Green Hair Pod People

Age Range: 5–12 years
Time Required: Once materials are gathered about 10–15 minutes
Elements: Practical & Self

Description & Outcome

Learn about getting creative while growing plants and food. Talk about the benefits of growing your own plants and food.

Make a cute pod person with googly eyes out of an old stocking and watch his/her green ‘hair’ grow. This activity could be done face to face or individually while your Unit meets online

Materials Needed

  • Old Stocking/pantyhose
  • Large recycled jar or pot lid
  • 1-2 cups of soil
  • Grass or Chive Seeds
  • A cup or mug
  • A spoon for scooping
  • Rubber bands & thread
  • Googly eyes or cardboard
  • Scissors & Glue
  • A table or bench to create on

Instructions

  1. Cut off a 20cm length of stocking leg keeping the toe end in tact.  If you don’t have the toe section you can tie a knot in the end.
  2. Stretch the closed end of the stocking over a large cup or mug and add about 2 teaspoons of seeds.
  3. Pack in potting soil on top of the seeds.  Fill the stocking enough so it can make a ball of soil about the size of a tennis ball.
  4. Close up the stocking by tying a knot close to the soil to make a ball. Turn your ball upside down so the knot is at the bottom.
  5. Make a nose and ears by pinching some of the stocking and twisting. Fasten the pinched material with a rubber band or cotton thread to hold it in place. You can stick on some eyes too. Give your Green Hair Pod Person a name.
  6. Wait and watch the green hair grow.
  7. Show everyone in your next meeting.
     

As a Girl Guide, How Can I Lead This Activity?

  • Read a bit about how long it takes for grass or chives to grow. What are the stages of growth? Share this with the group.
  • Ask the girls what ideas they have for growing food in or around their house.
     

As a Unit Leader, How Can I Make This Activity Girl Led?

  • Allow the girls to choose their own name for their ‘head’.
  • Allow older girls have turns leading the different parts of this activity.
  • Encourage girls to discuss all the benefits of learning to grow plants and food at home.

As a Unit, how can we make sure everyone is included?

  • Allow each girl her own style for creating the face and head.
  • If anyone has trouble with scissors or tying knots make sure they have an older girl or adult available to assist before you all start.  
 

Follow Up Questions and Reflections

  • What can we do differently next time?
  • What other activities could you do with your new skills?
  • How did it make you feel?
  • What did you like or dislike?
  • What did you learn?

Activity source and acknowledgements

This has been a long time favourite of Girl Guides NSW, ACT & NT and was traditionally titled ‘Hairy Harry’. Thank you to Possum from Elanora Guides, Northern Sydney NSW.
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