Ollie's Plant Pal Week

What you need

• Water, a small cup
• Paper, 2 sheets (one for day one, one for day seven)
• Crayons or markers, pencil or crayons
• House plant, 1, non-toxic
• Plate or tray, 1 tray
• Towel, 1

How to do it

Grown-up prep: Pick one house plant your child can reach safely. Some house plants are toxic if leaves are chewed or eaten, so choose a non-toxic one or stay close with little ones. Set it on a tray or near a towel in case of spills. Keep the day-one drawing somewhere safe for next week.

1. Pick your plant pal and gather your cup, paper, and crayons.
2. On day one, look closely at your plant and draw it.
3. Every day, poke one finger gently into the soil, about knuckle deep.
4. Decide: is your plant thirsty? Dry soil means water, damp soil means wait.
   Ask: What do you think would happen if we gave it water every single day, even when the soil is wet?
5. If it's thirsty, pour water slowly around the base until the soil looks dark.
6. Look for something new: a new leaf, a taller stem, or a droopy leaf.
   Ask: What's one thing that looks different from yesterday?
7. Wash your hands with soap after touching soil. No tasting the leaves!
8. On day seven, draw your plant again on a fresh sheet of paper.
9. Put your two drawings side by side. Count the leaves and spot differences.
10. Now show your drawings to a friend! What will your plant pal look like next week?
    Ask: Who will you tell about your plant detective work?

Play it again

• Plant swap: trade plants with a friend or family member and be their plant detective for a week.
• Sun and shade: watch one plant in a bright spot and one in a shadier spot, then compare the drawings.
• Guess first: before each soil check, guess thirsty or not thirsty, then see if you were right.