Lets get excited about plants!

Activity: Mason Jar Terrairum

Target participant group: Elderly

Therapeutic potential of this activity: This activity is great because it not only brings the outdoors in, but allows for creativity. It helps improve social skills, patience, and fine motor skills.

What other groups may benefit from this activity? This activity can be of benefit to almost any population with the right adaptation. This could be youth at risk, individuals with intellectual, developmental, or physical disabilities. 

What groups may not be as appropriate for this activity? This activity is very adaptable, however individuals with severe developmental or physical disabilities may get frustrated if someone needs to fully assist them with this activity.

Activity description: Make sure your mason jar is nice and clean with the labels removed. Add 1" of small stones, pebbles or gravel for drainage. Follow that with a thin layer of charcoal to absorb odors. After that add 3-4" of potting soil. You can create mini-mountains with the soil by mounting up the soil in one area. Add in the plants you desire. Make sure these plants are sutable for the type of terrarium you are making. Once the plants are in cover the rest of the soil with moss. After the moss is placed, you can add decorate as you wish with a variety of rocks as mini boulders, shells, plactic toys or whatever you like. Once done, water your tarrarium lightly.  

Resources needed:  For this activity your going to need a mason jar and lid. depending what kind of terrarium you want, you may also need some of these items: small stones, pebbles or gravel, activated charcoal, potting soil, sheet moss, plants, decorations and skewers or chopsticks.

Best leadership style for this activity: The best leadership style for this activity would be a combination of laissez-faire and democratic. as a leader you want to give clear directions to your participants so that their terrariums will be a success, give assistance when needed and allow participants the freedom to be creative.

Where did you find this activity?
http://makeprojects.com/Project/Mason-Jar-Terrarium/786/1

Where can others find more information on this activity?
This site is great because it give you different information. such as what the best plants are to use for a open or closed terrarium.
http://www.terrariums.com/terrariumaccessories/plants.cfm