Building a Terrarium — A Mini World of God's Creation

Memory Verse "Now the Lord God had planted a garden in the east, in Eden; and there He put the man He had formed." — Genesis 2:8 (NIV)

Learning Objective

Students will build a terrarium to create a mini ecosystem and learn how God designed plants and soil to work together.

Lesson Content

God planted the very first garden — the Garden of Eden! It was a beautiful place filled with every kind of tree and plant. God designed plants to grow in soil, drink water, and use sunlight to make their own food. Everything in a garden works together because God planned it that way.

A terrarium is like a tiny garden inside a jar. It has everything a plant needs: soil for roots, water for drinking, and light for energy. The water in a terrarium goes through a mini water cycle — it evaporates, collects on the glass, and drips back down to the soil, just like rain!

Today we will build our own terrariums and watch God's design at work in a tiny world. Our terrariums will show us how God created ecosystems where soil, water, plants, and air all work together perfectly. God is the ultimate Designer!

Hands-On Activity

Use a clear glass jar or plastic container. Add a layer of small pebbles on the bottom for drainage, then a thin layer of activated charcoal, then potting soil. Plant 2-3 small plants in the soil. Add a little water and place the lid on top. Set your terrarium in a spot with indirect sunlight and observe it each day. Draw your terrarium and label the layers.

Discussion Questions

  • What layers did we put in our terrarium and why?
  • How does the water cycle work inside a terrarium?
  • How does a terrarium show us that God designed everything to work together?
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