Fun for Kids: Making Herb "Chia Heads"

Helpful Information For Parents and Teachers:

This design is adapted from a "Chia Head" design that uses nylons (one version can be found here). If using chia seeds, they reportedly grow through the nylons. However, herb seeds are bigger and would not grow through the nylons, so we chose to use peat pellets instead. The advantage is that you can grow herbs, which you can eat and use!

The only disadvantage to using these pellets is that the "heads" dry out much quicker and require that you take the head off of the body (which in this case is an upside down can) in order to water them. Be careful as they are not glued on, but just set in the groove of the bottom of the can. Grow in a sunny window. Water when head is starting to look dry. If it gets too dry, you might need to soak the head for a while to reabsorb water; peat moss is hard to re-wet.

Supplies List

For the "Chia Head"

• peat moss pellets (presoaked)—(we used Jiffy 7 Peat Soil pellets)

• tray (to soak pellets)

• water

• juice cans (sm 6 oz apple juice or V-8 juice cans work well. They fit the pellet "head" perfectly.)

• herb seeds—cilantro, dill, oregano, basil, parsley, thyme, chives work well. (Rosemary takes a long time to germinate. Herbs like mint, sage, lemon balm grow better from cuttings).

For the "Chia Body"

• tacks for eyes -googly eyes (to glue onto tacks for eyes)

• tacky glue/super glue/hot glue

• toothpicks (for fluffing soil and covering seeds with soil)

• pins (with colored heads for mouth, nose, antennas, etc.)

• labels (sticky address labels—you can hook on the arms with the label)

• crayons/sharpie (for decorating labels and writing name of herb)

• scraps of colored paper (for the arms)

• tabs from can (can be used for ears, etc.)

Directions

Click to read the full Herb Chia Head Instructions!