Lookie what we’re doing today. I know, eventually we’ll be hunting for colored eggs. But first try playing an Easter egg basket toss game.  I promise it’s really fun and anyone can play it.  It’s actually so much fun that we almost forgot about the hunt altogether!

What’s Needed:

• Rope
• Basket
• Plastic eggs
• Seeds or beans
• Clear tape
• Players (1 to a zillion)

Have an adult helper use a piece of rope to hang a basket from a tree branch.  Next, fill plastic Easter eggs up with beans or seeds to give them some extra weight.  I think using seeds for the garden is an extra great idea because once we’re done with the game we can go plant them. Just be sure to add a tag inside so you know what seeds are hiding inside.  

​You will want to tape the eggs shut because even if you have brand new plastic eggs, you probably don’t want them to crack open if you miss the basket. All the seeds or beans will spill out and make a mess.
 
Now it’s time to play! Line up under the basket practice throwing the eggs into the basket.  We used two purple flowers to mark where we have to stand.  Once you get the hang of it, try swinging the basket. How many can you make?
 
If you’re still learning your colors, shot out the color of the egg you’re tossing before you throw it!
 

Look around your garden.  I bet you see tons of dirt! See it?  That’s perfect because that’s what you need for today’s idea. We’re going to do a little science experiment and study the dirt in our garden.
What’s Needed:

• Plastic baggies
• Marker
• Shovel
• Magnifying glass (optional)

​Dirt or soil differs from place to place.  Sometimes it’s hard. Sometimes it’s soft. Today, we’re going to see how it differs depending on if it’s in a sunny spot, a shady spot, or comes from a bag.  First thing you need to do is grab your plastic baggies and write “sunny,” “shady,” and “bagged” on each of them.

Now, find an area in your garden where the dirt or soil is in a sunny spot most of the day. Fill up the baggie that you wrote “sunny” on with dirt from that area.
 
Now, find a shady spot and do the same, but this time fill up the baggie with “shady” written on. 
 
The third bag should be filled up with potting soil that came from a bag you buy at the nursery or garden center.
 
Now, compare the three bags. Really look at each one and try to see where they are the same and how they are different.  Why do you think that is?
 
Here are some questions to think about while you’re looking at your soil samples:

• What do you see in the sunny soil that’s not in the shady soil? What about the bagged soil?
• What do you think you’ll find in each sample?
• Which one do you think will absorb water better?
• Which dirt is softest? Hardest?

 
Can you find other areas in your garden that have different dirt textures than the three we found above? Let me know what you find by posting it below.

​Since today is all about green it seems like a perfect day to turn something white to something green.  (Okay, so this project will take a couple days but it’s still the perfect day to get it started!)

​Carnations are extremely popular cut flowers.  If you’ve ever been to a wedding you may have seen a bunch of the men wearing them on their jackets.  They have a leafy flower but the coolest thing about them is if you start with white ones you can change their color!

​First of all, remove some of the leaves from the stems so the flowers are the only part of the flower receiving the water.  Leave the stems as long as possible and don’t bend them.
 
If the flowers aren’t freshly picked, you’ll want to cut about 1/2 inch from the bottom to make sure the stems can drink the water.
 
Now, add a few drops of green food coloring to the water.  (If you don’t have green, remember you can use blue and yellow to make green.) Then place the carnations into the water.  After a couple days you’ll start to see the petals change to green.  As the flowers drink the water, they absorb the food coloring which dyes the petals.  Your friends will be amazed!

​If you think about it, this is a very simple way to learn about how the stems of plants allow water to travel up and bring nutrients and water to the entire plant! 

​Wondering what to do on a mucky day? Head outside. It's perfect for exploring the mud. Use sticks or even your fingers to make mud drawings. You can also make mud sculptures and leave them out to dry. Although it's messy, it sure is fun. Just be sure to dress properly first and bring a wipe-off towel with you.