How to Teach Kids to Sample Soil

Collect samples of soil from at least three different locations. A garden or nursery, a playground and potted plants are all good examples of places to find soil. Use a spoon or shovel to place 1 to 2 cups of the soil into a plastic bag, being sure to label where the soil came from.

Prepare the soil samples for a discussion with the kids. Pour the samples onto plates and write the origin of the soil on each plate. Explain that "soil" is the more scientifically appropriate name for "dirt." Encourage the youngsters to compare and contrast the different soils. Spray a bit of water on the samples, and see if they note any changes in the soils' condition.

Stage a "soil shake" to demonstrate the different layers in a soil. Place 1/2 cup of each soil into a Mason jar with a lid, followed by 2 cups of water. Encourage them to guess what might happen to the soil if left in the water. Have them shake the jars and let the soil settle for a few hours afterwards.

Examine the soil layers. At the bottom of the jar will be gravel, followed by sand, silt, and clay. Any organic matter, such as twigs or leaves, will float on the water's surface. Compare the soil sample jars to one another, noting their differences and similarities.

Create an art project based on the soil samples. Encourage the kids to paint or draw pictures of the different layers of soil or a painting comparing all the soil samples.