Dora's Decorated Pot

Kids love watching a flower grow from a seed, particularly when it's a seed they've planted. To give their seed a special start, your child can create a waterproof decorative planter using a terracotta pot from a local garden center. You'll need to apply polyurethane sealant if the pot is non-waterproof. Seeds for perennial flowers like marigold moon flowers and morning glories do particularly well. For best results, use a light potting soil or a seed-starting soil.

Catch Dora every day on Nick & Nick Jr.

Materials

• Dora's Flower Pot Stickers
• Child-safety scissors
• Smock or old shirt
• Terra cotta pot with with plastic planter insert
• Non-toxic acrylic paint (optional)
• Paintbrushes (optional)
• Natural sponge (optional)
• Polyurethane sealant or decoupage glue (optional)
• Pebbles
• Potting soil
• Marigold seeds (or other fast-growing flower seeds)

Directions

1. Step 1

   Print Dora's Flower Pot Stickers on adhesive printer paper and set aside. Cover large table with brown packing or butcher paper to protect the surfaces. Your child should wear an art smock for the painting portion of this craft.

2. Step 2

   If your child wants to paint the pot first, show him how to use the paint brush or natural sponge to paint the surface. The natural sponge is a fun way to paint for preschoolers because it doesn't require precision and can create interesting textures. Let the painted surfaces dry before moving on or adding additional painted elements to the pot.

3. Step 3

   The sticker designs can be added once the paint has dried. Help your child cut out the decorative stickers and adhere them to the surface of the pot. To protect the stickers and painted surface apply several coats of waterproof decoupage or crafting glue (non-waterproof glue may turn white when exposed to water or moisture) for a high gloss, protective glaze.

4. Step 4

   If you'd like, instead of using crafting glue, you can seal the outside of the pot with water-based polyurethane to help preserve the artwork. Make sure the sealant is okay for use on painted surfaces, avoiding oil-based sealants, which will give your child's artwork a yellow tinge. This step should be done by adults outside or in a well-ventilated area as polyurethane has strong fumes.

5. Step 5

   After the pot is completely dry, place a plastic planter insert into the pot, covering the bottom with pebbles for drainage, add potting soil, and plant the seeds according to the instructions on the seed packet. (Pay particular attention to the recommended seed depth.) Place the pot in a warm place out of direct sunlight, keep the soil slightly damp but not soaked, and move the pot to a sunny window as soon as the seeds sprout. Help your child tend to the budding flowers.