How to Make a pH Indicator at Home

As summer vacation nears, parents wonder how to keep kids busy at home. The best way to keep children busy during vacations at home is by allowing them to conduct kid-friendly experiments that not only allow them to pass time, but also teach them new things. Science for kids is an enjoyable and great learning experience. Science can be well-learned not just by reading textbooks but by experimental method. pH Indicator can be made at home with material easily available. With parent's supervision and help, a child can enjoy this scientific experiment at home and have fun.

Materials for making pH Indicator

Filter paper
Beetroot - 1
Mineral water
Strainer
Paint brush

Method for making pH Indicator

1

Peel the beetroot and grate it. Place the grated beetroot in a vessel half filled with water. Boil the water and simmer for 20 minutes on a low flame. Allow it to cool.

2

Filter the beetroot water with the help of a strainer. Collect the water in a tray and throw away the beetroot remains.

3

Take filter paper strips and dip in the beetroot water tray. Allow it to soak till uniformly colored.

4

Your pH Indicator is ready.

Take the Test

You can take the pH Indicator and start testing on various kind of liquids such as lemon juice, sour milk, milk, or even vinegar. To carry on the test, take the paint brush and dip in the liquid of your choice. Now with that brush dip paint on the pH indicator. The color on the pH indicator would change depending on whether the given liquid is an alkaline or acidic.

Tip

You can be innovative with various solutions instead of beet root for making pH indicator. Some other liquids include grape juice or even turmeric solution.

How it Works

The pigment present in the beetroot, known as Anthocyanin acts as the pH indicator and changes it's color according to the presence of alkaline or acidic nature of the liquids tested.

How to Make Your Own Terrarium

With few simple steps one can easily make a beautiful terrarium right at home. Making your own terrarium can be perfect DIY activity to be carried out with kids or for school projects. Terrarium both open as well as closed can be perfect decor to lighten up your house as well as office. It is all about selecting the plants for Terrarium, the right terrarium container, getting the right materials and planning some landscaping around it. Once you have all the materials you need to make the terrarium, then the steps to follow are pretty easy. You needs to find a glass jar or a glass bowl or even a wine glass as a desired terrarium container in which you wish to make your own terrarium.

DIY Terrarium kits are nowadays easily available online which can help out novices to make their own terrarium. These DIY Terrarium kits come out handy when you are not sure about the right material to use as well as selecting the right terrarium plants. For the first timers who wish to learn making their own terrarium, DIY Terrarium Kits are really useful. These DIY Terrarium kit comes with either one or two succulents, gravel, a terrarium container, some decorative items, sand and charcoal. The kit comes with easy step by step instruction manual which helps you to make your own terrarium. But for those enthusiasts who do not wish to buy a terrarium kit online, can definitely give it a try by just gathering some simple materials and make their own terrarium garden. These materials can be easily made available from a plant nursery. Terrarium Containers can be selected as per your own wish. People who are in the habit of collecting pebbles and decorative materials can use their imagination and make a beautiful terrarium garden of their own. Follow these simple steps and learn how to make your own terrarium garden.

Materials to Make Your Own Terrarium

Terrarium Container - 1, any of your choice
Spoon - Preferably with a long handle, depending on your terrarium container
Plant - 1 or 2 succulents or any other small, slow growing plants of your choice
Gravel - preferably small pea gravel of any color you prefer
Activated Charcoal
Moss - Some sphagnum moss (optional)
Potting Soil
Vermi-compost
Sand
Decorative pebbles or rocks
Small toys or clay items

Method to Make Your Own Terrarium

1

Let us start with a clean, clear open top glass bowl. I have used a fish bowl for my open terrarium. Make sure that the terrarium container you are using is clean and dry.

Clean and dry terrarium container

2

Depending on the length and opening of your terrarium container either with the help of a spoon or with your hands start placing gravel at the bottom of the terrarium. Add gravel at least 1 to 2 inch layer. This gravel layer works as a drainage for your terrarium. The small rocks that you add in your terrarium container collect the water drainage.

Adding gravel as the first layer

3

Add a thin layer of activated charcoal on the top of the rocks. This activated charcoal layer should be at least 1 to 1/2 inch placed evenly on the gravel. The activated charcoal layer is an important part of any terrarium both open or closed, as it prevents bacteria to develop in the terrarium and also prevents bad odour. Learn more about How to take care of your terrarium

Adding activated charcoal to the terrarium container

4

Once the activated charcoal layer is evenly placed, add a layer of potting soil with help of the spoon. Mix a potting soil with vermicompost and start adding it over the top of the charcoal layer. Make sure that you do not add too much of vermicompost, as you do not want the plants to grow fast. The soil layer should be at least 3 to 4 inches, depending upon the size of your terrarium container. Before adding the potting soil make sure that the soil is evenly moisten but not soggy.

If you are planning to plant moss in your terrarium to prevent the soil from mixing into the gravel then place the moss over the activated charcoal before adding the potting soil.

Adding potting soil to your terrarium container

5

With the help of the spoon stem, make a hole within the soil and place your first plant. The hole made should be big enough for the plant to root into the soil. Remove the plant from its pot, gently tap the plant to remove the excess soil and then gently nestle the plant inside the hole you made and tap lightly on the soil for the plant to hold up firmly in the place where it is planted.

Planting succulent in your terrarium container

6

If you are planning to plant more than one plant inside the terrarium, start doing so. Continue planting the plants that you have chosen to plant within the terrarium container. These terrarium plants could either be succulents or any other  terrarium plants of your choice which grow slow. You can also opt for flowering plants. It is advisable to start planting at the back of the terrarium container and then move your way forward. Or you can plant sideways depending on the size of the terrarium container. If you are planting tall plants in the sides, you can use extra layer of the potting soil for tall plants.

You can place more than one plant in a terrarium

7

Once all the plants are been potted and arranged, place one layer of sand over the potting soil. This layer should at least be 1/4th inch in thickness.

Adding a sand layer

8

Once you have done planting, you can start decorating the terrarium by adding accessories that you have collecting for your terrarium garden.  This could include a moss carpet, toys, glass beads, buttons, pebbles, sea shells, shiny objects, etc. Use your own imagination and finish the landscaping. This landscaping will complete the look. You can always change the landscaping afterwards and replace the decorative items.

Decorate the terrarium with pebbles and sea shells

Your terrarium garden is ready!


Learn more about Open Terrarium Care

How to Take Care of a Terrarium

Terrariums are pretty easy to make. With little imagination and material you can create as many terrariums as you wish. But if proper care is not taken, terrariums can fall apart. Since they don't require much watering, terrariums are often ignored and carelessly handled. This can lead to complete destruction of your beautifully created terrarium. And hence one has to take proper care of their terrarium - both open terrarium and closed terrarium. Though there is not much to look after as these plants need less care but yet few things should be taken care of if you wish your terrarium to thrive for a longer time. Here are few tips that would help you to maintain your terrarium successfully for a long time.

How to take Care of your Terrarium Plants

Care of Succulents

Succulents need less care

Succulents with thick leaves and stems store water and are comfortable with less watering activity around them. Most important part about succulents is that they thrive in extreme conditions and do not require lot of space to grow. Most of the succulent species grow right within the space they are planted and do not overgrow. Hence they do not need to be transplanted. They require at least 2 to 3 hours of direct sunlight every day. If the edges of the cacti are turning yellow, it means that the soil in which the cacti is planted does not meet to it's expectation. It is time to remove and repot the cactus.

Enough Potting Soil

While planting a plant in the terrarium, ensure that the potting soil should be deep enough for the plants to root to. Potting soil should always be mixed with vermicompost before placing in the terrarium container.

Perfect Spot

Before making a terrarium and selecting plants for it, select a good spot and check for the light that would fall on it. Then select the plants accordingly. Do not place the container facing direct sunlight.

Watering Your Terrarium

Water only once a week and that to by merely sprinkling on the required quantity that would moisten the soil enough. Over-watering would destroy the plants especially succulents. The roots of succulents may rot if too much watering is done. Never water on the leaves of the plant. Using a tall spoon or a water dropper or even a syringe, water at the base of the plants to moisten the soil. With syringes and water dropper you have an advantage of adding water in little batches.

Placing Moss

If moss is been placed or planted in a terrariun then ensure that the container is closed. In an open terrarium make sure that the moss is pressed firmly between the plant layers.

Growth of the Plant

If you notice too much growth in the height of the plant, cut of the newest growth to the desired height. This also ensures that the plant starts growing from sides, thus giving it a shrubby look. Plants selected for terrarium usually are known to grow slow and reach very little height. But there are times when plants could outgrow the environment of the terrarium and in such cases it is ideal to replace the plant.

Rotten Plants

Rotten plants should be immediately removed from the terrarium both closed as well as open. The mildew or mould should be carefully removed along with some portions of soil touching the mould. Only after doing this new plant should be potted in it's place.

Planting Terrarium Plants

How many plants one should plant in a terrarium is something that cannot be answered. In a large terrarium one can place as many plants as he wishes. The number of plants to be potted in a terrarium container varies with space and individual.

Planting in Large Terrarium Container

While planting in large terrarium container such as fish tank, make sure that you gather and plant all the succulents together and plant the tropical plants together. Same applies to wide varieties of ferns. The watering and soiling requirement for each of these plants such as succulents, tropical plants and ferns are different. Hence once they are planted in groups in different sections of the container, individual attention can be provided to their needs.

How to Take Care of Your Terrarium Garden

Charcoal is an essential element

1. Always read the instructions carefully while making a terrarium. Do not miss out on the steps 

2. Charcoal is an essential element of the terrarium garden. It is important to add a layer of charcoal on the gravel before placing the soil layer. Charcoal prevents the formation of bacteria towards the drainage level of the soil, thus further preventing the roots of the plants from rotting.

3. It is important to understand and study the pattern of how much time it takes for the soil in your terrarium to dry. Once you learn the pattern it gets easy for you to understand how often and how much you should water. This pattern totally depends on how close the terrarium is placed near the window and how much sunlight it gets. 

4. While preparing the potting soil mix vermicompost to ensure a healthy soil for your plants. 

5. Never add direct tap water to the soil. Ensure that the water added is either bottled or left out for 24 hours for the chlorine to evaporate. You can also use distilled water.

6. To maintain the health of your terrarium garden remove dried leaves or flowers if any.

7. Do not forget to clean the glass of your terrarium container inside out with a lint-free cloth or newspaper sheet to remove smudges, finger prints or dirt if any. This way your terrarium garden would always look beautiful and clean.

Open Terrarium Care

1. Ensure that the open terrarium gets frequent light.

2. Never place an open terrarium right in front of direct sunlight.

Enough moisten soil but never soaking wet

3. Add water once in 7 to 14 days and do so with the help of a syringe or a water dropper. While watering do not add too much water but just enough to moisten the soil.

4. Soil in the open terrarium should always be moist but never soaking wet. 

5. It is not necessary to add fertilizer to the open terrarium regularly. Regular fertilizing ensures good and fast growth which is one thing we don't want to happen in our terrarium. 

6. Any leaf or stem that touches the glass should be cut off. 

7. Regular pruning is essential for healthy and shrubby growth of plants.

Closed Terrarium Care

A closed terrarium need little bit of an extra care as compared to an open care, though taking care of the closed terrarium could be complicated at times. A closed terrarium acts as an self-sustaining universe in itself. Hence the most important care that one can take is mostly during the time you built it up. 

1. If you notice that too much water is collected at the base of the terrarium, remove the lid and keep the terrarium open for at least 1 to 2 days. This way the water would evaporate. Always check for condensation rate in the closed terrariums. Large water droplets should be taken care off by keeping the lid open for a while. 

Always check for condensation rate in closed terrariums

2. If you frequently find signs of dry leaves or rotten leaves, it would be a good idea to take off that lid of the enclosed terrarium for a while.

3. Do not fertilize regularly. Closed terrarium should be fertilized only if you notice any signs of undernourishment in the plants.

4. Regular pruning is essential for healthy and shrubby growth of plants.

5. At times it is ideal to replace a plant with another.

6. It is not necessary to add fertilizer to the closed terrarium regularly. Regular fertilizing ensures good and fast growth which is one thing we don't want to happen in our terrarium. 

7.  Any leaf or stem that touches the glass should be cut off.

Learn more about How to Make Your Own Terrarium

Terrarium Containers - 15 Top Terrarium Containers Ideas

A terrarium can be created in varied containers which offer a beautiful display. All one requires is some imagination and look around oneself. If you plan to make your own terrarium then be creative with things around you. With little creativity you may be able to use containers right out of your kitchen or living area. And who knows the idea of creating a terrarium may just turn out to be an recycled DIY project which you would be proud of! Some terrarium containers that can be ideal for planting include containers made from glass, ceramic, plastic, wood or even metal.

Wine Glass Terrarium

15 Top Terrarium Containers Ideas

1. A wine glass 

Wine glasses of any size and shape can be ideal for making a terrarium. These are ideal for planting small succulents with little amount of gravel and sand.

2. Fish bowl

Clear glass fish bowls which are usually round or oblong in shape and no more in use can be a perfect choice for a terrarium.

3. Glass vase 

Big and deep clear glass flower vase can be used up to make a single plant terrarium.

Fish Bowl Terrarium

4. Fish tank 

 Fish tank is an ideal choice for making a large terrarium. It allows you to plant more than one plants in different size and shapes to create a big indoor terrarium garden. One also gets great opportunity with decorating options for such terrarium.

5. Glass container 

Any glass container  or a clear glass salad bowl which catches your imagination for a terrarium can be a perfect choice for an small open terrarium.

6. Glass jars with lids 

 Glass jars with lids are perfect option for a closed terrarium. These glass jars can be of any size and shape. One that are no more in use in the kitchen storage such as the big pickle jars, can work as an excellent option. Use of plants such as moss or ferns and some decoration will make these plain glass jars into something beautiful.

Bell Jar Terrarium

7. Bell jars 

Clear glass Bell jars can work excellent cover for a indoor, closed terrarium.

8. Hanging glass planters 

Hanging glass planters can be a perfect idea for a terrarium which uses hanging plants such as the swedish ivy plant or even an air plant.

9. Deep glass dish 

 A deep glass dish which is no more in use can be used as a terrarium container for planting small succulents.

10. Birdhouse 

Birdhouse can be an excellent choice for making you own terrarium. Various tall or hanging plants can be planted along the openings or the birdhouse.

Learn more about How to Make Your Own Terrarium

11. Birdcage 

 A birdcage which is no more in use can work as an option for a terrarium. Many hanging varieties could be planted along the rims and edges along with flowreing moss in the center of the cage.

12. Mud pots 

Small mud pots can be used as an excellent decorative planter within a large terrarium.

Birdcage Terrarium

13. Tea cups 

 Tea cups, either glass or ceramics can be used for planting succulents to make an small and open terrarium with little decoration.

14. Tea pot 

A clear glass tea-pot could be used as a terrarium container. It is indeed all about imagination and creativity!

15. Ceramic dish 

 A deep ceramic dish or a bowl or even a ceramic deep tray could be used as a terrarium container.

Birdcage Terrarium

Terrarium Garden - Plants for Terrarium

Often considered as an ornamental item, terrarium is more of an small indoor garden enclosed within a glass jar. This enclosed garden can either be found sealed or even open to the atmosphere. However closed terrarium are considered to be more adequate as they allow the plants that are planted inside the terrarium, right amount of exposure to the heat and moisture trapped inside the glass container. However the open terrarium can also work well if proper care is taken. The presence of a even a small terrarium can add beauty and elegance to your house. This beautiful miniature garden can be created by anyone just by following simple steps. Other than that one also needs to know some important basics such as which plant to be potted and how watering is to be done for gaining success at creating a terrarium. The plants that you choose to grow in a terrarium need to be carefully selected. Once you get all steps right, terrarium can be made at home successfully.

Plants for Terrarium

It is important to know which plants are ideally best to be planted inside a terrarium.   A closed terrarium is ideal for planting plant varieties which can grow within the closed, sheltered and dry environment. Plants such as various varieties of ferns and mosses are ideal for a closed terrarium. Various plants such as  golden clubmoss, aluminium plant, Baby Tear's plant, Black Mondo grass, artillery fern, etc can work well within the closed environment. However plants like Black mondo grass are perfect for large-size terrarium built up.

For an open terrarium succulents are the ideal choice. Succulents can survive in dry and humid conditions. They are known to retain water and hence they are an ideal choice for an open terrarium. Succulents can also survive in high light environments. The chances of soil drying out in open terrariums are high and planting a succulent ensures water retaining. Thus one more advantage of planting succulents within a terrarium is that you usually do not have to water often. Watering once a week can work well.

Silver White Rosette Succulent

Some varieties of succulents for terrariums

1. Silver white Rossette

2. Rhipsalis species such as Mistletoe Cactus

3. Gasteria green succulents.

4. The Sansevieria succulent varieties such as the Snake plant.

5. Cryptanthus succulent varieties also known as the Earth Star.

6. Hatiora salicornioides such as the Drunkard's Bones, Dancing Bones, Spice Cactus.

Starfish Cactus

Learn more about How to Make Your Own Terrarium

Few Terrarium Plants Varieties

Starfish Plant  

The starfish cactus or starfish flower plant is almost ideal as the leaves of plants change colour according to the light exposure. The maturity of this plant is slow and doesn't grow much. The maximum height of this plant is not more than 6 inches.

Friendship Plant 

This plant is known to survive in warm temperatures and are beautifully textured. This plant can grow up to 12 inches tall and bores small flowers. It is a perfect choice for a terrarium.

Watermelon Peperomia 

The watermelon peperomia plant is ideal as a terrarium because it is bushy, small and looks beautiful with it's round leaves adorned with silver and dark green stripes. This particular plant requires very little care and can survive in warm conditions.

Watermelon Peperomia

Silver Nerve Plant 

 The silver nerve plant have distinctive leaves with white and silver stripes or pink and green stripes. This plant can survive in warm environments and doesn't need daily watering.

Aquamarine Plant 

This plant have small, round and delicate leaves. They are best option for large terrariums where you could plant them to provide a carpeting or bushy look. This plant is an excellent choice for indoor plants and does not require much maintenance.

Aquamarine Plant

Golden Clubmoss 

The Golden Clubmoss can work as an excellent arrangement for a terrarium. It can survive in low light and evenly moist environments. The leaves of this plant are soft, small and velvety. They add a pop-out colour in a terrarium where more than one plants are planted.

Air Plant 

These plants survive on maximum amount of nutrients they get from air and hence do not need to be planted in soil. They work as a perfect stand-out single plant for a hanging terrarium. Many of these varieties bore flowers and pale colored leaves.

Air Plant perfect for Hanging Terrarium

Spiderwort 

Being a wildflower plant, the spiderwort looks stunning with its perennial wildflowers that come in various color shades such as pink, blue, violet etc. It is an ideal choice for a terrarium as the plant can be used well in a large terrarium for bordering as well as throwing different colors for a pop-out look.

Button Fern 

Button fern plant look beautiful with their small button like leaves and hence are an ideal choice for a terrarium. They can grow well with more or less very little care. The presence of evenly moist soil, warm air and indirect light is all that is required to grow this plant.

Swedish Ivy Plant

 The Swedish ivy plant is an indoor plant which requires very less care on our part to grow. Little light and water allows the plant to grow well. This plant has small, round and glossy leaves. Mostly this plant is preferred as a hanging plant. The swedish ivy plant is bushy, dense and gives a carpeting feel. And hence this plant is ideal for planting in a terrarium.

Spiderwort

How to Grow a Cress Caterpillar

School projects include various activities such as growing plants for science projects or even craft projects which asks for growing plants in recycled pots. Such DIY projects helps children learn and understand in fun way as well as it turns out educational. Involving kids in such projects encourages a child to understand the importance of recycled products and also help them learn growing plants.

Cress plant grows quickly and hence can be part of a DIY project where one has not much time altogether. Not only it grows quickly but can also be used in salad preparations or even sandwiches. Thus using cress plant can pretty much make sure that your project completes in time.

Materials you will need for growing a Cress Caterpillar

Egg shells - 4 or 5
Cardboard egg box cut outs - 4 to 5
Scissor
Googly eyes
Paint - green, red and black
Paintbrushes
Glue
Cress seeds - 4 to 5 tsp
Cotton wool
Red pipe cleaner or red card paper

Method for growing a Cress Caterpillar

1

Take four or five eggs shells and clean them. Remove any dirt or stain and wipe out clean. With the help of scissor, trim the top of the shells.

2

Pain each egg shell green with help of paint and brush. Once the paint dries, put red spots on each shell using red paint and brush.

3

Select one egg shell which you plan to put in front and stick googly eyes on it. If you do not have googly eyes, make out eyes with help of a card paper and stick on the egg shell. With the help of black paint and brush paint a mouth. Allow to dry.

4

Paint each egg box cut out with green color and allow them to dry. Once done place each egg shell in each egg box. This cardboard egg box will act as the dishes for the egg shell planters.

5

Place a wad of cotton in the bottom of each egg shell. Sprinkle 1 tsp of cress seeds on top of this cotton wad. Pour spoonful of water over the wool.

6

To make the antennae for the face of the caterpillar which has been glued googly eyes, twist the pipe cleaner and stick on both ends of the egg shell. If pipe cleaner is not available, you can cut out a spiral shape on red card paper and stick it on the face of the egg shell.

7

Place the caterpillar in the desired area and add little water daily. The cress plant takes about one week to grow and then you can just snip it out whenever you wish. Your Cress Caterpillar is ready.

Handy tips

1. Take care that you do not dry out the cotton wool.

2. Do not add too much water

3. Add water with help of a spoon.

How to Make a Simple Solar Oven at Home - DIY Science Projects for Kids

Making a solar oven with a pizza box is one of the simplest way of trying your hands on creating a DIY Science project of simple solar oven. It is a fun experiment which can help your kids enjoy summers by making and testing the solar oven out on a hot day! The simple solar oven is made with materials which are easily available at home and the kids can easily make them by following instructions and being careful with sciessors.

Materials for making a Simple Solar Oven

Large Pizza box - 1, if not available than a cardboard box would do!
Pencil
Big Ruler
Aluminium foil
Chart paper (black color)
Cling wrap / plastic wrap
Transparent Plastic bag
Scissors

Method for making a Simple Solar Oven

1

Draw a square on the flap of the pizza box by leaving at least an inch of space from the edges on the sides of the flap.

2

With the help of the scissor or a cutter cut along the three sides of the square leaving the top side folded along the uncut lines. With help of glue, line the folded flap with an aluminium foil. This aluminium foil would work as a reflector. You could also line the aluminium foil and fold the edges which could then be sealed with cellophane tape.

3

Place and line the insides of the pizza box with an aluminium foil, leaving no gaps throughout. Once done, cover it with a chart paper.

4

Place on this a transparent plastic bag on which you could place the plate in which food can be warmed.

5

Cover the window which was made by cutting the square on the top of the pizza box with two layers of the cling wrap.

6

Place the simple solar oven in a place which receives direct sunlight. Adjust the reflected such that maximum sunlight would reflect off the foil.

7

Test you simple solar oven by trying to melt butter or cheese on a bread slice. Once successful try other foods. The process of using this simple solar oven takes a longer time to cook and hence some patience is required on your part! But always remember that this way of cooking is about using a clean source of renewable energy and hence one should be proud of the results!

How this works?

The energy that is radiated from the sun is harvested by the solar oven to cook food. The aluminium foil lined on the flap works as a reflector and reflects the rays of sun directly on the are where food is placed. The black chart paper absorbs the heat and the plastic sheet placed beneath the food plate helps to retain the heat and cook.

How to Build Your Own Hovercraft Toy

Making a hovercraft toy is a DIY fun activity for kids. This simple activity where the children make their own hovercraft using simple materials available easily at home would keep kids busy and entertained during weekends and holidays. The best part about making this hovercraft toy is that you could use it as a toy made from recyclable materials and thus label it as a recyclable craft.

Materials required to build your own Hovercraft Toy

Old CD - 1
Balloon - 1, big size
Pop-top cap - 1 (from used drinking water bottle)
Glue

Method for Hovercraft Toy

1

Take a pop-top cap and with the help of glue, stick it in the center of the used CD right around the hole. Ensure that before sticking, the pop-top cap is closed. Allow it to dry completely.

2

Stretch the neck of the balloon on the pop-top cap.

3

Once done, blow the balloon from the other end of the CD. Now open the cap. Place this hovercraft on a smooth surface and watch how it glides away. It is important that the hovercraft toy you made is placed on the smooth surface to allow smooth gliding.

How this Works?

A hovercraft is a vehicle that is known to glide over a smooth surface by hovering on an air-cushion. And hence it is also known as a Air Cushion Vehicle. The air currents trapped beneath the vehicle's surface allow the vehicle to glide smoothly.