Button Bug Planters

I just have to share this absolutely adorable garden craft we did with our class of 1st and 2nd graders on Wednesday night. We have been learning about Botany in our Caravans class, so this was our hands on project... Button Bug Planters.

Aren't they adorable?

For this project you need:

• empty, clean grape tomato containers
• buttons
• googly eyes
• colorful craft wire
• colorful sharpie markers
• dirt
• seeds
• Extra tools: glue, sharp needle and needle-nose pliers

Glue small googly eyes to the buttons and decorate
them to look like various bugs.

Use a sharp needle to poke holes in the container in the places
you would like to place your bugs. Use the button holes
themselves as guides for poking the holes.
You don't want to get them too close together or you
may rip the plastic between the holes with the next step.

Cut small lengths of wire, bend in half, and feed up through
the holes from the inside of the container. Then feed the button
on the wires and twist them together. Use a pair of
needle-nose pliers to form the wires into buggy antennae.

Use the sharpies to add legs and wings by drawing on the
container around your bug.

Bugs can be placed on the top and sides of the container.

Add dirt, seeds, and a little water. Remember, the container
does have holes around the sides, so be sure to place your
container on something to catch water that may leak out.

You can leave the lid closed until plants start to sprout, then you will need to keep it opened for plants to grow. When they're big enough, transplant them into the ground.

The kids had a blast, and we finished the project in about an hour.

You therefore, beloved, knowing this beforehand, take care that you are not carried away with the error of lawless people and lose your own stability. But grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. To him be the glory both now and to the day of eternity. Amen. 2 Peter 3:17-18