Do you ever wonder what can be done with the scraps left over from preparing meals? As I was preparing dinner one night, I noticed how much waste comes from our family's kitchen: egg shells, potato peels, celery, carrots, squash, and more. That observation led me to research something called vermicomposting. Simply put, it is using worms to break down food waste into rich fertilizer for plants.
Did your mind shout "Homeschool science project!" as you read that? Yes, this practical life activity can also check off the science fair display box. According to the Missouri Department of Conservation, vegetables nourished with worm castings produced 30% larger vegetables. Results like that make for impressive charts and graphs.
In this post, I will show you how to create your own vermicomposting worm bin. You may already have many of the supplies on hand. I encourage you to allow your child to look for and collect the red wiggler worms needed for their bin. You can find red wigglers on the soil surface where grass has been covered. If you have a flower pot that has been sitting on the grass for a while, you will likely find red wigglers underneath it. Allow your child to gather the dirt as well. Children love collecting materials. It feels like a treasure hunt.
Extension Activities to Maximize Learning
Science Inquiry Topics
- What worms eat
- How worm composting works
- The worm life cycle
- Different species of worms
Number Recognition with Math Kit I
Using your ShillerLearning number tiles, work with your child on number recognition. Set a number in front of your child and have them make worms out of playdough. For example, if you set the number 7 in front of your child, have them create 7 worms and place them under the number. You can use the same approach for addition and subtraction as well. These extensions are perfect for students in Math Kit I.
Science Journaling with Language Arts Kit B
Provide your child with a science journal to keep with their worm bin. They can write about their bin and record observations of what is happening over time. You can also offer creative writing prompts and invite your child to write a story about their worms. This activity pairs beautifully with Language Arts Kit B.
What You Will Need
- Two plastic bins
- One lid to fit the bins
- A 1/4" drill bit or a screw tip
- A drill
- Shredded newspaper or junk mail (inks and other chemicals in newspapers, junk mail, and cardboard do not affect worm health)
- Dirt or compost starter
- Red wiggler worms
- Permanent marker, stickers, decals, or other decorations for your bin (optional but fun)
Step-by-Step Instructions
Decorate Your Bin
Using stickers, decals, or a permanent marker, decorate one of your plastic bins however you like. Set this decorated bin aside. This will be the outer bin that catches any liquid drainage.
Drill Holes in the Bottom
Using the second plastic bin, a drill, and your drill bit or screw tip, drill holes across the entire bottom of the bin. Do not drill holes in the bin you decorated.
Drill Ventilation Holes on the Sides
Using the same bin from Step 2, drill holes along the sides, but only at the very top, all the way around. This provides ventilation while keeping your worms safely inside.
Drill Holes in the Lid
Using the drill and drill bit or screw tip, drill holes across the lid to allow airflow into the bin.
Nest the Bins
Place the bin with the holes inside the decorated bin. The outer bin will catch any liquid that drains through, which can be diluted with water and used as a liquid fertilizer for plants.
Line the Bottom with Newspaper
Line the bottom of the inner bin with a layer of newspaper or a paper bag. This helps retain moisture and gives the worms a comfortable base layer.
Add Shredded Newspaper Bedding
Add a generous layer of shredded newspaper. Spray it with water until it is damp throughout. The bedding should feel like a wrung-out sponge: moist but not dripping.
Add Dirt or Compost Starter
Add a layer of dirt or compost starter on top of the newspaper. Spray with water until damp. The soil should feel like a dampened sponge throughout.
Mix the Bedding
Mix the dirt and shredded newspaper together thoroughly. This creates the worm habitat: a moist, airy, carbon-rich environment that red wigglers thrive in.
Add Your Worms
Gently add your red wiggler worms to the bin. They will quickly burrow into the bedding. Place the lid on top.
Add Veggie Scraps and Begin!
Add your first batch of vegetable scraps and place the lid on the bin. Your worm bin is now active.
- Feed your worms at least once a week using raw fruit and vegetable scraps. The more vegetable material, the better.
- Avoid onions and broccoli, which can produce odor.
- Avoid meat and dairy products. These attract pests and take much longer to break down.
- Keep the bin environment moist, like a dampened sponge. Do not make it too wet, as excess moisture can attract centipedes, which may eat your red wigglers.
- Depending on the number of worms, temperature, and materials, you will have rich compost ready in as little as a few months. It can be added as a soil amendment or top dressing without risk of burning plants. Use it immediately or store it for the next gardening season.
We would love to see your worm bin adventures! Tag @shillerlearning on social media when you share your wiggler farmhands.
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