VIDEO LESSONS
Planting Seeds
Join Julie as she plants seeds in her garden box and shares her enthusiasm for digging in the dirt. This video invites children to discover the magic of seeds, soil, water, and sun and gives them ideas for getting it all started. Video comes with step-by-step written instructions and gardening tips.
Free – Click here to watch
Nature Loom
Do your hikes include picking up feathers, rocks, or interesting seeds along the way? Here is a fun way to display your treasures! This video offers simple guidelines for collecting and gives easy-to-follow instructions for making a sturdy weave that holds your nature items and is a beautiful wall-hanging as well. Video includes written step-by-step instructions and tips for collecting.
Free – Click here to watch
My Special Place
Creating an outdoor “go to” space not only helps children feel in control of their environment but allows them the freedom to observe the natural world at the pace that suits them best. This video shows an example of building a “special place,” and asks children to think about what they want to call into their daily lives. Video comes with written tips for setting up their outdoor hangout.
Free – Click here to watch
Lunar Lantern
Turn a walk in your backyard or neighborhood into a mysterious moonlight stroll. This exciting nature craft can be created with easily accessible household items and will become a favorite accompaniment for evening activities. Video comes with step-by-step instructions and tips for making the most of night-time explorations.
Free – Click here to watch
Sundial
As in the days of old, kids will learn to gauge the passage of time outside with this fun sundial activity adapted from Kim Andrew’s Exploring Nature Activity Book for Children. Materials needed for this activity are easily found in your kitchen and yard. Video includes a discussion of the sun’s importance to ancient civilizations and straightforward instructions for making a backyard sundial. Written step-by-step directions and tips for telling time in nature are included.
Free – Click here to watch
Bagel Bird Feeder
Use items from your kitchen to attract birds to your yard or balcony. This fun, simple activity encourages children to get involved in birdwatching and is sure to make your feathered friends happy. Video comes with step-by-step written instructions and tips for bird watching.
Free – Click here to watch
Constellations
Bring your night time sky observations right into your own room with this entertaining activity from Kim Andrew’s book, Exploring Nature Activity Book for Kids. Flashlights, darkened rooms, and leaves from your own yard, equal hours of fun and learning. Video comes with written step-by-step instructions and tips for stargazing.
Free – Click here to watch
Summer Solstice Craft
This meditative craft was inspired by the summer solstice but is a fun way to honor our amazing sun any time of the year. Children use twigs and colorful yarn to create their own imaginative God’s Eye sun. Video includes step-by-step written instructions and historical facts about the sun’s influence on cultures over the years.
Free – Click here to watch
Sound Map
As George Satayana suggested, “The earth has music for those who listen,” and creating a sound map inspires children to listen attentively. This simple but profound activity from Joseph Cornell’s Sharing Nature book is a favorite of nature educators everywhere. Crayons, recycled paper, and a desire to listen are all that is necessary for this activity that keeps children quietly absorbed again and again. Video includes step-by-step directions and a template for a “sound poem” follow up.
Free – Click here to watch
Toad Manor
Invite an amphibian friend into your yard or garden by creating an attractive toad home. Toads are not only essential to healthy ecosystems, they help keep pest populations under control. This video discusses frogs and toads and demonstrates how to construct an earthy toad house that kids can put together effortlessly. Video comes with step-by-step written instructions and tips on how to attract toads and frogs to your yard.
Free – Click here to watch
Flower Craft
Celebrate the beauty of your favorite blossoms with this simple, but attractive flower craft. It is easy to make, fun to display, and makes an excellent gift as well.Video includes step-by-step written instructions and tips for preserving flowers for future projects
Free – Click here to watch
Weather Vane
Observe the changing wind and try to predict the weather with this fun-to-make weather vane activity from Kim Andrew’s Exploring Nature Activity Book for Children. Children will be thrilled to try their hand at meteorology! They can use simple materials from their own home and yard to assemble this instrument. Video discusses using wind direction and other nature signs for weather forecasting. Step-by-step written instructions and tips on looking to nature for prediction are included.