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.

HOP
Atlantic Station Easter Celebration
What: Relay races, a jelly bean count, and adoptable friends from the Atlanta Humane Society.
Why: A doggie beats anything else you could put in his basket.
When: Sat., 1-5 p.m.
Where: Central Park, 171 17th St. NW. Admission is free.

CELEBRATE
Shakespeare’s Birthday
What: A free family-friendly party with games, a bounce house, and crafts to honor the legendary bard.
Why: Complimentary slices of cake are pure poetry.
When: Sat., 11 a.m.-2 p.m.
Where: Georgia Shakespeare, 4484 Peachtree Rd. NE (404-264-0020).

WOW
Tarzan Zerbini Circus
What: Take your pick of wild and tame rides, see silly clowns, and watch trapeze artists fly through the air.
Why: Did we mention funnel cake?
When: Fri.-May 1. Mon.-Fri., 5-10 p.m.; Sat., 10 a.m.-11 p.m.; Sun., noon-10 p.m.
Where: Jim R. Miller Park, 2245 Callaway Rd., Marietta (770-528-8875). Info at 770-425-2331. Park admission is free. Circus: adults and children 6 and up, $10; under 6, free.

Photo: Courtesy of Kits for Kids