Making Composting Understandable For Kids

Let’s learn how to make composting understandable for kids! There is so much children can learn from composting. In fact, composting is considered black gold by gardeners and a zero-waste strategy by environmentalists. Composting is an excellent tool to introduce STEM, patience and introduce gardening to children.

I’ve had years of personal experience making composting understandable for kids! As an environmental educator for the past seven years, I have a range of experience breaking down complicated concepts into a language that is easy for kids to understand. One of my first experiences in environmental education was teaching children how to compost. Specifically, teaching 5th graders.

I was an intern for the county where I attended college and worked for the Public Schools Environmental Department. Part of my intern project was to create a composting program and teach students how to compost in their schools. The idea was to train the oldest elementary students about what could and could not be composted and lead them to teach the younger students. Ultimately, we wanted the students to feel confident in their composting so they could continue the program even after we graduated.

Using that experience, I created a helpful blog post for you to use for your kids! In this post, you’ll learn more about composting, receive some helpful resources, and an activity to do with your student.

This post is all about making composting understandable for kids.

What is composting?

Composting is the recycling of organic material. The material breaks down or decomposes, to form rich soil. 

Essentially, your waste turns into fertilizer. Composting takes your food scraps, leaves, grass clippings, and molded fruit and turns it into rich soil that will make your plants thrive. 

How does this happen? The power of decomposition.

Aerobic decomposition occurs when organic matter decomposes in the presence of oxygen. This is what happens with compositing.

Living organisms, or microbes, feed on organic matter (your green and brown items!), but they need air to breathe!

Composting and Microbes

Microbes are doing all the work for composting. They are the driving force turning our kitchen waste into fertilizer gold.

To make composting understandable for kids, explain to them our job is to keep the microbes happy.

According to the EPA, microbes need the following items to decompose organic matter (make our compost): Oxygen (air), moisture (water), small pieces, and adequate temperature.

• Oxygen: This is accomplished by turning the pile! Microbes need air to breathe.
• Moisture: This is accomplished by allowing natural rainfall in your compost pile or intentional watering. All living things need water, including microbes!
• Smaller Pieces: This is accomplished by grinding, chipping, and shredding materials. Smaller pieces allow microorganisms to more easily munch and break down the organic material.
• Adequate Temperature: This is accomplished by making sure the temperature is warm enough for your microbes. If the temperature is too slow it can slow down the microbe action!

Composting For Kids With Peppa Pig

Composting For Older Kids

Composting for Older Kids/Adults

How do I start composting?

To start composting you’ll need a few things. Choose items whichever items you have on hand from the carbon list and nitrogen list. You’ll need items from both list, but you do not need every item. The purpose is to recycle what you already have into organic soil, not to seek or purchase items. Use what you have.

Materials You’ll Need:

• A bin (or open area)
• Water
• Carbon-rich materials (Brown)
  • Shredded paper
  • Leaves
  • Pine Needles
  • Sawdust
  • Cardboard
• Nitrogen-rich materials (Green)
  • Leftover kitchen scraps
  • Coffee grinds (with filter)
  • Plants and grass clippings
• Something to turn the compost
• Air

Here is a list of easy beginner items you SHOULD put in the compost bin:

• Dry leaves
• Lawn clippings
• Plants
• Fruit and vegetables that are going bad in your fridge
• Crushed egg shells
• Coffee grounds and filters
• Teabags

What shouldn’t I put in the compost bin?

Your compost is not a garbage can. Although composting takes food “waste” and turns it into fertilizer quality of materials still matters, certain foods and materials DO NOT belong in the compost bin.

For example, leftover kitchen scraps are excellent for compositing, it is important to know what kinds of kitchen scraps you should compost.

Everything from your kitchen is NOT good for the compost bin.

In addition, compost breaks down organic materials. non-organic materials should be kept out of your compost bin.

Please note, if your compost is STINKY or WET add more brown. In contrast, if your compost is DRY add more green and add water.

Here is a list of items you SHOULD NOT put in the compost bin:

• Meat
• Baked goods
• Dairy/eggs
• Fruit stickers
• Cooking Oil

Benefits of composting with kids

1.) Composting teaches kids patience

Compost is not a quick process. Although the act of composting is fairly simple, it can take months to years for compost to adequately break down into a useful form.

It can take three to twelve months for composting to be ready for use.

2.) Composting teaches kids to rethink waste

Kids will think twice about what they eat and what happens to their waste!

One of the most rewarding parts of kids understanding how composting works is watching them stare at their plate and work through what is compostable and what isn’t.

Watch out! Once your child gets good at understanding the difference between organic, compostable materials, and those that are not they will hold you accountable! OPT-IN: Composting sheet

3.) Composting guides kids to gain an appreciation for the environment

Composting is rewarding in the sense that it teaches kids to reduce their waste, understand how organic waste can be repurposed, and apply that repurposed organic waste (their compost) to plants for gardening!

It’s a beautiful cycle of environmentalism and STEM education.

Composting Activity for Kids

Compost, Recycle, and Sort Activity

Try this composting, recycling, and trash sort! This is a classic game that is so much fun. Students can even sort out whether compost items carbon items are nitrogen or carbon.

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Your students will LOVE this composting activity for kids! With this bin sorting activity, kids will be able to complete a recycling sort, a compost sort, a trash sort, and combinations of each! To make the activity reusable, simply laminate the sheets and use velcro on the icons. This can be used over and over again! Use this activity to reinforce the types of items that can be composted and whether they are carbon or nitrogen items. Your kids will love learning about what goes into the right bin and how to recycle right. This education activity can be used for students in pre-k to 5th grade. This hands-on Earth Day activity is completely done for you! Just print and cut with the option to laminate and use velcro for longer use. 

This activity includes:

• Compost sorting sheet: nitrogen (greens) or carbon (browns)
• Compost versus Trash sorting sheet
• Compsot versus Recycling sorting sheet
• Recycling versus Trash sorting sheet
• 42 icons to mix and match for the sorting activity
• An answer key

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Compost In A Bottle

Make composting understandable for kids with this STEM activity! Yes, you can make an easy, small composter at home. Here is how you do it!

Materials you’ll need:

• Make your own compost from a 2-liter bottle
• Empty 2-liter bottle
• Dirt from outside
• Food Scraps
• Plant scraps
• Pieces of paper
• Scissors
• Spray bottle
• Old lid (I used a lid from an empty yogurt container) or plate to catch water
• Towel or Duct Tape (I’ve found duct tape works better)

Directions: How to Make Compost in a Bottle

• Cut the top off the bottle and poke some small holes in the bottom
• Place the lid/plate under the bottle
• Add dirt to the bottom of the bottle
• Next, add pieces of paper
• Then, add plant scraps and food scraps
• Spritz with water
• Continue this process until the bottle is filled
• Place the bottle in the sun
• Place a kitchen towel to cover over the bottle when not in use OR use duct tape to tape the bottle closed (I’ve found this works better)
• Stir (or shake) the bottle every few days
• Have your student observe what happens over time

If you’re looking to start a larger compost here is the bin we use!

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STEM concepts to connect to composting

Here are a few subjects which tie nicely into composting:

• Biodegradable versus Recyclable (Reduce, Reuse, Recycle Lesson)
• Carbon and Nitrogen 
• Decomposition/ Decomposers
• Waste Reduction
• Life Science

Additional Composting Resources

• Do The Rot Thing
• Composting in the Classroom
• Composting Guide

I encourage you to try this activity to help making composting understandable for kids! Allow your kids the opportunity to get dirty, ask questions, and have fun learning something new!

Related Posts:

• 5 Beginner Composting Tips To Make Better Compost
• The Best Way To Start Composting For Busy Moms
• Edible Dirt Cup Activity: An Incredibly Easy Way To Celebrate Earth Day With Kids
• 9 Best Earth Day Family Activities Your Kids Will Love