Earth Day Milk Jug Planter Craft

Calling all teachers! Join us in celebrating Earth Day with an engaging and eco-friendly craft activity for your students. This Earth Day Upcycling Craft combines repurposing milk cartons, planting materials, and a delightful printable decorative cover to create unique and sustainable planters. This hands-on project not only teaches children about the importance of recycling and nature but also allows them to express their creativity.

Materials Needed:

1. Empty school milk cartons (rinsed and cleaned)
2. Potting soil or compost
3. Flower, vegetable or grass seeds
4. Scissors
5. Craft glue or tape
6. Markers, crayons, or colored pencils
7. Printable decorative covers (provided free)

Instructions:

1. Gather empty school milk cartons, ensuring they are thoroughly rinsed and cleaned. Remove any plastic caps or straws.
2. Help the students cut off the top section of each milk carton, leaving about 2-3 inches from the bottom intact. These will serve as the planters.
3. Assist the students in punching a few small holes in the bottom of each carton for drainage.
4. Fill the bottom of each milk carton planter with potting soil or compost, leaving enough room for the seeds to be planted.
5. Encourage the students to choose flower or vegetable seeds and plant them according to the instructions provided on the seed packets.
6. Help the students label each planter with the type of seed they have planted.
7. Now, it's time to add a creative touch! Provide the students with markers, crayons, or colored pencils, allowing them to decorate the milk carton planters with colorful designs and Earth Day messages.
8. Cut out individual covers (leaving the tab on the end for full coverage) and have students decorate. Attach to the milk carton planters using hot glue. These covers will add a vibrant and personalized touch to their creations, inspiring them to care for their plants and the environment.
9. Assist the students in finding an appropriate location to place their milk carton planters, ensuring they receive adequate sunlight and water them regularly.
10. Encourage the students to observe and document the growth of their plants, fostering a sense of responsibility and curiosity about the natural world.

By engaging students in this Earth Day Upcycling Craft, you are not only fostering their creativity but also instilling important values of sustainability and environmental stewardship. Let's celebrate Earth Day together by transforming ordinary milk cartons into beautiful planters that will bring joy and a touch of nature into your classroom!