In honor of Earth Day, we present three easy ways to green your kitchen counter while giving your kids the dirt on how plants grow.

Connor’s Kits for Kids Plant Pals
Teenage entrepreneur Connor Bernstein started his science-kit biz back in the fourth grade (we give him an A for ambition). His well-written experiment instructions have us talking about things like germination and gravity with our 3-year-olds. Plus, all of the seeds are edible (wheatgrass, alfalfa, and mung beans), so Little Green Jeans can taste what he grows. $18.

Growums Garden Kits
Themed garden kits (taco, pizza, ratatouille, stir-fry, herb, and salad) are packed with tasty vegetable and herb seeds destined for the dinner table. Just place the pellets into a pie dish (they expand when water is added), tag each plant, and in a few days you’ll have seedlings ready for the garden or outdoor container. $10.

Green Toys Planting Kit
The ecofriendly fun gurus get back to their roots (literally) with a plastic pot (made from recycled milk jugs), organic sunflower seeds, a soil disk, and packaging also concocted from recycled and recyclable materials. $6.

And that’s one, er, three to grow on.

	Ready to get dirty? We found gardening gear you’ll really dig.

HIPPITY HOP
Texas-Size Easter Celebration
What: Take a picture with the rabbit of the hour, hunt for eggs, and visit animals at the petting zoo.
Why: A cattle drive gives it a true Lone Star twist.
When: Sat., noon.
Where: Stockyards Station, 130 E. Exchange Ave., Fort Worth (817-625-9715). Admission is free.

CELEBRATE
Earth Day Extravaganza
What: Blow human-size bubbles, make recycled paper, and do other hands-on activities.
Why: Show them how easy it is to be green.
When: Sat., 10 a.m.-4 p.m.
Where: Sci-Tech Discovery Center, 8004 N. Dallas Pkwy., Frisco (972-546-3050). Admission is free.

ENCHANT
Beauty and the Beast
What: Belle befriends a monster and gets a fairy-tale ending.
Why: You-know-who will beg for a fancy yellow dress.
When: Tues.-Thurs., 7:30 p.m.; Fri., 8 p.m.; Sat., 2 & 8 p.m.; Sun., 2 & 7 p.m.
Where: Bass Performance Hall, 525 Commerce St., Fort Worth. Tickets at 817-212-4280 or online at basshall.com. Adults and children, $22-$83.

Photo: Courtesy of Kits for Kids