We’ve all seen grass heads before but have you ever made an animal grass head? With only a little bit more effort than a regular grass head, the results are so worth it!
Last year, I became familiar with my sewing machine by making some animal bean bags and continued that friendship by making these wildlife grass heads. If you don’t have a sewing machine, don’t worry, you could easily sew your animal shapes by hand too. This is a perfect, simple animal craft activity for kids of all ages!
How to make grass head animals
You need:
- Stockings
- A Sewing machine or needle and thread
- Soil
- Grass seeds
- Water
Animal grass head instructions
- Draw the animal shapes on the stockings with felt pen
- Sew or stitch around the shapes. Ensure you leave one end open.
- Cut the surrounding stocking away from the shape.
- Mix 1 cup of soil and 1 cup of grass seed.
- Put the seed and soil mixture into the stocking (see below for specific dinosaur grass head instructions)
- Sew up the open end of the stocking, or use a rubber band to seal the end.
- Soak the animals in water and keep it moist (not wet)
*Dinosaur instructions:
We filled the bottom half of the dinosaur with soil only (no seeds). To get the grass seed and soil mixture into the thin top layer (to make the spikes that line the back), we used a straw. Put the straw down the tube of stocking and fill it up by putting the soil and grass mixture in the straw. This was a great activity for fine motor skills for Miss Poss.
Growing the Animal Grass heads
In less than three days, you’ll see the seeds start to germinate (you’ll see the roots come down first). Within 5- 6 days you’ll have a healthy head of grass hair on your animals and enough to start cutting your animal’s hair. Miss Possum loved cutting the dinosaur’s grass spikes!
We made a caterpillar, echidna (would make an awesome porcupine too) and dinosaur. You could make any animal grass head you like. It’s such a fun wildlife activity for kid. Why not create your own!
What animal grass head would you like to make?
You have impeccable timing – I was just thinking of getting a chia pet or two for my boys. This is so much better!
Debi recently posted..Day 27: Go on a Nature Art Walk
I had no idea what a Chia Pet was, so I had to google it. Wow, they are cute! To be honest, I kind of like ours better too. Glad I for you at the right time. I might have to tag Chia Pet in my post now huh?!
This is such an awesome idea for kids! I will definitely be incorporating this into one of our fun days!
Thanks so much Karina. I really appreciate that you took the time to comment! I hope they like it. It’s just lovely seeing the first grass blades shooting out of the animal.
Those are so stinkin cute! I totally want to try this in the spring!
Thanks Deborah. I’m sure they would love them! We had so much fun seeing the blades pop out of the stockings and complete the animals
The echidna is just adorable!
Danya Banya recently posted..Bath tub painting fun
Thanks you. His my favourite too *grin*
These are so incredibly awesome! Dino Boy will be super excited to try these out!! Thanks so much for sharing, pinned
Kelly recently posted..How to make a gnome family
Thanks for Pinning Kelly. I’m sure Dino boy needs to make the dino grass head
Very, VERY cool
Kids – how do we make the shape of this animal?
– this is how seeds (plants) grow
– we need to responsibly water the plants to keep them alive
Lots of possible discussions and lots of fun. Thanks Penny
Hinterland Mama recently posted..Chalk potion science – experimentation in the name of fun
Thanks so much. I should have put those points in, shouldn’t I. I think I was so rushed to get this post done that I forgot to put the many learning opportunities in.
Ohhh this is so cool.
I havent done grass heads with Dimples yet. I will definitly have to give this one a go.
thanks for inspiring!
Renee @ Adventures at home with Mum recently posted..Dinosaur Fossil Discovery
You’re welcome Renee. I hope Dimples loves them!
Adorable Pen! The echidna is my favorite.
How long do they last for?
kirri recently posted..The highly successful habits of mums
Mine are still going strong, three weeks so far. I think you’ll need to cut the grass though or it will fall over
Absolutely sensational. I’ve pinned this.
I hope to make some when my little one is a touch bigger.
Kate recently posted..DIY Baby Rattle
Thank you for the support Kate
This is so awesome Penny! Now I know what to do with my old stockings – my kids will love this!
Deb @ Aspiring Mum recently posted..Connecting Daily With My Children.
I know! I recycle my stockings. I can’t believe I got three animals out of them. I could have got another animal if I had of tried!
Ohhhhh, the echidna is absolutely adorable!
Amie @ Triple T Mum recently posted..Weekly Kid’s Co-Op: Valentine’s Day Threading Craft
Thank you Amie. It’s my favourite too
I love the echidna too! He is too too cute. I want one
~ I’ll post a pic to your FB wall when we make it. Love him 
Kate – An Everyday Story recently posted..The Blue Fire Extinguisher
That would be so wonderful, thank you Kate!
Oh my how cute and clever, love this.
Cutest idea ever!!! I can hardly wait to do stuff like this with my daughter
Julie – Ladybug’s Spots recently posted..Homemade gummi vitamins
Just too cute Penny…why have we only ever done the boring grass head version lol!!! Can’t wait to try this out with the girls…they love their gardening so i know they will love this…your a genius woman!!
Jode recently posted..The Power of Eggshells!
So cute! I’ve made grass heads at school quite a few times, but never made anything other than regular old heads. I’m going to give these animals a try.
Kylie @ Octavia and Vicky recently posted..5/52
Love that echidna.
Jackie@My Little Bookcase recently posted..A baby’s first book: A precious milestone
Wonderful site with great ideas. Not only ru building a love of wildlife in ur kids, but also a love of family, imagination, motor skills, life, outdoors and fun. I did the same with my mum and now my toddlers. We must never underestimate what this quality time means to them.