I started a worm compost bin a couple of months ago and thought that it would be fun to use it as a learning opportunity for our homeschool co-op. Honestly, I wasn’t sure if the kids would be into learning about worms, but they ended up totally loving it!
Here is everything you need to host a fun, hands-on homeschool co-op on composting worms!
Worm Anatomy
First, we had the kids color a worm anatomy printout. Their anatomy includes a simple nervous system, the digestive tract, 5 hearts, and clitellum. We kept things simple since our age group is on the younger side.
You can purchase a composting worm mini unit study from my LifeandLogic Etsy shop HERE. It includes: worm anatomy printouts, handwriting vocabulary practice, a word search, an overview of the red wiggler worm digestive system, and questions and answers for kids about composting worms.
What Do Composting Worms Eat?
Next, I put some food scraps and a little water in a blender. Before we blended up the food I asked the kids, “What kind of food do you see in here?” and “Why would we feed the worms blended or chopped up food?” I shared what happened when I tried to feed them large pieces of food (it takes forever for them to eat it) and that worms have no teeth.
Foods that are great for worms include fruit and vegetable scraps (minus garlic, spicy peppers, onions and citrus). No processed foods, oils, dairy, or meat; it is a bit similar to regular composting. Any foods that are starting to go bad, (like pears or bananas that are soft) are a real treat for the worms. The food doesn’t have to be blended, it could just be chopped up. It’s just easier for me to blend it, and the worms process it faster.
Kids Feed the Worms!
I had the kids blend up the worm food (food scraps). Then we went outside to the worm bin that I brought from home (it is the size of a plastic Tote). I asked for a volunteer, and they dumped the food from the blender into the worm bin. Then I had another volunteer add a handful of shredded paper on top of the food. Next, all the kids put their hands in the bin and picked up the worms. (Remind the kids to be gentle.)
They thought it was the coolest thing. I brought some gloves in case some didn’t want to use their bare hands, but most of them did end up just using their bare hands. They also found some worm eggs when they were peeking around in there.
Learning Questions on Vermicomposting for Kids
These are the questions I asked them while we were outside admiring and touching the worms:
- What environment do red wiggler worms like to live in? They like a dark place with cool temperatures (ideally 45-65 degrees Fahrenheit). They also need some moisture as they breathe through their skin. Their environment should be moist, not too dry that they are dehydrated and not too wet that they drown.
- What do these worms do? They break down organic matter, i.e. fruit and vegetable food scraps; and turn them into worm castings.
- Why are composting worms important? They make “black gold” which makes for amazing garden fertilizer for plants. Having composting worms at home also reduces food waste from going into landfills. We make less trash and get free fertilizer – a win-win!
- How are red wiggler composting worms different from earthworms? Earthworms digest soil, including decaying plants and microbes, and go deep underground. Composting worms digest food scraps and stay within the top 1-3 inches of the pile.
- What animals eat worms? Fish, birds, chickens, frogs, etc.
Collaborate and Create Worm Anatomy Using Play-Doh
Lastly, using the worm anatomy printout they colored at the beginning, I had them split into 2 groups to make Play-doh worms and create the worm’s internal anatomy as a group. Some made the eggs, some put the 5 hearts on, and some made the intestines. And the littles just made little worms.
List of Things You’ll Need to Host a Homeschool Co-op on Composting Worms
- Worm bin
- Gloves (optional)
- Blender (with food scraps- ours had scraps of cucumber, carrots, eggshells, lettuce, and pear)
- Shredded brown paper or newspaper
- Print outs of worm anatomy
- Crayons
- Play-Doh (with a couple different colors)
- 2 cookie sheet metal trays to put their worm play-doh projects on
(Print free list below)
Here is a video that shows how to create your own composting worm bin at home if you don’t already have one or have been thinking about making one. I promise, it’s cheap and very easy.
Literally all you need to start is an opaque plastic bin, a drill to make holes, shredded paper, and worms! We bought our worms online at Uncle Jim’s Worm Farm, and the worms were the only thing we spent money on since I already had the other supplies on hand.
Our worms are kept in the garage, and lots of people even have these in urban areas and small apartments. We have never had any issues with smell. If it ever gets smelly it could be too wet, or maybe you’re feeding the worms too often.
This a great, hands-on homeschool co-op activity for all ages, and I hope your kiddos enjoy learning about vermicomposting in a fun, hands-on way! Maybe you’ll inspire others in your homeschool co-op to start their own vermicomposting bins at home!
If you enjoyed this homeschool co-op on composting worms, check out How to Host an Awesome Halloween Co-op Party!
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