Spring is Here!!!

 

 

Start packing up those winter coats, and gear up for some outdoor fun. Happy first day of spring!

 

Here are some ideas for spring explorations:

 

1. Parents magazine has a great post for exploring nature with kids in the spring. Make a sifter from an embroidery hoop and collect critters from a nearby pond. Using an old sheet, set an animal print trap in your backyard and try to identify the prints. Set up a glass jar experiment to show plant respiration. Check out the post for these and other great ideas.

 

2. Start a garden with your kids. The Environmental Literacy Center in the Nature Research Center, downtown Raleigh, has a host of books on ways to involve your children in gardening projects. Examples include, 101 kid-friendly plants : fun plants and family garden projects by Cindy Krezel, Discover nature in the garden : things to know and things to do by Jim Conrad and Gardening with children by Monika Hannemann.

 

How to Create a Backyard Wildlife Habitat
Source: http://bit.ly/1007Wzg

3. Create a backyard wildlife habitat. Put out a birdbath and various kinds of bird feeders. Different birds are attracted to different types of food. Visit your local bird store to discuss the different types of feed. Consider planting species that attract birds and butterflies. NCSU has a website on plants for attracting birds, such as black-eyed susan, coneflower and zinnia. They also have a website for plants that attract butterflies such as aster, bee-balm and calendula.

 

4. Visit the Office of Environmental Education and Public Affairs calendar of events. It is loaded up right now with nature activities around the state. Stay tuned to the blog for highlights.