Do it Yourself: Chia Pets

While these technically are not Chia Pets, you get the general look using simple grass seed! They are a little messy to make, so be sure to put down newspaper over your work space!

Let’s get started! You’ll need the following materials:

• One pair knee-high nylons
• Soil
• Grass seed
• Wide mouth drinking glass
• Spoon
• Googly eyes
• Waterproof glue, such as Gorilla Glue
• Small plastic or Styrofoam cups, such as Dixie cups
• Paint pens
• Felt or foam pieces in various colors
• Small clay pots
• Small bowl

STEP 1:

Stretch one nylon stocking over the mouth of a wide drinking glass to make pouring the grass seed and soil into the nylon easier. Use a spoon to sprinkle a small handful of grass seed into the stocking.

STEP 2:

Pour in one to two handfuls of soil on top of the grass seed, pushing the soil all the way down to the toe. Take the nylon off of the drinking glass, and knot the nylon close to the soil to keep the soil in place. This is your pet’s head.

STEP 3:

With the length of leftover nylon hanging downward, glue googly eyes on to the face area and add other facial features if desired. Let the glue dry completely.

STEP 4:

Fill the bowl with water and invert the pet’s head into it for several minutes. This wets the soil and grass seed and gets the seed growing.

STEP 5:

Insert a small paper cup into a clay pot and fill the cup with water, Flip the pet’s head right side up and insert the loose end of the nylon into the cup. The nylon will act as a wick to pull water up and keep your grass seed watered.

Place the little guy where he will get sunlight, and within a week watch for the seed “hair” to sprout!

Source: Garden Therapy: Gardening With Kids