Tapestry of Faith: World of Wonder: A Program on the Seven Principles of Unitarian Universalism for Grades K-1

Faith In Action: Sowing Seeds of Beauty

Part of World of Wonder

Activity time: 60 minutes

Materials for Activity

  • Dry red clay and compost, perennial wildflower seeds suitable for your local climate, large bowls, and water
  • Cookie sheets
  • Closing song lyrics from Session 1
  • Optional: Brown lunch bags and markers
  • Optional: A copy of the book Miss Rumphius by Barbara Cooney

Preparation for Activity

  • Consult with the religious educator to schedule this event and decide how to distribute seed balls to the congregation.
  • Decide how many seed balls to make, and purchase materials (or obtain donations).
  • Recruit volunteers to help, including some to take photographs or video.
  • Place seed balls ingredients at work tables.
  • Optional: Set up a table with brown lunch bags and markers
  • Optional: View an instructional video on making seed balls, on YouTube.

Description of Activity

Children make seed balls to give the gift of nature's beauty to their families, friends, and co-congregants.

Have participants sit at work tables with adult volunteers. Allow children to do as much of the work as is feasible. They can take turns measuring and mixing the ingredients. Include everyone in forming the seed balls. Have volunteers take pictures or video during the event.

To make the seed balls, mix together (with your hands) in a large bowl:

  • 5 parts dry red clay
  • 3 parts compost
  • 1 part seeds (perennial wildflower seeds suitable for your climate)
  • 1 part water

The mixture should be easily shaped into 1 inch balls (you do not want the "dough" to be too wet). Put the seed balls on cookie sheets or trays to dry.

Optional: Children may wish to decorate brown lunch bags with messages such as "spread beauty," or pictures of flowers.

Optional: Have a volunteer read Barbara Cooney's story, Miss Rumphius, about a woman who spreads beauty by sowing lupines.

In closing, ask the World of Wonder children to lead participants in the song, "We've Got the Whole World in Our Hands." Distribute seed balls to the congregation, perhaps during coffee hour. If you have decorated brown lunch bags, provide these to congregants to hold the seed balls.

Plan to share the photos or video with the children next time the group meets.