You remember Chia Pets, don’t you? Wait, you say – what is a Chia Pet? It’s a loveable little terracotta animal that sprouts fur from its back, head, and all over. These little guys were the delight of the eighties, and for today’s parents they are a fun and funky blast from the past.
Pining for the eighties once again? Never fear. You too can make a chia pet with your child. You don’t need to buy the kits either. How can you create a chia pet?
Gather some permeable material that contains fine holes. This might be as fine as a nylon stocking or as permeable as a mesh bag. Tulle from fabric stores works well too. This is the body of your chia pet.
Collect some potting soil and sprouting seeds. Grass seeds work well, or alfalfa works if you want your pet to have curly hair. Place the potting soil inside the material and sprinkle a thick layer of seeds on the top.
Now comes the fun part. Morph your animal into whatever shape you wish. Create a pet octopus by placing the soil in a ball, attaching an elastic to the bottom of the ball, then cutting the bottom of the fabric into strips. Make a hedgehog or a porcupine by shaping the fabric into a long body shape, then use the elastic at the end to make the last part of the fabric into a tail.
Gently spray the creature with a spray bottle and set it out on a sunny window. In a few days, the grass or alfalfa will begin to grow and you will have your own reusable, invented growing pet.
What retro toys do you remember from your childhood? Have you tried to replicate them with your children, or are they still around?