Session 2 – Painted Pots & Tiny Seed Gardens

“Design a home for your very first plant.”

In this session, kids turn simple clay pots into mini works of art, then plant herbs or quick-sprouting seeds to take home. Along the way, they learn what plants need to grow, where some of our food and flavors come from, and how to care for a living thing.

Historical Inspiration Spotlight: George Washington Carver
We’ll briefly introduce George Washington Carver, a scientist and agricultural educator who taught farmers how to care for the soil, rotate crops, and grow new plants for food and sustainability. We’ll connect his work to the idea that every small garden matters—even a tiny pot on a windowsill.

What Kids Will Do

1. Pot Design & Planning (Art + Imagination)

• Look at examples of decorated pots (color blocking, simple patterns, nature motifs).

• Sketch a quick idea in their Outdoor Journal from Session 1 (optional but encouraged).

• Use paint/paint pens/markers and simple tools (sponges, Q-tips, etc.) to decorate up to 3 small pots.

• Add their name or initials somewhere on each pot.

2. Soil, Seeds, and “Planting Like a Scientist” (Hands-on Science)

• Brief chat:

  • What do plants need? (sun, soil, water, time)

  • What part of the plant is a seed?

  • How do herbs end up on our plates?

• Practice filling each pot with soil (not packed too tight).

• Learn how deep to plant different seeds (simple rule-of-thumb explanation).

• Plant seeds for:

  • 1–2 herbs (like basil, dill, or chives), and/or

  • 1 fast-sprouting flower or leafy green.

• Label each pot (plant name + their name).

3. Care Instructions & Observation Plan

• Create a simple “Plant Care Bookmark” or sticker label:

  • Sun: ☀ / partial ☀

  • Water: tiny droplets drawing or simple schedule

• In their Outdoor Journal, they’ll:

  • Write or draw what they planted.

  • Predict what it will look like in 1 week, 2 weeks, 1 month.

  • Note where they plan to keep their pots at home (window, table, etc.).

What Kids Learn

Science & Nature:

• Basic plant needs: light, water, soil, and time.

• Seeds as the beginning of the plant life cycle.

• Herbs as both plants and ingredients in food.

Art & Design:

• Planning a design before painting.

• Using pattern, color, and simple shapes.

• Personal expression through their pots.

Math & Observation Skills:

• Counting seeds and pots.

• Understanding “how deep” and “how often” in simple, concrete terms.

• Beginning a habit of recording observations in their journal.

Social & Emotional Skills:

• Caring for a living thing.

• Pride in making something functional and beautiful.

• Sharing their designs and plant plans with the group.

Take-Home Items

Each student will leave with:

• Up to 3 decorated mini pots, planted with seeds.

• Simple written/drawn care instructions.

• Journal entries that they can update as their plants grow.

Practical Notes for Parents

• Mess factor: We’ll be using soil and paint, so play clothes are best.

• Allergies: Seeds will be common culinary herbs/flowers; please let us know about any plant or soil-related allergies.

• At-home support: A sunny spot and a little help remembering to water will go a long way. Kids are encouraged to show you their journal pages and record sprouting progress together.