 GO OUTSIDE AND PLAY!
Unstructured outside time for exploration, imagination and child directed activity is important and valuable. It leads to development in cognition, emotional, social and
physical skills. It has also been demonstrated to reduce stress and foster creativity. Children today create these imaginary experiences electronically, but have limited
exposure to nature in the real world. The need is urgent to reverse the growing trend to disassociate our children from the great outdoors. While creative computer games
certainly play a part in the lifestyle of today's children, the wonder that we all experienced as children has been lost to this generation of youth.
Children's Outdoor Bill of Rights
- Camp under the stars
- Catch and release fish, frogs and insects
- Celebrate the natural environment
- Climb a tree
- Discover prairies, dunes, forests, savannas and wetlands
- Explore nature in neighborhoods and cities
- Follow a trail
- Plant a flower
- Play in the mud
GREAT IDEAS TO ENCOURAGE YOUR BUDDING BOTANIST! Nature activities for children and families
- Create a nature wonder jar
Keep a mason jar handy to hold all your collected treasures from time spent
outdoors. They can be easily admired and removed for study and investigation.
Having a few source books on hand is a plus. Or use the Internet to learn more about your finds.
- Create a nature journal
A simple notebook or discarded photo album can be the beginning of a great collection of natural wonder. Draw, sketch, nature prints, notes on what you've
seen and experienced are a good beginning. Keeping a Nature Journal by Clare Walker Leslie and Charles E Roth is an excellent resource for ideas.
- Dig a backyard pond
If you have limited space establish a water garden on a porch or patio. Many home improvement centers sell plastic liners for this purpose. Plants are
available at area nurseries. Add a few goldfish and a small pump to control mosquitoes. You'll be amazed at the wildlife you will attract. Frogs will be frequent visitors or new neighbors.
- Go for a walk
It's as simple as that. In your neighborhood, a local park, a nature preserve. Look around you, take note of the wildlife, and look closely at the ground, what
can you see? Make a few notes, draw a picture, take a picture with a camera. Talk with your child about all you observe. If there are questions, use a filed guide to find answers.
- Go digital
Try wildlife photography. Digital cameras need not be fancy to capture the moment. Print your finds on inexpensive paper and glue them in your nature journal.
- Invite wildlife to your backyard
Add a birdbath to your garden or yard. Place a birdfeeder in a sheltered spot
and try different seeds. Keep a list of the birds you notice visiting your yard. Use as few chemicals as possible on your lawn and landscape.
FUN PROJECTS
- Nature Craft: Hammered Flower Print
You'll be surprised at how real flowers share their colors when you
hammer them onto fabric or paper! Click on the link below to download instructions for making your own print.
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- Coloring Page
Grab your crayons and make the Pink Lady's Slipper come to life! Just click on the link below
to download and print the page.
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- Tree Facts
Do you know what our State Tree is? Learn this and other fun facts about trees.
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