Explore the Wonderful World of Worms

Take children outside to look for worms. Bring small shovels or old spoons and allow the children to help dig.  A great time to look for worms is after a rainfall. Ask them where they think worms might live. Dig there. Try several places.  Questions to ask: Do you think worms prefer wet or dry soil? Why? Do you think they prefer shade or sun? Why? How deep in the soil do you think worms live?

Carefully fill a clear plastic jar with 3 wide layers of soil alternated with 2 think layers of sand (soil, sand, soil, sand, soil). Spray each layer with a mist of water. Place a few worms in the jar. Cover with a layer of dead leaves. Remember, earthworms live in the dark underground so cover the jar with a dark cloth to make them feel at home. Set the jar where it will not be too warm, too cold, or disturbed. Check them after a few hours and each day. What happened to the neat layers of soil and sand? Return your guests to where you found them.

Try these fun ideas from the KinderNature website to continue your exploration of worms.

Spaghetti-Splash Worms

Mix 2-3 packages of cooked spaghetti, 1/3 cup of vegetable oil and food coloring (optional) in a child’s wading pool. Children may want to play with the spaghetti with their hands, sit on it, or (as we tried) use a small slide to get right into the middle of it. Try other things like gelatin which is also a hit.

Worm Tracks

Dip string/yarn into paints and drag across construction paper.

Worm Collage

Make a Worm Collage with cooked whole wheat spaghetti. Give each child a paper plate. Ask them to arrange the noodles any way they wish. Tell them they are worms. The starch in the noodles will help the noodles stick to the plates when dry.


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