Frugal Craft: Make A Grass Kid

by Mary Ann Romans | More from this Blogger

02 Feb 2007 04:57 PM

Making a grass kid is a frugal way to involve a young child in gardening. Older kids will love customizing the grass kid and cutting its hair. Why pay money for those "Chia Pets" when you can make your own fun version with simple items you can find around your home.

You can make an entire family of grass kid and decorate each one to resemble a member of your own family. Or, why not make one for a cute teacher's gift?

Another thing that is great about this craft is that the grass head is pretty much self watering.

To make a grass kid, gather the following:

• An old pair of pantyhose, stockings or knee highs (you need nylons with at least one toe intact)
• A handful of grass seed
• A handful of potting soil or soil-less potting mix
• An empty baby food jar
• Wiggle eyes
• Construction paper or fabric to make the kid's body, markers or crayons, glue, etc.

To make the kid, put a small handful of grass seed in the toe of the nylon. This is where the top of the head of the grass kid will be. Add some potting soil or soil-less potting mix, enough to make a nice round head. You want your head to be bigger than the mouth of the jar so it doesn't fall in. For a really funny head, make it quite a bit bigger than the body.

Tie a knot in the nylon to keep the seeds and soil secure. Cut away any extra nylon, but leave a little extra to help soak up water from the baby food jar (fill the jar about half way with water). Place the head on the jar.

Glue on the wiggle eyes and draw on the rest of the grass kid's face. Then decorate the jar with clothes for the body.

Related Articles:

Frugal Fun: Make Your Own Snow Paint

Frugal Winter Wonderland: Ice Candles

Learn more about Mary Ann Romans

Mary Ann Romans is a freelance writer, wife and mother of three children. She lives in Pennsylvania with her husband, the kids and a 16-pound cat.

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Myra Turner (1560) 03 Feb 2007 04:10 PM

Cute idea! I think I'll try this.

Mary Ann Romans (26876) 03 Feb 2007 04:19 PM

Great Myra! Will you share a photo?

Musings (107) 06 Feb 2007 06:37 PM

How cute! I'll have to get my hands on a couple of baby food jars. My girls would love this!

Mary Ann Romans (26876) 06 Feb 2007 06:57 PM

Have you tried freecyle, Kelly? Or come over to my house :)

socailmaddie15 (83) 26 Jun 2007 09:30 PM

wow I love this project , and I am going to do this one with my girl .Oh yes you can get baby jars at a second hand store

Mary Ann Romans (26876) 27 Jun 2007 09:47 AM

Please comment again to let me know how it turned out for you! That is a great point about getting the baby jars at second hand stores. Thanks!