Sharpen your senses: 

Easy activities for right outside your door 

 

After a long days work, it can be hard to find time for an outdoor activity and make sure everyone is fed, showered, and ready for bed.  But you don't have to go to a park or even get in your car to provide meaningful outdoor activities for your child.  All you have to do is look closely right outside your door.  Below are some ideas for activities you can do around your home that will help your child (and you!!) develop a keen sense of observation:

 

(These ideas and more at http://takeachildoutside.org)

A Nature Walk for Imaginary Ants



http://anthropology.ua.edu/blogs/eliseduffield/

Best age range: 3-year-olds and up
Location: anywhere, but a natural area such as backyard or park is the best
Best time: day
Season: any
Special materials: six short sticks or toothpicks
What to do: Select a small area on the ground, about a yard square. With your child, pretend to shrink down to the size of ants. Give your child six short sticks or toothpicks and ask him or her to lead an ant-sized nature walk, using the toothpicks to mark six interesting things along the way. Encourage your child to use his or her imagination. Invite a friend on the next tour!

Nature Bracelet

Best age range: 3-year-olds and up
Location: backyard or where the collection of small non-living objects is permitted
Best time: day
Special materials: masking tape (2”-wide tape is preferred)
What to do: Remove a length of tape that will wrap around your or your child’s wrist. Wrap the tape around your wrist with the sticky side up (facing away from your skin). As you walk around the yard or park, pick up small things and see if they stick to your bracelet—flower petals, small fallen leaves, sand and seeds work well. Save bracelets from previous walks and compare them through the seasons.

Trees and Leaves

Best age range: all ages, especially upper elementary and older
Location: any area with trees
Best time: day
Season: all
Special materials: bags for collecting leaves, journal, optional: camera and tree identification book
What to do: Walk outside! How many trees do you see? Are they all the same? What is different about them? Compare the leaves, bark, flowers, buds — everything you notice. Collect the different leaves you find or take pictures. Press the leaves in a book or journal. Optional Extension: Use a field guide to identify the trees. Can you identify them by leaves, bark and twigs? If you having trouble identifying the trees, take some leaves to a local nature center, park, arboretum or natural science museum.