Chia Pet facts for kids
 |
|
| Type | Terracotta figurine |
|---|---|
| Owner | Joseph Enterprises |
| Country | United States |
| Introduced | 1977 |
| Markets | International |
| Tagline | Watch It Grow! |
Chia Pets are fun terracotta (a type of clay) figurines. They are designed to sprout tiny chia seeds. When the seeds grow, they look like the animal's fur or hair. It usually takes a couple of weeks for the chia sprouts to appear. To make them grow, you put moistened chia seeds onto the grooved surface of the clay figure.
Contents
What is a Chia Pet?
A Chia Pet is a special kind of plant pot shaped like an animal or character. It's made from terracotta, which is a reddish-brown clay. The surface of the figurine has grooves. These grooves help the chia seeds stick and grow.
How Chia Pets Grow
First, you soak the chia seeds in water. Then, you spread the wet seeds onto the Chia Pet. The clay absorbs water, keeping the seeds moist. In a few days, tiny green sprouts start to appear. As they grow, they cover the figurine, making it look like it has green fur or hair.
The Story of Chia Pets
Chia Pets were created by a man named Joe Pedott. He owns a company called Joseph Enterprises. The idea for Chia Pets came to him after he visited Mexico. There, he saw artists in Oaxaca using sprouted chia seeds in their artwork.
When Chia Pets Started
The very first Chia Pet was made on September 8, 1977. Joe Pedott then started selling them in the United States. They became really popular in the 1980s. The first Chia Pet that many people bought was shaped like a ram. This ram Chia Pet was released in 1982.
The Famous Catchphrase
You might know the famous jingle from the Chia Pet TV commercials: "Ch-ch-ch-chia!". This catchy phrase came from a meeting where someone pretended to stutter the product's name. It became a well-known part of the commercials.
Where Chia Pets are Made
Originally, Chia Pets were made in Mexico. Today, they are produced in China. Many people still buy them, especially around the holiday season. In 2019, about 15 million Chia Pets were sold!
Different Kinds of Chia Pets
There are many different types of Chia Pets you can collect.
Animal Chia Pets
You can find Chia Pets shaped like many common animals. Some popular ones include turtles, pigs, puppies, kittens, frogs, and even hippos.
Character Chia Pets
Over the years, many famous cartoon characters have become Chia Pets. These include Garfield, Scooby-Doo, characters from Looney Tunes, Shrek, The Simpsons, and SpongeBob. There are also Chia Pets that look like real people, such as Barack Obama and Bob Ross.
Chia Seeds
Joseph Enterprises also sells replacement chia seeds. You can buy these if your Chia Pet needs new "hair." They also sell chia seeds in larger amounts as a healthy food supplement.
Images for kids
-
Alligator Chia Pet.jpg
An alligator Chia Pet
See also
In Spanish: Chia Pet para niños
