Nature Bingo
Concepts and skills: Observation of native species
Recommended ages: 6 and up
Materials:
Markers or stickers
What to do: Go outside and enjoy nature. Focus your observations by using a Nature Bingo card. Use a marker or sticker to mark your findings. Try to get four corners, five in a row, or fill the whole card!
Additional resources:
Photo Safari
Concepts and skills: Close observation skills, native species identification
Recommended ages: 9 and up
Materials:
Camera or phone with a camera
What to do: Explore any area outside, from your backyard to a nearby natural area. Observe what you see, including small details such as moss growing on a tree or flowers starting to grow. Take pictures of what you find. Older children may enjoy identifying some of their findings using field guides or the resources below.
Additional resources:
Native species identification resources
Planting
Concepts and skills: Problem-solving, scientific method, experimentation, observation
Recommended ages: 5 and up
Materials:
Paper towel
Soil (potting soil or from outside)
Seeds (from packets, dried beans, and/or seeds from fresh fruits and vegetables)
Zipper seal bags
Recycled plastic cups (such as yogurt containers)
Empty egg cartons, or other recycled materials to start your seeds (see article below for more information and suggestions)
What to do: Experiment with starting plants inside your own kitchen! You can experiment with different seeds and kitchen scraps to start growing plants. Experiment with what works best for different fruits and vegetables. With an adult’s help, use the resources below to research what is recommended for different vegetables. Try out different methods. What can you get to grow? Should you put the scrap or seed in water to start? Or in soil? Should you dry it before planting it?
Additional resources:
How to grow vegetables from kitchen scraps
How to make your own seed starter pots from household materials
Nature Art
Concepts and skills: Creativity, art, enjoying nature
Recommended ages: Great for the whole family!
Materials:
Paper
Glue
Glue sticks
Markers
Pencils
Colored pencils
Paint
Any other art supplies
Bag to collect natural materials
What to do: Go outside around where you live or in a park. First, make sure collecting natural materials is allowed in the area. Take a walk and collect natural materials to use for an art project. Make sure to respect nature while you are doing this by taking fallen or dead leaves or only picking a small amount that won’t harm the plant.
Once you have collected your supplies, use any art materials that you have at home to create nature art. Young children can focus on process art, while older children can create a finished art project.
Additional resources:
Nature Journal
Concepts and skills: Observation skills, communication, seasonal change
Recommended ages: 5 and up
Materials:
Notebook or paper and binding material (i.e. staples, yarn and hole punch, etc.)
Art materials (glue, glue sticks, markers, pencils, etc.)
What to do: Use a notebook you have at home or create your own using paper and staples or yarn. Decorate your nature journal. Go outside and enjoy nature near where you live or in a nearby park or natural area. Young children will enjoy collecting natural materials to glue in their notebook and can draw what they see. Older children can write about what they see.
Encourage children to notice changes as the seasons start to change. It works great to have children observe the same area over time as we move into spring. Encourage close observation but allow for your child to explore what they are interested in and to observe it closely.
Additional resources:
Michigan State Parks and Recreation Areas COVID-19 Information
Greater Lansing Parks, Trails, and Gardens
Sensory Walk
Concepts and skills: Sensory engagement, observation of the natural world, native species
Recommended ages: Great for the whole family!
Materials:
Optional: Magnifying glasses
Empty and clean recycled clear plastic jars to observe insects
Bug nets
What to do: Take a walk outside whether it is through your neighborhood, in a nearby park, or in a natural area. Encourage children to use their senses (except taste!) to observe nature. This is a great time to observe the seasons changing as you go for walks.
What do you see? What do you smell? What do you hear? What do you feel? (Please be safe when allowing children to touch things in nature and always supervise children. See link below for plants to avoid.)
Additional resources:
