This is a fun, inexpensive project to do with the kids at home. You’ll find that it covers a few different areas including art, gardening and nutrition. It’s a cheap project and environmentally-friendly because you’ll be recycling some materials. The kids can use their imagination to create their ‘egg people’ and give the faces all different expressions to match. When the kids grow eggheads they’re also learning about the lifecycle of our food supply. You know ‘real’ food. Food that is grown, and not from the pantry. So let’s get started.
What you’ll need
- Eggshell halves
- Coloured markers (permanent are best because they won’t run)
- Soil (seed raising is the best)
- Spray water bottle
- A sharp object like a pin to make a drainage hole
How to grow eggheads
Step 1
Collect eggshell halves from breakfast and give them a washout. If you can try and crack them towards the top so you have lots of space for the soil. Remove the inside lining of the shell. You can do this by simply rubbing it with your finger. Let them dry. Then gently make a hole in the bottom so the water can drain through and not collect. Twist your pin and it will eventually break through the shell. Don’t push it or it will crack.
Step 2
Grab some coloured markers. These need to be permanent markers or they may run when watering the seeds. If you don’t have these at home that’s fine, use normal ones and just be careful when you’re watering. Their eggheads can attend different gatherings. It could be a wedding, a party, a girls PJ party etc. Prompt the kids to get their imagination working before creating.
Step 3
Now let’s get the body ready. Grab your cardboard toilet rolls and make the body sizes all different heights by cutting them to size. The kids can also create outfits on the body by drawing shirts, shorts or adding a tie etc.
Step 4
You’ll need some seed raising mix as the best soil, but if you don’t have that, then just use what you can. They will still grow if they’re looked after. Fill the heads will soil and balance them on the cardboard body. Leave a little space at the top to add some soil over the seeds of choice.
Step 5
Choosing seeds is up to you, however, we’ve always found that the best seeds are microgreens because they grow fast and look amazing. You can use cress, watercress, grass seeds, or any of the huge range of microgreen seeds. These are readily available online or instore and like all seed packs, inexpensive. Microgreens are packed full of nutrients and can be cut and sprinkled on pizza, salad or even scrambled eggs.
Step 6
Cover the seeds with a light dusting of soil and lightly spray with a water spray bottle. Do this daily and in just a few days your seeds will start emerging. We leave ours on the windowsill out of direct light but where they can enjoy filtered light. Don’t let them dry out in the direct sun.
Eggheads will be a hit with kids up to about 12 years old. They’re a great project for a rainy day or if you need to stay inside. Let the kids use their imagination and creative energy to grow their own special egghead family. Have fun.
