Home » Education Programs » GreenBridge

Brooklyn Greenbridge

City Kids Classes & Events

Kindergarten - Grade 2 Activity: Soil Scavenger Hunt

Goal:

To let children explore soil and compost, observing their components and qualities first-hand.

Time:

Allow 1-1/2 hours.

Materials:

Activity sequence:

  1. Begin by discussing:
    • What is a garden?
    • What do plants need to grow? (sun, air, soil, water)
    • Explain that today they are going to look at soil -- both garden soil and compost. Compost is the soil produced when tiny creatures eat garden waste.
  2. Give each child a collecting container and point out places where they can dig in the garden. Ask them to collect things that they find in the soil.
  3. When children have had a chance to dig for 15 or 20 minutes, bring the group back together. Go around the circle and ask children to share their findings. Ask:
    • What is it?
    • Where did it come from?
    • Does it help plants? How?
    • Does it help make soil? How?
  4. Likely finds will include rocks, worms and other creatures, dead plant matter, as well as garbage and other man-made objects. After the discussion, have children return their finds to the soil or to the trash can, whichever is appropriate.
  5. Bring children back to the circle. Explain that composting is a way of recycling plants, improving the soil and helping other plants grow. Compost aerates the soil and helps it stay moist. Walk children over to the compost pile and demonstrate how it is maintained. Pair children up and give each pair a container to fill with compost. Have each pair spread out their compost on the ground and collect what they find in it.
  6. In the circle again, let children share their finds. Have them compare the kinds of things they found in the compost with things found in the garden soil.
  7. If time permits, supply drawing materials and ask children to draw some of the things that they discovered in the soil and compost. (They may want to go back for another look at the things they returned to the garden.)

Background information

Soil is made up of several components:

Composting is the process by which microorganisms (not just worms!) use air, water, and organic waste to produce soil. Some children may be uncomfor putting their hands in the dirt. Have gloves on hand, but encourage children to feel the soil directly.

Rules

Children should dig only in designated areas, and must wash their hands after digging. Explain that soil may contain tiny bits of lead from buildings that used to be on the lot, and that lead can hurt them if it ends up in their mouths.