of your family life with one or more good worm-themed books. Not only are many of the following books full of worm facts, but many are funny too. Grab a book or two and head on outside to read to your children and the worms too. 

    Learning about worms with kids

    Exploring worms with kids is such a treat. Not only is it an easy activity that requires little to no preparation, but worms are everywhere. Under any given acre of land, there can be 250,000 to 1.5 million earthworms helping to create and maintain Earth’s soil. They are an incredibly important critter and one that is almost always easy to find. In other words, exploring worms with kids is kind of impossible to avoid, so you might as well make it fun! We hope these worm facts, worm jokes, worm activities and worm books will help! 

    What is your favorite way of learning about worms with kids?

    About the author

    Katie lives in a tiny home on wheels and travels full-time with her two mostly wild children, tech-minded partner, two well-traveled pups, and adopted pet snails. As they wander the North American continent, Katie explores as much as possible, with a particular fondness for the adventures her family enjoys in state and national parks. When not trekking through the outdoors, Katie enjoys baking, homeschooling, consuming mochas from local coffee shops across the continent, practicing her photography skills, and soaking up as much knowledge as she can.

    As an advocate for families exploring the great outdoors, Katie co-founded a Hike it Baby branch in her hometown in Northern California and tries to encourage families to get outside whenever possible. Katie has a Master’s degree in human development from the University of Missouri, Columbia, but her passion is really history and humanities (which is coincidentally what her Bachelor’s degrees are in). She currently volunteers on the Hike it Baby National team as a contributing blogger.

    You can find more from Katie online in the following locations:
    Instagram: @familyinwanderland
    Website: http://www.familyinwanderland.com
    Facebook: @familyinwanderland
    RWMC posts: Katie Fox

  • NATURE SCHOOL, OUTDOOR ACTIVITIES

    Creating a Wormery with Kids

    Worms! Wiggly, squiggly, creepy, crawly, long, dirty, slimy and slick; it’s no wonder that kids are fascinated with worms. From the time my son was 2 years old, digging for worms in our backyard has been one of his favorite things to do outdoors. He’s constantly amazed that worms live everywhere, right under our feet and are basically free for the taking!  He now digs up worms from around the neighborhood and we add the worms to our garden, use them for composting and even collect them for fishing bait.

    Creating a wormery with kids

     

    This past year we set up our own “wormery” in a box so we could observe and grow worms year-round. Not only does this allow us to keep a stockpile of worms for fishing, but we are able to compost some food scraps and add nutrient-rich composted soil to our garden for growing vegetables. We’re constantly adding worms to our wormery to replace any we use for bait and the kids love playing with the worms, watching how quickly they grow and caring for them.

    I realize that not everyone is probably as crazy about worms as we are! If you’re already having a hard time reading this or looking at the photos, don’t worry, you’re not alone! But there are a ton of benefits to teaching children about worms and letting them touch them and observe them. Kids are naturally curious about nature and all animals, no matter how squirmy they are. I encourage you to try to put any squeamishness aside (believe me, kids will pick up on it) and allow your kids to get their hands dirty to learn more about these amazing creatures!

    creating a wormery with kids digging for worms with kidsFun facts about worms

    Charles Darwin called earthworms “the intestines of the soil,” since worms can eat up to 75% of their own body weight every day, turning waste into rich and fertile soil. Worms play a crucial role in the environment by breaking down organic matter like leaves and grass into things that plants can use. When they eat, they leave behind castings that are a very valuable type of fertilizer. Here are a few other fun facts about worms that your kids might get a kick out of:

    • There are over 6,000 different types of earthworms
    • Worms have no bones or skeletons
    • Worms do not have ears, a nose  or eyes, but do have cells that can detect light
    • The mouth of a worm is covered by a flap of skin so the worm doesn’t swallow everything
    • Worms have a mouth, but do not breathe through it – it is just for eating
    • The worm has 5 simple hearts, a stomach, and a gizzard
    • The gizzard contains tiny rocks and sand that mash up the worm’s food, because worms don’t have teeth to chew it up
    • An earthworm can have over 100 segments between its two ends
    • Each segment has tiny little bristles that help the worm move and hold on to things
    • All worms have a complete set of both male and female organs on the inside so there are no boy or girl worms

    finding worms with kids

    What’s a wormery?

    A wormery is a place where worms can grow, compost and make more worms.  A wormery will recycle food waste into superb fertilizer for your garden or yard. Wormeries are also great for growing and storing worms to use for bait when fishing. Wormeries can also be used at home or in classrooms for observing the life cycle and work of worms. After a few days/weeks, the worms and soil can be returned to your yard or garden.

    Wormeries are perfect for small spaces: they’re compact, don’t smell and make compost faster than conventional composters.

    Wormeries come in a variety of types and sizes. Even Amazon offers a number of different types of wormeries, from fancy multi-level worm composting factories, to simple Styrofoam worm boxes (this is the one we have), to kid-friendly worm-observation kits. Although, it’s also just as easy, fun and rewarding to make your own from supplies you probably already have at home.

    digging for worms with kids

    Wormery supply list

    Building a wormery is pretty simple because worms only have a few very basic needs: (1) worms need food (they eat microbes found in dirt and rotting material); (2) they need a moist (but not wet) dark environment; and (3) they need air (they breathe through their skin).

    To build your own wormery, you’ll need the following items:

    • a container with a lid
    • shredded newspaper or bedding
    • soil, sand, rocks/gravel
    • worms

    Choose the proper container

    There are a ton of different containers you could use to make your wormery – anything from a bucket to a rubbermaid container to an old styrofoam cooler. Worms are active on the top layer of soil, so your container doesn’t need to be very deep. A lid will keep the wormery dark and prevent any worms from escaping. Just make sure to poke or drill some small holes in the container and lid to ensure they get plenty of air.

    Worms like the dark, so if you’re going to be keeping your wormery for a while, make sure you use a container that will keep the soil dark. However, if you’re building a wormery specifically for kids to observe the worms, use a transparent glass container or plastic jar/bottle (an empty 2 liter soda bottle works great) and cover it with dark construction paper during the time while the kids aren’t watching them.

    proper container for a wormery making a styrofoam worm box with kids

    Prep the wormery

    Put a small layer of rocks or gravel at the bottom of your container.  This helps with drainage and gives the wormery a solid base to prevent it from tipping over. Next, shred up some black and white newspaper to place in the bottom of the container as bedding (or you can buy worm bedding).  Spray the bedding with enough water to dampen it, but make sure it’s not too wet. It should feel like a damp sponge or wrung flannel. Once the bedding is made, add some gardening soil or worm compost and give it a good mix.

    Finish by putting some dead leaves or vegetable scraps on top of the soil.  If your dirt mixture is really dry, add some water to your container as well – just enough to make the soil damp, but not soggy.

    creating a wormery with kids for bait

    making a worm box with kids

    Find your worms

    This is the part that kids love the most! Let your kids search and dig for worms to add to your wormery. Search damp and dark spots in your yard or local park. Lift up rocks, look under bushes, dig beneath piles of leaves. Worms will be easier to find and closer to the surface after a light rain. You might even find them trying to cross the sidewalk. If you can’t find any, you could always snag some at a local bait shop or even order them online. Red worms work the best for wormeries, but if you’re building this mainly for observation or fun, use any worms you can find.

    This is an excellent time to talk to kids about how to handle the worms and the anatomy of worms.  Let the kids touch them, hold them and observe them. Talk about how important it is to be gentle and respectful of your worms. Don’t let small kids injure the worms or cause any undue stress or damage to them.

    teaching kids about wormsworm box for composting and baitAdd your worms

    Add the worms to the top of the bin and allow them to dig down. Do not try to assist them with burrowing because it will scare them. It can take up to a day for all of the worms to burrow down. Any worms that do not go down after being there for a day or two are dead or weak and should be removed. If you think you’ve found a dead worm sprinkle it with a little bit of warm water. If that doesn’t revive them, the worm is dead or dying and should be left out of the wormery.

    creating a worm boxFeed your worms

    Once you’ve found worms and added them to the wormery, you’ll need to feed them occasionally. Worms can eat up to two times their body size every day so always feed them according to the amount they’ll eat. However worms can last their entire lives feeding only off of nutrients in the soil so food is always extra.

    Have your kids save their fruit and veggie peels and scraps to feed the worms. This is a fun way for them to care for the worms while also finding a use for the scraps. Let kids add scraps such as apple cores, banana peels, or pears to the wormery daily. Do not use meat, poultry, fish, dairy, potato chips, candy, oils, oranges, lemons, and limes because these are not good for the worms. Food will grow mold if left uneaten for a while if you find a piece of food that is moldy remove it. If you don’t want to use actual food scraps, you can also buy worm food.

    creating a wormery with kids from container

    teaching kids about worms and their habitat Keep them damp, dark and cool

    Worms prefer cool temperatures, so keep them indoors in a cool dark place. A basement or a refrigerator is perfect. In addition to adding food periodically, make sure you add some moisture so the soil/bedding doesn’t dry out. Compost will be ready in 2-3 weeks.

    If you have a transparent wormery for the kids, observe it indoors for a few days and then carefully dump it outside in a shady spot in the early morning.

    how to make a wormery

    Whether you’d like to keep worms for composing, for your garden, for fishing bait or just as a science project to observe, creating a wormery with kids is a fun project that will teach them so much about nature and life right in their own backyard.

    How do you feel about worms?
    Is this something your kids would like?