Go Explore Nature

Making Space for Outdoor Play

noreply@blogger.com (Debi) — Sat, 18 May 2013 04:33:00 +0000

At the beginning of 2013, I was invited to become a member of the Childhood 101 team. Every couple of months, I share something that’ll hopefully inspire parents to spend some time playing outside with their kiddos.

If you’re not familiar with Childhood 101 yet, go check it out! In a nutshell, “Childhood 101 is a place for all things ‘childhood’ because being a parent in this busy, modern-day world can be tough!” It’s an amazing space to share ideas for playing, learning and growing with kids. So far, I’ve written two posts:

Today I’m talking about making space for outdoor play in our rather urban, not-so-natural-feeling, smallish backyard (though the ideas work for bigger yards, too). I hope you’ll stop by! Read more at Childhood 101

How to Make Your Own Nature Scavenger Hunt

noreply@blogger.com (Debi) — Wed, 15 May 2013 18:04:00 +0000

Kids love hunting for treasures. Whether you’re exploring new trails, visiting a botanical garden, relaxing at the beach or enjoying a family walk around the neighborhood, a nature scavenger hunt is a simple way to add some fun to your adventure.

One of the best things about nature scavenger hunts is that you can create one for pretty much any setting in just a few minutes. Here are a few pointers to help you make your own nature scavenger hunt:

Choose a theme.
Themed nature scavenger hunts are often determined by location or season. A theme could also be as simple as colors or shapes.

Create a list.
Once you have a theme for your nature scavenger hunt, think of items you might be able to discover.

Include items that require kids to use multiple senses. That means you’ll want to by search for things to see, hear, smell and touch.

Include items that have kids looking both down on the ground as well as high up in the sky.

Provide a mix of easy-to-find and more challenging items.

Adapt as needed to keep the hunts age appropriate. Young kids can use cards with pictures instead of words – or even numbers or shapes.

Stick to 20 items or less.

Go hunting!
Don’t forget to bring along your scavenger hunt list and something to write with. Depending on where you go, a clipboard could also come in handy.

Then decide on a time limit and start the treasure hunt. If you have large groups or very young kids, consider creating teams.

Our only rule is that you don’t remove items from nature to collect as part of the hunt. The goal is simply to find as many items on your list in the time provided. (You can always snap a picture or create a sketch instead.)

Enjoy a prize, together.
Our nature scavenger hunts are never about who finds the most items, but more about sharing our discoveries together. We like to compare notes to see who found what for each item on our list.

If you want to end the hunt with a “prize,” consider a cup of hot chocolate if it’s cold out, or a glass of lemonade if it’s warm.

Nature scavenger hunt lists
Nature scavenger hunts are especially popular around here, so I thought I’d gather together those we’ve created, plus a few more just for fun. You can find even more on my scavenger hunts & nature walks Pinterest board.

Feel free to use these as a starting point for your own, adapting as needed for your family.

Themed scavenger hunts

Seasonal scavenger hunts

Photo scavenger hunts

Saturday Snapshot: Garden

noreply@blogger.com (Debi) — Sun, 12 May 2013 04:37:00 +0000

Welcome to “Saturday Snapshot,” a weekly feature that highlights photos we take as part of our seasonal nature photo scavenger hunts.

The List: The 2013 spring nature photo scavenger hunt (You can see our complete collection of #springnaturehunt photos on Instagram and Pinterest.)

The Find: Garden

The Story: There’s not much growing in our backyard garden (OK … nothing), but the school garden is an entirely different story. Love watching kids taste peas straight off the vine – and love them.

Book Review: Early Childhood Activities for a Greener Earth

noreply@blogger.com (Debi) — Mon, 06 May 2013 07:00:00 +0000

In honor of Earth Day, I dedicated much of April to sharing simple things kids can do to help the planet. I’m excited to be continuing that focus today with a look at a book that fits right in with the theme: Early Childhood Activities for a Greener Earth.

Early Childhood Activities for a Greener Earth features more than 100 classroom activities that are designed “to help children simply explore the environment and develop a sense of wonder, curiosity, and joy in nature.” The idea is that this lays the foundation for the later development of stewardship.

With a master’s degree in education and kids of her own, author Patty Born Selly knows what she’s talking about. She’s founder of Small Wonders, an educational consulting company that provides teacher training and support for science and nature education initiatives. (If any of this sounds remotely interesting, I highly recommend you check out her blog, Small Wonders.)

What’s inside Early Childhood Activities for a Greener Earth?
The 272-page book provides more than 100 classroom activities for kids to learn about and care for the Earth. Each chapter focuses on a common and important environmental topic followed by a set of activities designed for kids ages 3 to 8.

Each chapter focuses on a common and important environmental topic including waste reduction, recycling, air quality, weather, climate change and energy reduction.

Chapters provide a basic introduction to the problem and a set of activities for kids.

Each activity comes complete with: a brief description, age range, goals, National Science Education standards, age required materials and supplies, step-by-step procedure, safety notes, tips and ideas for connecting the activity to other disciplines.

Sample activities include found object mosaic, plant parts, float or sink, air is real, make a compass and muddy me. Of course, I’m partial to the chapter on exploring nature, with activities like a soil search, barefoot explorations and creating a wishing tree.

I love that the activities in Early Childhood Activities for a Greener Earth are so simple. In fact, many require no materials at all (except your senses, of course), or just a few. And the “Tips” provided with each activity provide good advice from someone who’s tried these activities before.

My only complaint is that while there are a few photos, they are black and white. I wish there were more color images or illustrations throughout.

Early Childhood Activities for a Greener Earth retails for $29.95.

How to use Early Childhood Activities for a Greener Earth in your own backyard
Although this book is geared toward early childhood educators working with groups of children, parents and caregivers might find it helpful, too.

You can use Early Childhood Activities for a Greener Earth to:

Quickly find an activity that’s right for your child’s age
Focus on a specific area of interest like weather, the garden or art
Enhance your homeschooling environmental education, nature or science curriculum
Plan ways to explore nature all summer long!

Get your copy of Early Childhood Activities for a Greener Earth now – for less!
Although I don’t have a copy of Early Childhood Activities for a Greener Earth to give away, I can let you in on a good deal.

Redleaf Press is offering a 30% discount from now through June 30, 2013. To take advantage of this deal, follow this link and enter the coupon code GREENEARTH.

Note: I received a free copy of Early Childhood Activities for a Greener Earth in exchange for providing my honest review with you here. Read my full disclosure policy for more information.

Saturday Snapshot: Sunshine

noreply@blogger.com (Debi) — Sat, 04 May 2013 07:00:00 +0000

Welcome to “Saturday Snapshot,” a weekly feature that highlights photos we take as part of our seasonal nature photo scavenger hunts.

The List: The 2013 Spring nature photo scavenger hunt (You can see our complete collection of #springnaturehunt photos on Instagram and Pinterest.)

The Find: Sunshine

The Story: We’ve been seeing quite a bit of this around here all week. Nothing reminds me more of spring as a kid than sunny days like this one spent at the ball field.

Saturday Snapshot: Butterfly

noreply@blogger.com (Debi) — Sat, 27 Apr 2013 07:00:00 +0000

Welcome to “Saturday Snapshot,” a weekly feature that highlights photos we take as part of our seasonal nature photo scavenger hunts.

The List: The 2013 Spring Nature Photo Scavenger Hunt (You can see our complete collection of #springnaturehunt photos on Instagram and Pinterest.)

The Find: Butterfly

The Story: This week we released four painted lady butterflies in our backyard. It was bittersweet to see them flutter off after having watched them grow from tiny caterpillars into chrysalides and eventually, into beautiful butterflies. Thankfully, this one posed for us before taking off.

7 Ways Kids Can Help Save Trees

noreply@blogger.com (Debi) — Wed, 24 Apr 2013 07:00:00 +0000

If you’re a fan of nature and the environment, you’re probably already doing things to take care of the planet – on Earth Day and every day. This month, I’ve shared ways kids (and families) can help protect wildlife and oceans. Today I’m focusing on ways kids can help save trees.

Forests cover almost a third of the Earth’s surface, including some 700+ million acres in the U.S. alone. They’re home to a huge variety of plants and animals, provide people all over the world with food, fuel, medicine and more.

But perhaps most important, forests provide us with oxygen and ensure that the Earth’s temperature is livable.

What can we do to return the favor? Here are a few simple ways kids can help save trees.

1. Use paper wisely.
We can save trees from being cut down by using less paper. How can kids help?

Make a space for reusable paper. Dedicate a spot in your home for paper that’s blank on one side. Then reuse it before you recycle it. Put the kids in charge!
Use scrap paper (preferably recycled, too) for coloring, drawing, sketching, etc.
Use both sides of paper (this one works great for homework).
Use cloth napkins.
Choose a reusable lunchbox instead of a paper bag, complete with reusable containers, metal utensils, a cloth napkin and a reusable water bottle.

2. Play and create with trash.
The Explorers love playing with cardboard boxes, empty toilet paper and paper towel rolls – even shoeboxes. Boxes can become forts and superhero headquarters, toilet paper rolls turn into binoculars and bird feeders, and paper towel rolls become spotting scopes and periscopes.

3. Borrow, share and donate books.
We read a lot around here, which translates into tons of books – and therefore lots of paper. The library is a great alternative to buying new, as are friends who are willing to swap books. Instead of holding on to books when your kids have outgrown them, donate them to a used bookstore, library or reading program.

4. Plant a tree.
Although planting trees is a popular Earth Day activity, fall is the season to plant trees and shrubs. Do your homework to make sure you pick the right tree for your space.

5. Visit the forest.
Our favorite way to pay homage to trees and forests is to spend time with them. Visit a local state or national park – many of which feature protected forest lands. During National Park week (April 20-28), admission to all 401 national parks is free.

6. Stay on the trails.
When you visit the forest, stay on marked trails. This will minimize your impact on wilderness areas, preserving them for future generations.

7. Get your Smokey on.
Remember Smokey the Bear? He’s still around, helping to prevent wildfires – which, by the way are one of the greatest threats to forests. Smokey’s message is worth repeating:

Only you can prevent wildfires,
Always be careful with fire,
Never play with matches or lighters,
Always watch your campfire, and
Make sure your campfire is completely out before leaving it.

Resources to Help Kids Discover More About Forests

Arbor Day Foundation
Discover the Forest
EcoKids (start with the tree planting basics)
Smokey the Bear

Plus, a few things I’ve written about trees here …

10 Ways Kids Can Play Among the Trees

noreply@blogger.com (Debi) — Mon, 22 Apr 2013 07:00:00 +0000

Happy Earth Day! I know this is the one official day the world celebrates the planet, but around here we’ve been celebrating all month long. So far, we’ve dedicated a week each to wildlife and oceans. This week: Forests.

If I had to pick a place in nature where I feel most at peace, it is among the trees. When I head to the forest and am surrounded by them, I feel at home. I am in awe of their strength, beauty and constancy.

So it just made sense to mark Earth Day by paying homage to the trees. Because thankfully, The Explorers have taking a liking to them, too. Here are 10 of our favorite ways to play among the trees.

1. Look up.
Can you see the top of the tree? How about the sky? Do you see any wildlife (or signs of wildlife)?

2. Splash in puddles.
Just because it’s fun!

3. Find your balance.
A fallen tree makes the perfect balance beam.

4. Ride a magic creature.
Trees can turn into all kinds of imaginary critters (like dragons!), capable of letting little explorers take flight.

5. Run wild.
If you’ve got a little room, let your young explorer “race” down a stretch of trail.

6. Become a tree detective.
Aspiring scientists will enjoy looking closely at tree bark and leaves to try identifying favorite trees. Or counting rings to determine a tree’s age.

7. Get artsy.
Make bark rubbings, leaf rubbings or crushed leaf mosaics.

8. See how you measure up.
Just how big are the trees you’re exploring? Can you get your arms around them or even hide in them? Don’t be afraid to let yourself feel small.

9. Climb a tree.
Look for one with low hanging branches to make climbing easier for little legs.

10. Hug a tree.
Do your arms make it all the way around the tree? How does it feel? Smell?

PLUS, a few more ideas for playing among the trees:

10 Ways to Engage Kids With Trees from Gardening 4 Kids
F is for Forest from Inspiration Laboratories
Tree Time: A Kids’ Guide to Tree Facts and Fun from The National Wildlife Federation

Your turn: How do your kids like to play among the trees?

Saturday Snapshot: Dandelion

noreply@blogger.com (Debi) — Sat, 20 Apr 2013 07:00:00 +0000

Welcome to “Saturday Snapshot,” a weekly feature that highlights photos we take as part of our seasonal nature photo scavenger hunts.

So far, we’ve spotted 10 of 30 items on the 2013 Spring nature photo scavenger hunt list. (You can see our complete collection of #springnaturehunt photos on Instagram and Pinterest.) How is your list coming along?

The Find: Dandelion

The Story: Earlier this month, The Little Explorer took this picture while we were snapping flower photos at the park.

Best Beaches for Families in Los Angeles

noreply@blogger.com (Debi) — Fri, 19 Apr 2013 07:00:00 +0000

We’re fortunate to live about 15 minutes from the beach in Los Angeles. During winter and spring, we spend a fair amount of time enjoying favorite beach spots and finding new ones. We love Los Angeles beaches because they offer the chance to hike, picnic and explore tide pools.

These are some of the best beaches for families in Los Angeles that we’ve discovered so far.

EL MATADOR STATE BEACH (Malibu)
Visit during low tide and El Matador State Beach is great for bird watching, sand play, tide pool fun and cave exploring. Just be sure to check the tides before you go; arrive during hide tide and the beach will be inaccessible.

What kids will like: Enjoy a picnic in a sea cave during low tide. Then explore the rocks and shoreline; the marine life is teeming here.

LEO CARRILLO STATE PARK (Malibu)
Leo Carrillo State Park has 1.5 miles of beach with tide pools, coastal caves and reefs worth exploring. This is a popular spot, so avoid visits on holidays and weekends if possible.

What kids will like: The huge expanse of sand allows for plenty of beach play fun. Visit during low tide to explore some of the best tide pools in the area.

MALIBU LAGOON STATE BEACH (Malibu)
The Malibu Lagoon State Beach area includes the premier surfing spot Surfrider Beach, the famous Malibu Pier, the Adamson House (a National Historic Site featuring Malibu historical artifacts) and the Malibu Lagoon Museum. The Lagoon itself (which is being restored at the moment) features wetlands, flower gardens and a sandy beach.

What kids will like: The docent-led birding tours are a family favorite. Visit at low tide and you can do some tide pool exploring, too.

PARADISE COVE (Malibu)
The Paradise Cove beach is pristine, the tide pool discoveries plentiful and the views beyond magnificent – especially on a clear, sunny day. The downside? Parking is a whopping $25. To avoid the hefty fee, spend at least $20 at the Café and you pay only $3 for 4 hours on the beach.

What kids will like: Eating lunch on the beach (we take food out from the Café’s to-go window and eat right on the beach). Plenty of opportunity for bird watching and wave chasing, too.

POINT DUME STATE BEACH (Malibu)
Point Dume features cliffs, rocky coves and vast beach access. It’s also a perfect place to watch for California gray whales during the winter migration. Views from the top of the cliff are unbeatable.

What kids will like: The 1 mile round-trip trail to the lookout at Point Dume is kid-friendly and well worth the effort. Bring a picnic lunch and enjoy the view. You might even spot a whale or dolphins.

SANTA MONICA STATE BEACH (Santa Monica)
Santa Monica State Beach stretches some three miles along the Santa Monica Bay. This iconic beach features a ton of attractions, including a bike path, the Santa Monica Pier, six parks, the Annenberg Community Beach House and the Santa Monica Pier Aquarium. We’re partial to Ocean Park, a fun spot with a play structure and swings that’s right across from a great stretch of beach.

What kids will like: Santa Monica State Beach is littered with families just about any time of the year. And with reason – there’s a pint-sized aquarium, a pier complete with a carousel and carnival rides galore, a video arcade and more.

Your turn: What’s your favorite beach for families in Los Angeles?

Children's Books About the Ocean and Marine Life

noreply@blogger.com (Debi) — Thu, 18 Apr 2013 05:39:00 +0000

One of the first ways many kids learn about the ocean and marine life is through books. We read to learn about places close by and far away. We read to learn about favorite marine animals and those we’ve never seen before. And we read to learn things we can do to help our oceans.

Here are some of our favorite children’s books about the ocean and marine life.

I Love Whales & Dolphins by Steve Parker
Ages: 6+
This book provides a great introduction to several types of whales and dolphins. We especially enjoy the detailed illustrations and “fast fact” format.

Diving Dolphin by Karen Wallace
Ages: 5 to 7 years
This “Beginning to Read” title from DK Publishing tells what life is like for young dolphins. We like the color photographs.

Over in the Ocean: In a Coral Reef by Marianne Berkes
Ages: 3+
A counting book featuring several animals that live in a coral reef. What we love most about this one are the illustrations – each if which is created entirely of polymer clay, then photographed to create a 3D effect.

Planet Earth: Deep Ocean Creatures by Lisa-Ryan Herndon
Ages: 4 to 8 years
We have a bit of a fascination with the deep ocean and its inhabitants (like comb jellies, angler fish and the vampire squid). This book is one of the first we’ve found on the topic. It features simple text and incredible full-color photography.

Sticker Encyclopedia: Ocean by DK Publishing
Ages: 5+
More than just a sticker book, DK’s Sticker Encyclopedia: Ocean includes stickers and information about everything under the sea – from dolphins and whales to shells and sea anemone.

Sharks & Other Ocean Predators Sticker Book by Gordon Volke
Ages: 3+
This book is all about the different types of predators that can be found in the ocean’s various zones. Combines the fun of stickers with realistic color illustrations to create a handy resource.

The Octonauts Explore the Great Big Ocean by Meomi
Ages: 3+
We are huge fans of The Octonauts television show and all of the books. Who are The Octonauts? A crew of animals who love to explore the ocean. From their underwater base, the Octopod, the eight intrepid friends meet all kinds of marine critters – teaching kids tons about them in the process.

The Wonder Book of the Seashore by Cynthia Iliff Koehler
Ages: 3+
This is a vintage title from 1962, handed down to me by my dad and now on to my kids. The book tells of an adventure by the shore and the marine plants and animals that call it home. We like it for the illustrations, which are life-like and labeled – making it our go-to guide for tide pool identifications.

PLUS: A few books suggested by readers like you!
I asked Facebook fans of GoExploreNature.com to share their child’s favorite books about ocean and marine life. Here’s what some of you suggested there and in the comments below:

A Whale of a Tale!: All About Porpoises, Dolphins, and Whales (Cat in the Hat’s Learning Library) by Bonnie Worth (submitted by Blog Me Mom)

Chessie, The Travelin’ Man by Randy Houk (submitted by Anna M.)

Commotion in the Ocean by Giles Andreae (submitted by Jerri D.)

Flotsam by David Wiesner (submitted by Exploring Portland’s Natural Areas)

The Mousehole Cat by Antonia Barber (submitted by Victoria H.)

What the Sea Saw by Stephanie St. Pierre (submitted by Laurie B.)

Over on the Beach Chair Scientist blog, there’s another great list of ocean-themed books worth a look: What is your favorite ocean-themed children’s book?

And introducing … Sea Urchins Magazine
I recently met UK-based Samantha Hewitt (online, that is), creator of Sea Urchins magazine. Samantha is a marine biologist and Padi diving instructor who’s passionate about inspiring kids to love the ocean and nature.

She took that passion and created Sea Urchins, an ocean magazine especially for kids. Each issue is packed with ocean facts, photos, games, cartoons and more. There’s an emphasis on what kids can do to protect the oceans and marine animals, too.

We were excited to take a sneak peek at a magazine for kids that’s dedicated specifically to ocean life. The full-color issue we reviewed featured tons of great photos, but even The Big Explorer felt is was a little hard to read – perhaps because there’s a lot of small print packed onto each page. The somewhat high-level content is best suited to older school-age kids with a special interest in oceans.

Sea Urchins is available in multiple digital formats or even via snail mail (via seaurchinsmag@gmail.com). Head to Sea Urchins for pricing details and more.

Your turn: What’s your child's favorite book about the oceans and marine life?

6 Things Kids Can Do to Help Our Oceans

noreply@blogger.com (Debi) — Wed, 17 Apr 2013 04:54:00 +0000

As part of my month-long celebration of Earth Day, today I’m sharing things kids can do to help our oceans. (In case you missed it, last week was all about wild animals.) Later this week we’ll talk about ocean-themed books, then finish up with a list of the best beaches for families in Los Angeles.

Whether you live by the coast like we do or you’re miles from the nearest ocean, there are still things kids can do to protect a favorite beach (as well as a local river) and the animals that call it home.

1. Learn more about oceans and marine life.
The more kids learn about the issues facing the world’s oceans and the animals who call them home, the more they’ll want to help ensure their health. Read books, visit aquariums and head out to see the oceans for yourself.

2. Keep local water clean.
Talk about what happens to the litter that finds its way into the gutters along your street. Even young kids can understand a simple explanation of where water goes when it leaves your yard. Bottom line: Don’t litter.

3. Take a litter cleanup walk at the beach.
Don’t just clean up after yourself when you visit the beach. Bring along a trash bag and go on a litter cleanup walk.

4. Don’t interfere with the wildlife.
If you see a marine animal in distress or injured, do not approach, touch, pick up, feed or pour water on the animal. Instead, keep your distance and call a local wildlife center for help.

If you’re exploring a reef or tide pools, don’t poke at things, pull them off rocks or remove them from the water. And tread lightly – many rocks are covered with live mussels, barnacles or other marine life.

5. Turn water off when you don’t need it.
Using too much water is wasteful. Kids can use less by turning off the faucet when they brush teeth and taking brief showers. When you overuse water outside, it helps move trash to the ocean, so be responsible when watering and using the hose.

6. Get your own reusable water bottle.
Plastics that end up as ocean debris are a real problem for marine animals, destroying their habitat and worse.

Even though kids don’t necessarily control the products their parents buy, they can make some small changes to protect marine animals. Opt for reusable water bottles instead of plastic ones. Use non-disposable containers in lunch boxes. And recycle whenever possible – even if it means bringing items home from school to dispose of them in recyclable containers at home.

Your turn: What’s one small way your kids are helping our oceans?

Saturday Snapshot: Ladybug

noreply@blogger.com (Debi) — Sat, 13 Apr 2013 07:00:00 +0000

Welcome to “Saturday Snapshot,” a weekly feature that highlights photos we take as part of our seasonal nature photo scavenger hunts.

Spring is just three weeks old, so if you haven’t starting playing along with the 2013 Spring nature photo scavenger hunt yet, there’s still plenty of time! Look for our complete collection of #springnaturehunt photos on Instagram and Pinterest.

The Find: Ladybug

The Story: Last week The Big Explorer came home from school with these guys (given to him as part of an entomology unit on life cycles). After housing them for a few days, we released them onto the roses in our front yard.

DIY Animal Photo Book

noreply@blogger.com (Debi) — Fri, 12 Apr 2013 07:00:00 +0000

When The Big Explorer started kindergarten some four years back, we created a nature ABC book. It was a simple way to combine his growing interest in letters and words with the time we spent outside in nature.

With The Little Explorer set to start kindergarten himself this fall, we’ve been talking about what kind of book he wanted to make. His choice? An animal photo book using pictures we’ve gathered during our numerous nature adventures.

If you’d like to create your own animal photo book, here’s what you’ll need:

Camera
Photos of animals (we chose from ones we’ve seen in real life, but images from books, magazines or even those online could work, too)
Printer and photo paper, or a printing service
Tape or photo mounts
Photo album (to save money, use white or colored paper bound together with a loose-leaf ring)
Pens or colored pencils

To make your own animal photo book:

Visit places with lots of animals. A zoo, aquarium, farm or wildlife rescue center are good places to start. Don’t worry about trying to capture all your images at once; it’s more fun to continue the project by visiting several different places.

Add pictures of backyard and neighborhood critters. Our animal photo book includes several backyard birds and insects. We also added animals we saw during our nature travels.

After selecting your photos, print them out. Use your own printer or a printing service. It cost us less than $4 to print out all the photos we used in our book.

Place your photos in an album. I bought a “special” photo album just for the occasion – one that’s more scrapbook than photo album. That allowed us to write in our own text, plus add pages in the future if needed. You could opt to create a digital photo book online if you prefer.

Add details as desired. This was my favorite part – capturing The Little Explorer’s early letters. He decided he only wanted to include animal names, but there’s room to add in more details later if he changes his mind. Ideas: Where we saw the animal and when, what the animal eats and an interesting fact or two.

Enjoy! Our DIY animal photo book is a current favorite for bedtime stories. The Little Explorer was so excited, he shared it will all his preschool friends, too!

Create a Wildlife Habitat in Your Yard

noreply@blogger.com (Debi) — Wed, 10 Apr 2013 07:00:00 +0000

Earlier this week, I shared six things kids can do to help wild animals. One idea: To create a wildlife habitat in your yard.

If you have no idea what that means – or feel overwhelmed at the prospect of having to create some kind of fancy garden in your backyard – don’t panic.

The National Wildlife Federation (NWF) has got you covered. Here’s the Cliff Notes version of how to create a wildlife-friendly garden space, plus a few ways kids can get involved:

Provide food.
While adding bird feeders is one way to provide food for birds, planting native plants, shrubs and trees is even better! Not only will you be inviting birds to your yard, but butterflies, bees and lots of other wildlife as well.

Not sure what a “native” is? Do some research to learn more about what plants are native to your area (you can start here). Then head to a native plant nursery and consult with an expert.

How kids can help: Make a birdfeeder. And learn more about native plants on a tour of a local nursery.

Supply water.
While a fountain or pond will certainly attract more birds to your yard, it doesn’t have to be that complicated. Place a shallow dish a little above ground level and you’ve made a birdbath! Make sure the water is no more than an inch deep. And change the water every few days.

How kids can help: Charge the kids with keeping the water source clean and filled.

Create cover.
Wildlife need places to go to feel safe from people (and kids!), predators and harsh weather. Think ground cover, a wooded area, rock piles, evergreens and birdhouses. If you’re not sure what counts as cover, ask at your local native plant nursery.

How kids can help: Different types of birds prefer different types of homes in different locations around the yard. Build a birdhouse that’s appropriate for the birds in your yard.

Give wildlife a place to raise their young.
What’s important here is that you provide a place for wildlife to not only prepare for their young, but to care for them through to adulthood. Things such as mature trees, a wildflower garden and birdhouses do the trick – provided they are appropriate for your local wildlife.

How kids can help: Plant a wildflower garden that includes sources of food for caterpillars and butterflies.

Think you’ve got a wildlife habitat in your yard?
The NWF invites you to become an official Certified Wildlife Habitat®. To find out exactly how to qualify – and for loads more information about how to create a wildlife habitat in your yard – head to the National Wildlife Federation.

And if you’re just getting started …
Don’t worry about having to do everything all at once! Creating a wildlife habitat in your yard takes time, so aim to complete one item on the list each year (more if you’re feeling ambitious).

We can only check two of the above steps off the list above.
How about you – how do you help welcome wildlife to your yard?

6 Things Kids Can Do to Help Wild Animals

noreply@blogger.com (Debi) — Mon, 08 Apr 2013 07:00:00 +0000

As part of my month-long celebration of Earth Day (April 22), I’ll be sharing ideas this week about things kids can do to help wild animals.

When it comes to talk of kids and wild animals, the first thing that pops into my mind is the idea that most kids know more about endangered animals that live in far-off places they might never see than they do about the wild creatures in their own backyard.

I’d like to see that change.

There are plenty of ideas for things kids can do to help wild animals; I’ve chosen to focus on a few that I think kids 10 and under can try.

1. Learn more about the wild animals in your area.
Become a wildlife explorer! Learn about the most common wild animals in your city. Local wildlife preserves, petting zoos, rescue centers and zoos may be a good place to start – many offer programs for kids. Read books about animals, too. Then spend time observing them in your backyard and beyond.

2. Create a wildlife habitat in your backyard.
Create a wildlife habitat in your yard by planting native flowers, trees and bushes (those that are original to your area). These can give local wild animals a place to hide, eat and even nest. Birdbaths and bird feeders further support local birds.

3. Leave wild animals in the wild.
If you spot an animal at the park, on the trail or near a water source, let it be. These animals need to stay in their home environment to survive. Take a picture instead.

4. Don’t feed wild animals human food.
Wild animals can actually get sick from eating human food (I’m looking at you, people feeding the ducks at the park). Not only is it dangerous to get too close to wild animals, it also creates a dependency on humans that’s no good for anyone.

5. Be respectful of the environment.
Pick up litter (food scraps and more), which attracts wildlife onto roadways, putting them in harm’s way. Recycling paper (and using less) protects trees, which provide food and shelter to many wild animals. And turning off lights reduces electricity, which comes from power plants that pollute the environment that wild animals depend on for survival.

6. Know how to care for injured wildlife in your area.
Unless an animal appears injured or in distress, there may be no need to rescue it. Signs that an animal needs your help include bleeding, a broken limb, shivering or a dead parent nearby. If you find abandoned or injured wildlife, call your local wildlife rehabilitation center, a local animal shelter, an animal control agency or a nature center to find out what to do.

Resources to Help Kids Discover More About Wild Animals

Audubon Society
Found an Orphaned or Injured Baby Wild Animal?, The Humane Society of the United States
National Geographic Kids
The National Wildlife Federation

Plus, a few things I’ve written about kids and wild animals here …

Saturday Snapshot: Bee

noreply@blogger.com (Debi) — Sat, 06 Apr 2013 07:00:00 +0000

Welcome to “Saturday Snapshot,” a new feature that highlights photos we take as part of our seasonal nature photo scavenger hunts.

Have you been seeing signs of spring in your neck of the woods? The 2013 Spring nature photo scavenger hunt is a fun way to focus in on how spring is unfolding where you live. Come join the fun! Look for our complete collection of #springnaturehunt photos on Instagram and Pinterest.

The Find: Bee

The Story: The California poppies are out in full force at The Arboretum, one of our favorite L.A. garden spots. This bee just happened to come along and pose for me as I was busy photographing the flowers.

Backyard Nature Fun: Take Flower Photos

noreply@blogger.com (Debi) — Fri, 05 Apr 2013 07:00:00 +0000

Earlier this week, I introduced you to The Kids’ Outdoor Adventure Book. It provides some 448 great things to do in nature before you grow up. I thought it’d be fun to give one a try. Thankfully, The Little Explorer obliged.

We went a little nuts and picked not a spring activity, but a summer one: Take flower photos.

It’s got an adventure scale rating of 2 (which means even nature newbies should enjoy it). The instructions are pretty straightforward:

“You don’t have to have a fancy camera to get good flower pictures … Lots of cameras even have a flower setting you can choose. Try all different angles and distances to get the best shot.”

I gave The Little Explorer the choice of using one of two usually off-limit devices: my iPhone or my compact digital camera. He opted for the iPhone and off we went.

Even though The Little Explorer is only 4, he enjoyed experimenting as he snapped his flower photos. Which means your kids might, too. A few things to try:

Take photos from one distance, then zoom in or move closer and take another. Which do you like better?

Take one photo with the sun behind you, another with it in front. What happens?

Try taking photos in different positions – like up high looking down or down low looking up. The Little Explorer even climbed a tree for one shot.

And if you’re wondering what to do once you’ve taken all those flower photos, why not …

Create a flower photo album.
Try to identify the flowers you photographed.
Choose a favorite flower and create a picture, sketch or painting of it.
Make up a story about one of the flowers and your child.

Book Review: The Kids' Outdoor Adventure Book

noreply@blogger.com (Debi) — Wed, 03 Apr 2013 07:00:00 +0000

The idea behind The Kids’ Outdoor Adventure Book: 448 Great Things to Do in Nature Before You Grow Up came from the best possible source: A kid. A 9 year old who had created a list of things he wanted to do before he became an adult. But it wasn’t just any list; it was a checklist for nature.

Inspired by this list, authors Stacy Tornio and Ken Keffer started making one of their own. The result? Some 448 ideas they eventually turned into The Kids’ Outdoor Adventure Book.

If you’ve spent any time around here, you know this book is right up my alley. Simple ideas for getting kids outside and connected with nature? Yes, please!

What’s inside The Kids’ Outdoor Adventure Book?
The 224-page book is organized by season and filled with tons of ideas for getting kids outside and into nature. In fact, there is more than one activity for every single day of the year. Each season features:

50 checklist items: Each item has an adventure rating from 1 being easiest to 5 being hardest.

50 challenge items: These are ideas to help you dig a little deeper into nature.

3 projects: Complete with estimated times and suggested ages.

3 destinations: Places to explore nature beyond your backyard (think zoos, beaches and nature centers).

3 garden recipes: Featuring techniques to make the most of your backyard harvest.

3 outdoor games: Highlights classic childhood games like Duck, Duck, Goose and Marco Polo.

Ideas are simple and instructions are easy to understand. Although many of these are things we’ve tried before, the “challenge” ideas offer a way for us to do something in a different way.

Sprinkled throughout are tips and tricks and plenty of additional resources, plus whimsical color illustrations.

My only gripes with The Kids’ Outdoor Adventure Book may be more a matter of location than anything else. Several of the activities aren’t things we have access to in our backyard. For instance, Spring’s Checklist includes “catch a frog or toad” and “find antlers in the woods” – neither of which we can do easily right outside our door. And the majority of Winter Checklist items require snow, which we do not have.

The Kids’ Outdoor Adventure Book retails for $18.95.

How to use The Kids’ Outdoor Adventure Book in your own backyard
You don’t have to read The Kids’ Outdoor Adventure Book cover to cover. Just turn to the appropriate season and pick something fun to try.

The ideas are designed for kids 13 and under to do with their family. Most require no special supplies and should be things you can do right in your own backyard.

You can gauge how adventurous an activity might be by factoring in its “Adventure Scale” rating – 1 for nature newbies, 5 for experienced outdoor lovers.

Win a copy of The Kids’ Outdoor Adventure Book
Although I don’t have a copy of The Kids’ Outdoor Adventure Book to give away here, you’ve still got a chance to win one!

Authors Stacy and Ken are joining up with CLIF Kid as judges for their third annual Backyard Game of the Year contest. They’re also giving away a box of CLIF Kid ZBars and a signed copy of The Kids’ Outdoor Adventure Book to five lucky winners. Head here for more details. Contest runs through April. Good luck!

Note: I received a free copy of The Kids’ Outdoor Adventure Book in exchange for providing my honest review with you here. Read my full disclosure policy for more information.

Earth Day Activities for Kids

noreply@blogger.com (Debi) — Mon, 01 Apr 2013 07:00:00 +0000

I usually like to kick off each month around here with some ideas for getting the kids outside and into nature throughout the month.

But April is special because it includes Earth Day (April 22) – a day dedicated around the world to environmental activities and celebrations.

Of course, I’m a firm believer that Earth Day isn’t just one day. Or even one month. Caring for the planet is something we need to be doing every. single. day.

To that end, beginning next week, I’ll be dedicating one week each to wild animals, oceans and forests. And all month long, I’ll feature ideas and activities that will (hopefully!) inspire you and your kids to make a difference for our planet.

Throughout April, I’ll also be scouring the web for ways families can celebrate Earth Day – as well as ways to help kids learn more about their role in protecting the planet. Here are just a few things I’ve discovered so far.

Online Resources

6 Family Friendly Earth Day Activities from Working Mother
6 Things Kids Can Do to Help Our Oceans
6 Things Kids Can Do to Help Wild Animals
7 Ways Kids Can Help Save Trees
10 Things Kids Can Do to Help the Earth, a free, 10-page downloadable packet from Kids Discover Magazine (you’ll need access to Facebook for this one)
10 Ways Kids Can Play Among the Trees
A Teen's Top Tips for Recycling and Reuse by Slow Family Online
Climate Kids from NASA
Create a Wildlife Habitat in Your Yard
How to Celebrate Earth Day from Nurture Store
How to Raise Kids Who Care About the Planet
How Your Family Can Live a Greener Lifestyle Now from BonbonBreak
Simple Ways to Celebrate Earth Day With Your Family from Mom on Timeout
Teaching Kids to Conserve Water from KC Edventures
Teaching our children to respect wildlife from Adventurous Moms
And check out my Earth Day board on Pinterest for more ideas, which are continually updated

Books

365 Ways to Live Green for Kids: Saving the Environment at Home, School or at Play – Every Day! by Sheri Amsel
Children’s Books About the Ocean and Marine Life
Kids Books and Websites to Celebrate Earth Day, by KCEdventures
The New 50 Simple Things Kids Can Do to Save the Earth, by Sophie Javna
True Green Kids: 100 Things You Can Do to Save the Planet, by Kim McKay & Jenny Bonnin

Of course, my feeling is that getting kids outside and connected to nature is the most important thing we can do to encourage them to protect the environment. So there will be plenty of talk about that, too.

If you’ve got something to add to the list, leave a comment below!

Saturday Snapshot: Roadrunner

noreply@blogger.com (Debi) — Sat, 30 Mar 2013 16:00:00 +0000

Welcome to “Saturday Snapshot,” a new feature which highlights photos we take as part of our seasonal nature photo scavenger hunts.

In case you missed it, the 2013 Spring nature photo scavenger hunt has begun. If you’d like to play along, we’d love to have you! Look for our complete collection of #springnaturehunt photos on Instagram and Pinterest.

The Find: Bird

The Story: We spotted tons of desert birds during our spring break getaway to Palm Desert earlier this week. But the roadrunner – which we spotted at The Living Desert – was our clear favorite.

The Living Desert

noreply@blogger.com (Debi) — Sat, 30 Mar 2013 06:00:00 +0000

During our recent spring break getaway, we managed a stop in the desert – Palm Desert, that is. After a day spent at Joshua Tree National Park (more on that later), we wanted to get up close and personal with desert wildlife. So we carved out some time to visit The Living Desert.

The Living Desert promises “a wildlife adventure through the deserts of the world.” To this end, the park is divided into two parts: North America and Africa. Each features not just desert animals and aviaries, but native gardens as well.

But The Living Desert is more than a collection of exhibits. It is also a nature preserve. In fact, more than 1,000 of its 1,200 acres are undisturbed Sonoran Desert, including a series of nature trails visitors can access during their stay.

We’ve spent a fair amount of time at zoos and I would be remiss if I didn’t mention two things that really stood out for us about The Living Desert.

The animals seemed more active and alert than any we’ve seen at other zoos. In fact, we watched a diamondback snake strike at its neighbor snake in the reptile and invertebrate house. (Thankfully, no snakes were harmed during this encounter.)

The exhibits don’t just look natural; they feel natural, too. Take the bighorn sheep hanging out at Bighorn Mountain. No fake-colored, faux rocks here – this is the real deal. Then there were the numerous animals we spotted slumbering in their dens, thanks to a peek-in-window feature I’ve never seen before.

We also liked that many of the residents of The Living Desert are common to the area but hard to see up close. This includes the aforementioned diamondback, a roadrunner, ravens, red-tailed hawks, peregrine falcons – even a badger. The African faves (giraffes, camels, cheetah and ostriches) were merely icing on the cake.

5 Fun Things to Do at the Living Desert With Kids

Catch a show to learn more about zoo residents from the experts.
Tour the Wildlife Hospital & Conservation Center. It’s free and you can drop in any time.
Ride the carousel – because it’s fun!
Get up-close with the animals by watching the giraffes eat, riding camels or visiting the petting kraal.
Go on a nature walk. Choose from more than 20 gardens and several nature trails.

Practical Matters

Check The Living Desert web site for updated hours, pricing & special events
The Living Desert is part of the Association of Zoos and Aquariums, so ask about discounts if you have a membership at another AZA-accredited zoo
The shuttle stops at 11 locations throughout the park; drivers announce what to see & do at every stop. Tickets available at the entrance or from the drivers
Mixture of paved & dirt paths, all seem stroller friendly
Lots of covered (shaded) spots to rest throughout the park
Plenty of restrooms located conveniently throughout the park
There are a few restaurants, plus picnic tables if you opt to bring your own
Free parking
Palm Desert can obviously get quite warm (especially in the summer), so plan to arrive early & bring plenty of water, hats & sunscreen – umbrellas aren’t a bad idea, either
Allow 3 to 4 hours for your visit

The Living Desert is located at:
47900 Portola Ave.
Palm Desert, CA 92260
(760) 346-5694

Note: This review is based on my family's personal experience. We did not receive any incentive to visit, nor any compensation for sharing my opinions. Read my full disclosure policy for more information.

9 Ideas for Nature-Based Learning at the Zoo

noreply@blogger.com (Debi) — Thu, 28 Mar 2013 05:26:00 +0000

When The Explorers were younger (read: sitting in a stroller), our visits to the zoo tended to focus primarily on identifying and naming critters. These days, we do a whole lot more than that.

In spite of the fact that I’m not formally trained as a classroom educator, I’ve figured out a few ways to turn our visits into fun learning opportunities that extend well beyond our time at the zoo.

Here are a few of my tips for sneaking in some nature-based learning at the zoo:

1. Take advantage of educational presentations.
These are designed with families (and kids) in mind. Whether it’s an animal feeding or a talk, these give us a chance to get up close and personal with a zoo resident. Plus, we can usually ask questions (and we love that!).

2. Go on an animal scavenger hunt.
Jot down a list of animals you think you might see during your visit, then see how many you can find. If you’re not sure what you might see, focus on certain traits instead, like “an animal from Africa” or “an animal that swims.”

3. Focus on one group of animals.
This works well if you visit the same zoo often. We’ll go to our local zoo one day to spend time with just the amphibians and reptiles, another to check out the petting zoo. More focused visits allow time for hanging out a bit at each exhibit.

4. Ask questions!
Some zoos have educators on hand at exhibits. Other times, I’m the one posing questions to The Explorers – anything age-appropriate to help them engage with what they’re seeing in front of them.

5. Challenge kids to learn one new thing.
Those signs outside the exhibits can be helpful, but aren’t required. Sometimes just watching closely will do the trick. The Little Explorer recently discovered that roadrunners are birds, but don’t fly – which explains why they’re so fast on their feet. The Big Explorer had written a report on peregrine falcons earlier this year, but finally saw one eating at a zoo.

6. Allow for creativity.
Some kids like to draw, sketch or write about their experiences. Find a comfy spot during your visit to do just that.

7. Make real-world connections.
We discuss life cycles a ton these days since we’re such huge fans of insects. We also talk about where animals fall in their respective food chains and how human actions impact their place in the world. We want to know if there’s something we could be doing to help.

8. Play a silly animal game.
Some kids like to pretend to be animals. We play the question game: One of us thinks of an animal we saw during our visit and offers three clues. The rest of us have to guess.

9. Discuss your favorite things.
No visit to the zoo is complete without talk of our favorite things. Not just an animal we saw, but an experience or feeling we had. These are the things that stick with us the longest.

How do you turn a visit to the zoo into something the kids will remember long after you’ve left?

Getting to Know Critters: First Animal Encyclopedia

noreply@blogger.com (Debi) — Mon, 25 Mar 2013 07:00:00 +0000

At 4.5 years old, The Little Explorer is a big fan of animals. As you might imagine, I’m doing everything I can to support, encourage and further that interest.

First up: Finding him a good book about animals. Enter DK Publishing. At 2, he loved My First Animal Board Book, so I figured the school-age version, First Animal Encyclopedia, wouldn’t disappoint.

The book: First Animal Encyclopedia is organized into five sections: mammals, birds, reptiles and amphibians, creepy-crawlies and fish. Within each section, there is information about parenting, daily life, courtship, defense and eating habits. The reference section includes animal fun facts such as the largest, the smallest, the loudest, the fastest and the tallest critters. Multiple full-color photographs are standard in DK publications and keep each section vibrant and visually appealing for kids.

First Animal Encyclopedia is part of the DK First Reference Series and is intended for kids 6 and older (grades 2 to 5). But I gotta tell you: We’re loving it.

Animal activities for kids: First Animal Encyclopedia is packed with lots of interesting facts about all kinds of animals. Some ways you can personalize the learning:

Talk about what animals live in your neighborhood. What animals (or signs of animals) do you see in your yard or neighborhood? Which animals only come out at night?

Head outside! There are plenty of animals to discover in your own backyard. Do some backyard bird watching, go on a bug hunt or take a micro safari.

Create an inviting space for wildlife. Invite birds to your yard or build a bug world to bring wildlife into your outdoor space.

Temporarily adopt a backyard critter. The Big Explorer has been bringing critters from the backyard into our house since forever. There was the roly-poly terrarium, the caterpillars we adopted and released as butterflies, countless crickets and moths – even a praying mantis. Just be sure to release your critters back to their outdoor home.

Create your own animal photo book. Gather photos you’ve taken in your backyard, neighborhood, on the trail or at a local zoo. Place them in a scrapbook and add your own age-appropriate details.

Visit a local zoo (or a wildlife learning center). Zoos and wildlife learning facilities provide access to animals that kids might not otherwise see.

Note: I purchased First Animal Encyclopedia for personal use. All opinions expressed are my own – and those of The Explorers. You can read my complete disclosure policy for more information.

Saturday Snapshot: Cherry Blossoms

noreply@blogger.com (Debi) — Sat, 23 Mar 2013 07:00:00 +0000

Welcome to a new weekly feature I’m calling “Saturday Snapshot.” This is where I’ll be sharing photos we take as part of our seasonal nature photo scavenger hunts.

In case you missed it, the 2013 Spring nature photo scavenger hunt has begun! If you’d like to play along, we’d love to have you! Look for our complete collection of #springnaturehunt photos on Instagram and Pinterest.

The Find: Tree Blossoms

The Story: As if on cue, the cherry blossoms were out at Lake Balboa this week. I took this one during a walk with a friend around the lake.