The best way to get kids excited about the environment is to help them form a personal relationship with it. If they form a relationship with the environment, they will care about it and work to protect it.
Mason or apothecary jar Soil or sand Ants! Recipe: Putting the ants into the observatory - If you have a narrow opening in the top of your observatory you will probably want to roll a piece of paper into a funnel shape so you can pour the ants down into the observatory. Ants are cold blooded so they slow down when they get cold. Place the ants in the refrigerator for about 5 minutes to slow them down before you dump them into the observatory. This will make it easier and safer to get the ants into their new home. Water – To give better care to your ants give them a few drops of water every day. Don’t make their sand so wet that water pools on top and they drown, but do give them a few drops a day to keep them hydrated. If you really want to give them love, mix a pinch of sugar in a teaspoon of water and give it to the ants once a week! Food – The best foods for harvester ants are small pieces of fresh fruits and vegetables. Celery, apple, and lettuce work really well because they are not real "mushy" and sticky. Don’t overfeed the ants! They only need 2 or 3 small pieces every two days. After two days if the food has not been completely eaten remove it. This will keep harmful mold from growing in the ant habitat. Temperature – Temperature is a huge factor in how long your ants will live. Ants live longer in a cool room at temperatures of 60 – 70 degrees. Don’t keep the ants in a place where they are hit by direct sunlight as this wll cause the temperature inside the ant habitat to rise.
