Worm Bin Bingo
Search through a worm compost bin and find various critters on a BINGO board!
This activity works best if you have access to an active worm bin or compost pile, however you could use a shovelful of dirt from your garden, though you may not find as many creatures. Gently place a shovelful of dirt/compost contents on a newspaper and show kids how to gently sift through the contents and hand worms or other creatures you may see. Give each child a BINGO card and see how many different creatures they can find. Try to be the first one to get 3 in a row! You can use this game as a jumping off point for looking carefully at the diversity of life in your worm bin. What kinds of characteristics do the critters have in common? Can you see inside the worm egg? Can you tell which foods the sow bugs like the best? Encourage your kids to ask their own questions and continue to explore!
How to play:
Pass out bingo cards to each child or pair of children.
Place one large scoop of compost on a piece of newspaper or repurposed manilla folder and place on a table or the ground for a pair or small group of children to explore.
Have children explore the worm bin contents and critters and fill in their bingo cards.
Switch cards and continue playing.
Download set of 20 Worm Bin Bingo Cards (12mb PDF)
Worm Bin Bingo cards were created by the Santa Cruz Home Composting Program. Learn more about composting at home, school or work at www.compostsantacruzcounty.org
More worm and compost links:
California Integrated Waste Management Board's School Garden and Compost Page
Teaching With Worms Online Lessons and Teacher Guide
Watch a worm being born and its five hearts beating.
Watch our Worm Composting How To Video