Exploring Nature
1 - 3 years old
Color scavenger hunt: Pause here and there and ask "What colors do you see?"
Follow the tracks: What animals were here?
Look for shapes in nature: What shapes do I see?
Sensory play: Pick up a leaf. Touch the leaf or bark from a tree. How does it feel? When happens when you drop it?
What is that smell? Do you notice any new scents or smells?
What is that sound? Do I hear any sounds? What do they sound like? Can you make that sound?
4 - 6 years old
Color scavenger hunt: Pause here and there and ask "How many colors can you find?"
Follow the tracks: What animals were here?
Sensory play: Pick up a leaf. Touch the leaf or bark from a tree. How does it feel? Does it feel rough, smooth, hard or soft?
What is that smell? Do you notice any new scents or smells? Do all the leaves and flowers smell the same?
What is that sound? Do you hear any sounds? Where are the sounds coming from? Can you point to the source of the sounds?
7+ years old
Color scavenger hunt: Pause here and there and ask "How many different shades of green & brown can you find?"
Follow the tracks: What animals were here?
Sensory play: Pick up a leaf. Touch the leaf or bark from a tree. How does it feel? Does it feel rough, smooth, hard or soft?
What is that smell? What do the smells here remind you of? Which leaf or flower do you like the smell of? If you rub a leaf or flower, does it smell more strongly?
Look for unusual things in nature: Do you see anything unusual? Anything look like it does not belong? Do you see anything strange?
Listening Challenge: Can you sit still and silent for four minutes and just listen? How many sounds do you hear? Where are they coming from? What do you think is making each sound?