How To Make Grass Heads

Who's that goofy, green-haired guy peeking out over your window sill? It's a grass head—a fun, creative grass craft for kids that lets them show off their imaginations. With some grass seed, soil, and repurposed items from around the house, kids can invent their own silly characters. Add some funny details, water well, and watch these wacky friends come to life!

Gather These Things

Kids craft projects are messy—it's all part of the fun. Use a tablecloth or washable material to cover their work surface, or or head outside. Be sure to put on gardening gloves when handling grass seed—the extra layer will help keep their kid fingers safe (and out of their mouths).

• Nylon tights or pantyhose (1 pair makes 2 grass heads)
• 1 bag of Scotts® Turf Builder® LawnSoil™
• 1 bag of Scotts® Turf Builder® Grass Seed Sun & Shade Mix®
• A tablespoon
• A scoop or large spoon (you can also use your hands)
• A watering can, spray bottle, or plant mister filled with water
• Kid-safe scissors
• A hot glue gun
• Small, decorative items for making faces or accessories
• A support for the finished head to sit on

Follow These Steps

1. Cut the feet from the tights.Use your scissors to cut the tights somewhere between the ankle and the knee. You'll use one foot for each grass head you want to make. (You can discard the rest of the tights, or save the fabric for another craft project.)

2. Sprinkle grass seed into the toe.With the toe pointing down, open the cut end of the tights. You can place the toe of the tights into a glass, then stretch the cut edge over the rim to help hold it open. Use the measuring spoon to place 2 or 3 tablespoons of grass seed into the toe of the tights. Scotts® Turf Builder® Grass Seed Sun & Shade Mix®works well for this project because it can grow under and through a light cloth.

3.Cover the seed in soil.Use a scoop or your hand to place Scotts® Turf Builder® Lawn Soil into the tights, covering up the layer of grass seed at the bottom. Gently press it down with your hand. Keep adding soil until the foot of the tights is about halfway full, and fairly firm to the touch. You'll end up with a ball of soil that's about the size of a tennis ball or potato (or slightly bigger if started with larger tights). The soil holds moisture and a mix of nutrients that will help your grass grow more quickly. Note: Store any leftover grass seed and soil in a cool, dry place.

4.Tie a knot at the open end of the tights. Create a knot at the base of your soil ball to keep the soil and grass seed snugly inside. Use your scissors to cut off any excess fabric about an inch above the knot.

5.Shape your head. Gently roll your grass head between your hands to form a smooth ball or egg shape. Position the ball so the layer of grass seed is at the top and the knot at the bottom. If you like, grab a small section of soil in the front of the ball and secure it with a rubber band to form a nose. You can do the same to make ears, too.

6.Add some personality. Give your grass head an expressive face and a sense of style! Twist pipe cleaners into eyeglasses, a headband, a necklace, or big hoop earrings. Cut felt into a mustache, eyebrows, smile, or frown, and add googly eyes, or colorful buttons. Carefully attach each item with a hot glue gun—remember, younger kids will need help. Hot glue keeps everything in place, even when you water the head.

7. Soak your grass head, then put it in a sunny spot. The first time you water it, dunk your grass head into clean water, or use a watering can to soak the soil all the way through. Then sit it on top of something that can catch excess water, like a yogurt container, mug, or small clay pot. Then, put your grass head in a sunny spot.

8.Water your grass head every day. Grass seed needs lots of water and sunlight to get off to a good start and keep on growing. Water your grass head lightly, with a spray bottle or plant mister, at least once a day to keep the soil moist. If your grass head lives outdoors, you may need to water it more often. Daily watering also means you'll be sure to see the first, tiny blades of grass begin to grow! (This usually takes about a week.)

9. Watch it grow, then give it a trim. It won't be long before your grass heads sport wild "locks" of hair. You can have fun styling the grass as it grows, or use your scissors to give it a trim and a whole new look. Just don't give it a buzzcut, the grass may not grow back as quickly.

Whether you choose to make a person, animal, monster, or alien—or one of each—your grass head will keep you smiling all summer long. For even more fun, dress up your grass head's container, too!