Soil Treasure Hunt

Title: Soil Treasure Hunt
Description: Get your hands dirty and discover the treasure of soil.
Season: Any season
Length of Activity: 30 minutes
Age: 5-12
Price: Approximately $25
Button: Start the Activity

Soil Treasure Hunt
When you look at a pile of soil, what do you see?
Most people might think it’s just a simple pile of dirt. But the truth is, soil is very much alive.

But dirt and soil aren’t exactly the same thing. Dirt is mostly made up of broken-down rocks that contain minerals like calcium, magnesium and iron.

Soil, on the other hand, is dirt with the added bonus of organic and inorganic materials. Divided into two different parts, the topsoil and the subsoil, it’s alive and supports life on this planet.

Today, we are going to take a closer look at soil and see what we can discover.

But before we start, let’s make a hypothesis, or educated guess.

What do you think you might find in the soil just outside your door?

Supplies and Tools needed:
● A wheelbarrow full of soil, preferably from your garden.
● Garden gloves
● A magnifying glass or a microscope
● A notebook and pencil (optional)

Getting started

Step 1: Before starting, have your child make a prediction about what they will find.

Step 2: Dump the wheelbarrow of soil in a place where you can easily explore it.

Step 3: Make observational notes. For example, what color is the soil? What do you see using only your eyes? Using the magnifying glass or microscope, can you see other things that you couldn’t see using just your eyes?

Taking it Deeper
What do you think might happen if you tried to grow food in dirt?
Do you think that all plants like the same balance of soil or do some plants require different make ups?

Further Reading
Understanding what is in our soil -what it needs more of and what is creating an imbalance- is a fundamental part of growing food. Food Print, a nonprofit organization, has done a wonderful job of compiling a clear understanding as to why soil is so important.

Further Watching
While worms might seem a little gross, they are a sign of nutrient rich soil. Watch this short SciShow Kids episode to learn more about worms and how they contribute to the growth cycle.