According to First Nature Activity Book by DK Publisher's, worm farming is a great way to interest kids in nature. They can watch first-hand what worms do and why they are so important to gardens and soil. Monitor them for several days then either return them to where you found them, or use them to go fishing. (Remember, National Fishing and Boating Week starts next week, so this weekend would be a great weekend to do the project.)

Here's what you'll need:
1. Trowel
2. Two large bowls
3. Spray bottle
4. Small bowl
5. Dark cloth
6. Dead leaves
7. A large glass jar
8. Sand
9. Sieved garden soil

Fill the jar with alternate layers of soil and sand. Make each layer about 1 in. deep and spray each with water. Gently put the worms into the jar, keeping them away from bright light. Five or six worms should be enough. Cover the top layer of soil with dead leaves. Then cover the whole jar with a dark cloth or put it in a dark place. The worms need to be in complete darkness so they think they are underground. Leave it alone for a few days then take a look. You can see how the worms have tunneled through the soil and sand and that the layers have begun to mix together. They have also dragged the leaves down into the soil to eat them.

See my post about earthworms to learn all about how they benefit gardens and the soil. Please send feedback on whether your children enjoyed this project.

Next week I'll be posting some great activities you can do with and around water so, be sure to check back!