Composting with kids
It allows us to bring learning to life and engages children in concepts such as sustainability, ecosystems, science, environmental awareness, regeneration and so much more. It’s a holistic process that offers a range of benefits for their minds and bodies, as well as for the planet, including:
- Fostering a love of nature, the environment, and the cycles of life through a fun, hands-on learning experience
- Children learn different ways they can reduce their waste and overall impact on their environment – instilling in them positive habits for the future
- It helps children understand the importance that vibrant ecosystems play in our world and appreciate the delicate process first-hand
- It promotes sustainability and the importance of sustainable practices to create a more sustainable household
- It’s lots of fun for children of all ages to take part in – whether it’s sorting waste, creating layers or simply watching the natural composting process at work.
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Converting waste into nutrient-rich soil may sound complicated, but it really is so easy!
Step one: Identify compostable materials
Help children identify what is compostable material and importantly, what isn’t. Here is a list of a few items commonly consumed at home to help you get started. You can find a complete list of compostable items here.
What to add to your compost bin:
Vegetable and fruit scraps, vegetable oil, pruning’s and lawn clippings, tea bags (staples removed) and coffee, grounds, vacuum dust, shredded paper and cardboard, used potting mix, eggshells, and flowers.
What not to add to your compost bin:
Meat and bones, dairy products, diseased plants, metals, plastic and glass, animal manures, fat, magazines, large branches, weeds that have seeds or underground stems, sawdust from treated timber, pet droppings, and synthetic chemicals.
There are some great posters you can print and put up at home (like this one) to help children learn and sort easily.
Step two: Start small
Whether it’s a jar on your counter, a compost bin or an area in your backyard – setting up a composting station is easy for households of all shapes and sizes. Choose your composting area wisely and make sure it has enough access to fresh air, sunlight, and good drainage. Add a countertop bin in your kitchen and make it part of the daily routine to empty scraps into this bin and add them to your compost bin/area (like we do at Sustainable Play).
If you’re not sure what type of composting system you should use – here is a great infographic to help you decide what will suit your space best. (You can also download a printable PDF here).
You can often create a compost bin/area using items you already have at home. Here The Spruce has collated 15 DIY compost bin ideas using easily recycled materials from around the home.
Step three: Create your layers
It’s all about the layers. Getting the balance right when adding waste to your compost bin, ensures the right consistency to create that great soil.
Start with a base layer of twigs, mulch, or old potting mix to encourage air circulation and provide drainage. Follow with layers of green and brown material — say garden clippings and kitchen scraps, then leaves and wet paper. Add water after each layer to keep the pile moist but not too wet. Finish with a layer of soil or finished compost to help reduce odours.
‘Ideally, you will be looking to add 25 – 50% green material, with the remainder being brown material. Anything over 50% green can turn your compost rather sludgy and not so nice to use’ says Kids Do: Gardening.
Step four: Turn and use!
Turn, or aerate your compost every week or so and keep it covered at the top (to keep that moisture in which is essential for the process). Another option is to poke garden stakes or plastic pipes through the heap to allow air in.
According to composting guru Heather Rhoades a good rule of thumb is to turn a compost tumbler every three to four days and the compost pile every three to seven days. As your compost matures, you can turn the tumbler or pile less frequently. Some signs that you may need to turn the compost pile more frequently include slow decomposition, pest infestations, and smelly compost. Be aware that if your compost pile starts to smell, turning the pile may make the smell worse, initially. You may want to keep wind direction in mind if this is the case. You can learn more at Gardening Know How: Turning Your Compost Heap – How To Aerate A Compost Pile
Your compost is ready to use when it’s a rich, brown colour and crumbles easily. Be patient, as this might take a few months depending on the size of your bin.
- Gardens that Matter: Choosing the right composting bin
- Composting experiments at home
- A definitive Guide to composting
- What to compost vs. what not to compost for different rooms in the house
The Department of Environment and Conservation have also created a range of composting and worm farm guides to help get you started as well. You can download them below:
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Why not check out our composting system on a Preschool tour?
Our team would love to meet your family and show you around our wonderful preschool! Sustainable Play Preschool is a small preschool, with a focus on engaging children thoughtfully with the natural world every day. Our play-based curriculum holistically prepares children to thrive and includes cooking classes, bush kindy, yoga sessions, gardening and regeneration classes, art and STEM activities.
Written By
Jenny joined the Sustainable Play Preschool team in 2021 with a Bachelor of Arts, Communications and a Bachelor of Business from Charles Sturt University.
Whilst always interested in the power of nature, it was with the birth of her own daughter that she gained a greater appreciation for just how precious (and fleeting) childhood is, and the importance of providing children with a nature centric early learning experience.