August AGtivity: Grow a Plant, Make a Friend
Hortiki PlantsA Fresh Start: Growing with Pet Plants This August
Whether you're soaking up the last weeks of summer or getting ready for a new school year, August is the perfect time for activities that spark curiosity and create calm. With flexible schedules and a mix of indoor and outdoor time, it’s a great moment to weave in playful, hands-on learning that connects kids to nature and themselves.
One simple, meaningful activity? Caring for a plant—and turning it into a “pet.”
Why Gardening Works for Kids (Any Time of Year)
Whether at home or in the classroom, plant care encourages learning, mindfulness, and responsibility. The experience can be as straightforward or as imaginative as you like.
Gardening helps kids:
- Establish routines through regular care like watering and observing
- Explore science through action—watching plants grow and change over time
- Build confidence through successful care of a living thing
- Foster creativity and empathy through storytelling, art, and reflection
Turn a Plant Into a Pet
Plant care becomes even more engaging when kids personalize the experience. Encourage them to:
- Name their plant (think: “Captain Cactus,” “Sunny the Sunflower,” or “Mossy”)
- Decorate the pot using paint, stickers, or found objects
- Write stories or comics about their plant’s “adventures”
- Keep a journal to track growth and reflect on the experience
These small touches turn a science project into a full STEAM activity, blending biology, art, writing, and even social-emotional learning.
Ideas for Home or Classroom
- 🌿 “Plant Parent” of the Day: Rotate care duties among students
- 🧪 STEAM Tie-Ins: Explore plant life cycles, graph growth, or design custom planters
- 💬 Mindful Moments: Use plant journaling to connect care with emotions
- 📚 Pair with Books: Read The Tiny Seed by Eric Carle or Planting a Rainbow by Lois Ehlert for nature-themed storytelling
Whether you're setting up a cozy indoor corner or a sunny windowsill station, pet plants offer a calming, creative outlet for kids at any time of year. Use the prompts below, written to help kids bring this August AGvendure to life!
🌿 PET PLANT ACTIVITY GUIDE
Grow, Create, Reflect
✅ WHAT YOU'LL NEED
- A small plant (or seeds to grow one)
- Pot and soil (or a Pet Plant Kit)
- Markers, stickers, or paint for decorating
- Journal or notebook (or use the printable journal pages below)
- Optional: books, rulers, art supplies
🌱 ACTIVITY 1: NAME YOUR PLANT
Give your plant a name just like you would a pet! Naming helps create a bond and adds personality to your care routine.
✏️ Write it here:
My plant's name is: ___________________________
🎨 ACTIVITY 2: DECORATE YOUR POT
Turn your plant’s pot into a home! Use art supplies to decorate it with faces, scenes, or symbols that match your plant’s personality.
💡 Tip: Reuse materials like old buttons, fabric scraps, or paper to make it eco-friendly.
🪴 ACTIVITY 3: BE A PLANT PARENT
Make a care plan! Create a watering and sunlight routine for each week using a chart like the one below.
| Day | Watered? ✅ | Sunlight Check ☀️ | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Monday | |||
| Tuesday | |||
| Wednesday | |||
| Thursday | |||
| Friday | |||
| Saturday | |||
| Sunday |
📏 ACTIVITY 4: TRACK YOUR PLANT’S GROWTH
Use a ruler to measure your plant once a week and draw what it looks like.
| Date | Height (in/cm) | Notes on Changes | My Drawing |
|---|---|---|---|
| Week 1 | ✏️ | ||
| Week 2 | ✏️ | ||
| Week 3 | ✏️ |
🧠 ACTIVITY 5: WRITE A STORY ABOUT YOUR PET PLANT
Where would your plant go if it could move? What adventures would it have? Use your imagination and write a short story.
✍️ Story Starter:
My pet plant, ____________, is not your ordinary plant. One morning, it surprised me by…
💬 ACTIVITY 6: PLANT CARE REFLECTIONS
Use these prompts once a week to encourage mindfulness and emotional awareness.
- How did I feel while taking care of my plant today?
- What did I notice about my plant that I didn’t see before?
- What’s something I’m proud of this week?
📚 BONUS: BOOK PAIRINGS
Pair your plant care time with stories that celebrate growth and nature:
📖 The Tiny Seed by Eric Carle
📖 Planting a Rainbow by Lois Ehlert
📖 Up in the Garden and Down in the Dirt by Kate Messner
👀 WANT TO GO FURTHER?
- Start a Plant Club with friends or classmates
- Make a comic strip about your plant’s life
- Create a science report on your plant’s needs
- Host a Pet Plant Parade and show off decorated pots!
Want an Even Easier Way to Get Started?
Check out Hortiki Plants Pet Plants—kid-friendly, eco-conscious kits designed for fun and low-stress growing.
A Small Habit That Grows Big
In a season full of transitions, giving kids a chance to care for something living can offer stability, focus, and joy. Whether it’s part of summer exploration or back-to-school rhythms, pet plants help kids slow down, observe closely, and take pride in small, meaningful moments of growth.
