“Connecting Kids to Nature” Activity Pages

We are creating a series of kids activity pages based upon PLT activities for “non-educators” (e.g. parents and families) to engage their children, grandchildren, neighbors’ or friends’ children in the outdoors. The following activities are available and posted online at http://www.learnoutside.org/familyactivities.html:

Activity 22: Trees as Habitats From their leafy branches to their tangled roots, trees provide a habitat for a host of plants and animals. In this activity, children will inventory the plants and animals that live in, on, and around trees and discover how plants and animals depend on trees in many ways.

Activity 23: The Fallen Log It’s amazing how many things live in and on rotting logs. In this activity, kids become familiar with some of those organisms by observing fallen logs. They’ll gain an understanding of how decomposition takes place and a better appreciation for microhabitats and communities.

Activity 64: Looking at Leaves In this activity, children will take a closer look at leaves and find out more about leaf characteristics and how leaves can be used to identify plants.
Activity 65: Bursting BudsIn early spring, the tiny, bright green leaves of many trees burst forth. Where do the leaves come from? How do they form? In this activity, children will find the answers to these questions through observation and research.