Making Sock Pets

Earth Day is a great opportunity to teach children more about sustainability, nature, and what it means to “be green”. This fun project demonstrates those values by using recycled materials and planting seeds. Plus, the funky green hair is hard to beat! Good for Earth Day, or any day.

How to make a Green Haired Sock Pet:

You’ll need an old sock, a plastic container (we found a used Styrofoam cup), potting soil (1 cup per child), grass seed, and felt scraps

Glue a felt mouth, nose, and eyes, to the foot of the sock (the toe will become the top of the sock pet’s head.) Allow time for the glue to dry.

Stretch sock over a sturdy cup and pour a small handful of grass seed into the toe of the sock.

Pack in several handfuls of damp potting soil.

Remove from cup and close off the head end with a knot.

Fill your recycled plastic container 1/3 full of water.

Set the sock (face up) in the container, with the leg of the sock immersed in the water.

Put the sock pet on a sunny windowsill and watch its grass hair grow! Make sure to keep adding water so soil stays moist.

In a couple weeks you may even need to give it a haircut!

Add your own creative touch—arms, legs, or clothing—to finish off your grass pet!