All Activities
Conduct a soil test

Conduct a soil test
Green highlight

Collect soil samples, test texture, drainage, and acidity using water, vinegar, and baking soda, and record observations to learn about soil health.

Orange shooting star
Download Guide
Collect Badge
Background blob
Challenge Image
Skill Badge
Table of contents

Step-by-step guide to conduct a soil test

0:00/0:00

Here at SafeTube, we're on a mission to create a safer and more delightful internet. 😊

How to Do a Simple Soil Ribbon Test

What you need
Adult supervision required, baking soda, clear jar with lid, measuring spoon or teaspoon, notebook, one plastic cup for drainage (you may poke a small hole with adult help), pencil, small trowel or spoon, two small clear cups, water, white vinegar

Step 1

Gather all your materials and bring them to an outdoor table or a flat spot near where you will test soil.

Step 2

Pick two different places to test and write their names as Spot A and Spot B in your notebook.

Step 3

Use the trowel to scoop a small handful of soil from about 2 inches deep at each spot and put each sample into its own labeled cup.

Step 4

Take a pinch of soil from Spot A and rub it between your fingers to feel if it is gritty smooth or sticky and say the word out loud.

Step 5

Take a pinch of soil from Spot B and rub it between your fingers to feel if it is gritty smooth or sticky and say the word out loud.

Step 6

Write the texture words gritty smooth or sticky next to Spot A and Spot B in your notebook.

Step 7

Put about one third cup of soil from Spot A into the clear jar and add water until the soil is covered.

Step 8

Screw the lid on the jar and shake it hard for one minute to mix the soil and water well.

Step 9

Set the jar somewhere safe and leave it to settle for at least one hour so layers form.

Step 10

After the jar settles look at the layers and draw or write how much of the jar is sand silt and clay in your notebook.

Step 11

For a drainage test put half a cup of soil from Spot A into the drainage cup and press it down gently to pack it lightly.

Step 12

Pour one cup of water on top of the soil in the drainage cup and watch how fast it drains then write fast medium or slow for Spot A in your notebook.

Step 13

Put one teaspoon of dry soil from Spot A into a small cup then add one teaspoon of white vinegar and watch for fizzing to test alkalinity then write what you saw in your notebook.

Step 14

Put one teaspoon of soil from Spot A into another small cup add one teaspoon of water to make a muddy paste then add half a teaspoon of baking soda and watch for fizzing to test acidity then write what you saw in your notebook.

Step 15

Clean up your tools and wash your hands with adult help then share your soil test results and pictures of your notes and jars on DIY.org

Final steps

You're almost there! Complete all the steps, bring your creation to life, post it, and conquer the challenge!

Complete & Share
Challenge badge placeholder
Challenge badge

Help!?

What can we use if we don't have a clear jar, trowel, or labeled cups?

If you don't have a clear jar use a clean clear plastic bottle or glass drinking cup for steps 7–10, substitute a sturdy spoon or butter knife for the trowel when scooping in step 3, and mark paper or masking tape on any small container to act as labeled cups for step 3.

What should we do if the jar leaks, the soil won't settle into layers, or the drainage test doesn't work?

For step 8, tighten the lid and wrap the jar in a towel before shaking to avoid leaks, break up large clumps with the trowel before adding water so layers can form in step 9, and for the drainage test in step 12 avoid packing the soil too firmly and poke small holes in the drainage cup if water won't move through.

How can we change the activity for different ages so it's safe and fun for younger children or challenging for older kids?

For younger children have an adult do step 3 scooping and step 14 washing hands while they focus on rubbing soil and saying gritty/smooth/sticky in steps 4–6, and for older kids add measurements of layer heights in step 11, time the drainage in step 12 in seconds, and use pH strips alongside the vinegar and baking soda tests in steps 13–14.

How can we extend or personalize the soil test beyond the basic instructions?

Extend the activity by testing more than two spots, photographing each labeled cup and settled clear jar from step 11, recording sand/silt/clay percentages in your notebook as a chart, and planting identical seeds in soils with different drainage speeds from step 12 to compare growth.

Watch videos on how to conduct a soil test

0:00/0:00

Here at SafeTube, we're on a mission to create a safer and more delightful internet. 😊

Soil Drainage and Retention - Experiment for kids

4 Videos

Facts about soil science for kids

🦠 A single teaspoon of healthy garden soil can contain billions of microorganisms — far more than the number of people on Earth.

🌱 Most vegetables grow best in slightly acidic to neutral soil (pH about 6.0–7.0).

🏖️ Soil texture matters: sandy soils drain fast, clay soils hold water, and loam gives a great balance for plants.

🌍 Soils store more carbon than the atmosphere and plants combined, so healthy soil helps fight climate change.

🧪 Vinegar fizzes in soils with carbonate minerals (like lime), which is a quick sign of alkaline conditions.

How do you conduct a simple home soil test with kids?

Collect small soil samples from several spots (dig 2–3 inches down). Label jars for each sample. For texture, wet a pinch and squeeze to do a ribbon test (sand feels gritty, clay sticks). For drainage, put soil in a clear jar, add water, shake, let settle and note layers and how long water clears. For acidity, make a soil–water slurry: add vinegar to one sample (fizz means alkaline carbonate) and baking soda to another (fizz means acidic). Record observations and clean up with gloves and adult s

What materials do I need for a kids' soil testing activity?

You’ll need small clean jars or clear plastic cups, spoons or a trowel, a notepad and pencil for labels and observations, water, plain white vinegar, baking soda, measuring spoons, gloves, and optional pH test strips or a magnifying glass. Bring a tray or mat for mess control and hand wipes. For safety, use adult supervision when handling vinegar or baking soda and keep ingredients away from eyes and mouths.

What ages is a soil testing activity suitable for?

This activity suits toddlers (2–4) with heavy adult help—focus on collecting and observing. Ages 5–8 can follow steps with guidance, learn texture and simple fizz tests. Ages 9–12 can run tests more independently, record data, and compare samples. Teens can design experiments, use pH strips, and interpret results for gardening decisions. Always supervise young children and adapt complexity to attention span and fine motor skills.

What are the benefits of doing a soil test with children?

Soil testing builds observation, hypothesis‑testing and record‑keeping skills while teaching basic earth science and environmental care. Kids learn about soil texture, drainage and acidity’s effects on plant growth, which supports future gardening and healthy food choices. It encourages outdoor curiosity and critical thinking, plus teamwork and measurement practice. The activity is low‑cost and can spark longer projects like comparing sites, testing amendments, or starting a garden.
DIY Yeti Character
Join Frame
Flying Text Box

One subscription, many ways to play and learn.

Try for free

Only $6.99 after trial. No credit card required

To create a safe space for kid creators worldwide!

Discovery Tools

DIY Wiki

DIY TV

Creativity Tools

How to draw

Teacher Tools

SafeTube

DIY Blog

2025, URSOR LIMITED. All rights reserved. DIY is in no way affiliated with Minecraft™, Mojang, Microsoft, Roblox™ or YouTube. LEGO® is a trademark of the LEGO® Group which does not sponsor, endorse or authorize this website or event. Made with love in San Francisco.