Start a Compost Bin Together
Set up a family compost bin, learn what goes in and what stays out, and watch kitchen scraps transform into rich garden soil over weeks.
What You'll Need
- 1Compost bin or large storage bin with ventilation holes
- 2Brown materials (dry leaves, cardboard, straw)
- 3Green materials (fruit scraps, veggie peels, coffee grounds)
- 4Watering can
- 5Pitchfork or stick for turning
What You'll Need
A compost bin — a tumbler, wire mesh cylinder, or a large plastic storage bin with holes drilled in the sides for airflow
Brown materials — dry leaves, shredded cardboard or newspaper, straw
Green materials — fruit scraps, vegetable peels, coffee grounds, grass clippings
A watering can
A pitchfork, shovel, or sturdy stick for turning
How to Play
Choose your bin. A store-bought tumbler is easiest. A DIY option: drill twenty 1-inch holes in the sides and bottom of a large plastic storage bin. Either works.
Place the bin in a shaded spot with good drainage — under a tree or along a fence. Direct sun dries compost out too fast.
Build the first layer: about 4 inches of brown material on the bottom. Dry leaves, ripped-up cardboard, or straw. "Brown stuff is like the bed for our compost."
Add a layer of green material: banana peels, apple cores, carrot ends, coffee grounds. "Green stuff is the food. The tiny organisms in the soil eat this and turn it into super-soil."
Teach the rules together: Greens and browns in roughly equal layers. Yes: fruit, veggies, coffee, tea bags, leaves, cardboard. No: meat, dairy, oils, pet waste, diseased plants.
Top with browns, water lightly (damp, not soggy), and you're composting. Turn it weekly with a pitchfork. In 6-8 weeks, the bottom will be dark, crumbly, earthy-smelling compost.
Tips
Give your child the daily task of bringing kitchen scraps to the compost bin. A countertop collection container makes this easy.
The compost should smell earthy, not rotten. If it smells bad, add more browns and turn it. Smell is the best diagnostic tool.
After a few weeks, dig into the pile together and look for worms, beetles, and other decomposers. They're doing the real work.
Use the finished compost in your garden. Your child completing the cycle — scraps to compost to soil to growing food — is deeply satisfying.
Age Adaptation Tips
School-age kids can take more ownership. Let them lead the activity, experiment with variations, and explain what they learned.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long does this activity take?
This activity takes about 30 min, with 10 min of preparation time beforehand.
What materials do I need?
You'll need: compost bin or large storage bin with ventilation holes, brown materials (dry leaves, cardboard, straw), green materials (fruit scraps, veggie peels, coffee grounds), watering can, pitchfork or stick for turning.
What age is this activity for?
This activity is designed for 5-8 years. You can adapt it for younger or older children by adjusting the complexity.
Does this need to be done outdoors?
This activity is best done outdoors where kids have space to move and explore.
How difficult is this activity?
This activity has a moderate difficulty level. It may require some preparation or guidance, but is manageable for most families.
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