EXTENSION CONNECTION: Growing a grass handprint makes a great summer DIY project

Soon, kids will be out of school, and you know they'll be bored and itching for fun.

So try this boredom buster!

Creating a grass handprint is simple and doesn’t require special equipment.

Materials

•Container to plant in (Ensure the top is large enough for your handprint. Pie plates work great and are super-cheap!)

•Potting soil

•Grass seed

•Writing utensil (pen, pencil or marker)

•Scissors (preferably safety scissors)

•Construction paper or card stock

•Water

Instructions

•Trace your hand on a piece of construction paper.

•Use the scissors to cut out the image.

•Fill the container almost to the top with potting soil; leave at least an inch of space.

•Immerse your paper handprint in water.

•Remove it from the water quickly and lay it out on a flat surface.

•Sprinkle grass seed over the paper handprint until it is covered.

•Lay the seed-covered handprint atop the dirt in the container and cover it with a quarter-inch of soil.

•Ensure the pot receives adequate sunlight and water as directed on the seed packet your seeds came from. In a few days, you should have a grassy handprint!

It's a great introductory lesson to gardening or plant sciences, and it’s just plain cool.

Haley Worley is an agent at the University of Florida's Extension office in Crestview.

This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: EXTENSION CONNECTION: Growing a grass handprint makes a great summer DIY project