Eggshell Sprouts

When I was little, I had this big book of arts and crafts suitable for kids and one of the things I always wanted to do was sprouts growing in an empty egg shell and then draw faces on them so that when the seeds sprouted, it would look like hair. Then we could give them a “haircut” and have sprout sandwiches.

However, my parents, who were immigrants from Taiwan, lacked the resources and language ability to know where to purchase a lot of things that we, as US-born citizens, take for granted. And this was something that my sister and I knew inherently, so we rarely ever asked them for things outside of what we were given, unless expressly asked. And even then, we would stick with places and things we knew they had knowledge of. Sprouting seeds unfortunately, would have been beyond their comprehension.

I love my parents, who are amazing, loving, wonderful, and very interesting people (who have now relocated for most of the year to their farms in Costa Rica–some people’s midlife crisis involves motorcycles, my parents’ involved going to a new country where their Spanish proficiency is even less than their English, purchasing land, and becoming farmers) and would not have changed my childhood for anything.

But a teensy part of me really, really wanted to sprout things in eggshells with faces. One night when I was thinking of how to make sprout sandwiches, I remembered the book and the entry, and realized that I could fulfill one of my simple childhood desires with my own children.

This is an easy craft, and all that’s necessary is some sprouting seeds, a couple of cotton balls, water, and some spent egg shells. Permanent markers are better so that the ink doesn’t run when you water them, but you can use regular watercolor markers–you just need to be careful about how you water them.

My 4 year old was obsessed with the egg shells, looking at them everyday and helping me water them, even reminding me to water them in case she thought I forgot. It was a great small “responsibility” for her and introducing her to growing her own food.

Supplies

• Egg shells, emptied, washed and dried
• Sprouting seeds (I had cress, alfalfa, and radish)
• Cotton balls
• Water
• Markers (permanent would be best so the water doesn’t cause the ink to run but if you’re careful, you can use watercolor too.)

1. Reserve your spent egg shells from your kitchen, making sure to crack at the narrow end of the shell so the “face” area can be bigger.
2. Wash the inside of the egg shell and then leave to dry.
3. Once dried, fluff up a cotton ball and put into the bottom of the egg shell. Water until cotton ball is moist.
4. Sprinkle a pinch of whatever sprouting seeds you are using, and water twice a day.
5. Once the sprouts have grown to the desired length, use markers to draw faces on them!
6. Give them a haircut when you’re ready to use and compost the shells.