"Available for printing: Children's coloring sheet on the topic of 'Composting' "
In the backyard of Andy and the author, a family of four, you can find a compost pile that has transformed their weekly trash routine. Once filling a 64-gallon can, they now fit their waste into a single bag in a 32-gallon can, all thanks to composting.
Composting is an easy, everyday action that can have a significant positive impact on our planet. It's not just for gardeners; it's for anyone who wants to make a difference. And, it's a great opportunity to teach children about sustainability and recycling organic waste.
Here's a simple guide for starting and maintaining a compost pile with children:
- Choose a location: Find a flat, well-drained spot outdoors, ideally close to where the children play or garden, to set up the compost pile or bin.
- Gather materials: Explain the need for two types of materials—greens (nitrogen-rich), such as fruit and vegetable scraps, grass clippings, and coffee grounds; and browns (carbon-rich), such as dry leaves, paper, or cardboard.
- Build the pile: Help children create the pile by layering browns and greens roughly in equal amounts. Start with a layer of coarse browns like twigs or dry leaves for airflow at the bottom, then add alternating layers of green and brown materials.
- Water the pile: Moisten the compost with water so it is damp but not soaking wet.
- Turn the compost: Teach children to turn (mix) the pile with a garden fork or compost aerator every week or two to add oxygen, which speeds decomposition and prevents bad smells.
- Wait and observe: Explain that composting takes time—usually a few months. Encourage children to watch the pile change as the materials break down into dark, crumbly, earthy-smelling compost.
- Use the compost: Once finished, show children how the compost can be used to enrich garden soil, helping plants grow strong and healthy.
Additional tips for involving children and maintaining the pile:
- Use a compost bin or tumbler if possible to make turning easier and tidier.
- Avoid adding meat, dairy, or oily foods, which can attract pests and cause odors.
- Consider adding educational signage or activities about decomposers and composting benefits to keep kids engaged.
This process teaches children about sustainability, recycling organic waste, and nurturing soil in a hands-on way that can be adapted for home or school garden environments.
Remember, composting is a process that involves six ingredients: green stuff (nitrogen), brown stuff (carbon), air, water, bugs (microorganisms), and heat (sun). Even bugs and worms are essential for the composting process, and they can be found in soil.
The author, who has written a book called "Creating Really Awesome Free Things," provides a free printable composting worksheet for kids, which can be downloaded by signing up for the author's newsletter. So, join the movement and start composting today!
Happy Earth Day, which falls on April 22. Let's all do our part to protect our planet for future generations.
- Composting, a simple yet impactful practice for environmental-science and sustainable-living, can be easily incorporated into anyone's lifestyle, including home-and-garden enthusiasts.
- By teaching children about the composting process and its benefits for the environment, we not only instill a sense of responsibility for recycling organic waste but also promote a lifelong appreciation for science and nature.
