Nature Near You: Activities for Kids & Families
Looking for ideas to stay connected to nature close to home with your kids? We’ll post activities, links, and videos here each week.
WEEK 1
Activity: Nature Near Me Scavenger Hunt
Use this simple guide to explore your yard, neighborhood, or local conservation area. For each item you find, spend at least one minute looking or listening closely. Use this time to focus on your senses and the details you can observe.
Want more outdoor scavenger hunt ideas for kids?
- Buggy & Buddy: A scavenger hunt by color with a printable drawing sheet.
- Hitchcock Center for the Environment: Take-It-Outside-Bingo with animals to find and structures to build.
WEEK 2
“Science & Nature for Cooped Up Kids” by the Cornell Lab of Ornithology
If you have school-aged kids and want some great resources for fun learning activities, check out the Cornell Lab of Ornithology. They provide a guide for engaging K-2, 3-5, and 6-8 grade kids on a different theme each week, using birds as the focus. The activities are designed so you can get your kids started, then let them explore on their own with engaging slides and links. They also provide “quests” that the family can do together.
WEEK 3
Art in Nature for All Ages
Whether you are 5 years old or 75, we can all find calm and creativity in nature. Spend some time outdoors and then create a nature-inspired piece of art from the experience. We will share your work with others in an online Art in Nature gallery on our website. Artists of all ages are welcome to submit their art.
WEEK 4
Take-It-Outdoors Bingo with the Hitchcock Center for the Environment
In this bingo game, you’ll find different outdoor activities to do, things to look for, things to build, and more. Be a scientist and make observations. See how many tasks can you complete on your bingo card, then take a photo or draw a picture of the completed tasks to show your observations. When you’ve got “Bingo,” submit them to the Hitchcock Center for a prize!
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