I’ve been wanting to write about the Sulphur Creek Nature Center for a long time now. When my son was two and three, we visited the center regularly for their awesome toddler wildlife classes (for 1-3 year-olds). I found it was the best place in the San Francisco East Bay to give my son hands-onContinue reading “Animal Fun! Sulphur Creek Nature Center, Hayward”
Category Archives: Outdoor Education
Observe: Insect Activity
What cool insect, arachnid (spider), or mollusk (snail) activity can you find around your yard? Has your child watched a spider spin a web? How about ants marching along on a mission? What about a snail eating a plant? Give your child the time and space to observe these small creatures in their natural environment…Continue reading “Observe: Insect Activity”
Kid Science: Make a Seed Viewer
Seeds… how incredible that plants of all sizes can grow from such a tiny thing. If you’ve gardened with a young child, you’ve witnessed their fascination and wonder at the mystery of plants. To give your child the opportunity to actually witness the growth of a plant from the first roots shooting out of theContinue reading “Kid Science: Make a Seed Viewer”
Kid Science: Owl Pellet Dissection
Owls are fascinating creatures. They have a special organ (gizzard) that stores the undigestible parts of their prey, preventing these parts (bones, teeth, fur, feathers) from proceeding through the digestive tract. The gizzard compresses these parts into a pellet which is later regurgitated. This is a pretty simplistic explanation. If you’d like to learn more,Continue reading “Kid Science: Owl Pellet Dissection”
Great book! Friends of the Earth: A History of American Environmentalism
In preparation for Earth Day next month, I’m currently reading a wonderful book… Friends of the Earth: A History of American Environmentalism by Pat McCarthy. The book, written for children ages 9 and up, introduces the efforts, struggles, and triumphs of men and women (scientists, artists, authors, naturalists) who dedicated their lives to protecting theContinue reading “Great book! Friends of the Earth: A History of American Environmentalism”
Citizen Science: FrogWatch 2013
As I sit here at my computer with the backdoor open to allow some fresh air into our home, I’m listening to the lovely sound of frogsong. The chorus is coming from the creek on the other side of our backyard fence. Up until today, we’ve only been hearing one frog at a time. Suddenly,Continue reading “Citizen Science: FrogWatch 2013”
More Fun with Animal Tracks
This past weekend, we attended a fun nature class at Coyote Hills Regional Park in Fremont. This free class for children aged 5+ and their family, called Family Nature Hour, is held on Saturday afternoons throughout the year. Each week a different concept from the natural world is covered. The one we attended on SaturdayContinue reading “More Fun with Animal Tracks”
Seymour Marine Discovery Center, Santa Cruz
The Seymour Marine Discovery Center, located in Santa Cruz on the bluffs above the Monterey Bay, is a true gem. Don’t expect the grandeur of the Monterey Bay Aquarium, but be prepared for a smaller, quieter, more intimate experience here. The location is phenomenal. On a clear day, the views can’t be beat. Inside theContinue reading “Seymour Marine Discovery Center, Santa Cruz”
Rockin’ Experiment 3: Make Metamorphic Cookies
The final project in our three-part geology series, tailored for early elementary aged kids, is about metamorphic rocks. The focus of this experiment is to show “rocks” can change through heat, compression, and time. The “rocks” in this project are actually cookies. We made cookies, making some observations about the “minerals” (ingredients) we put intoContinue reading “Rockin’ Experiment 3: Make Metamorphic Cookies”
It’s Earth Science Week!
Earth Science Week is going on right now, this week, October 14th-20th. This international “event” is put on by the American Geosciences Institute (AGI) “to help the public gain a better understanding and appreciation for the Earth Sciences and to encourage stewardship of the Earth.” Sounds like a great time to teach our kids aContinue reading “It’s Earth Science Week!”
Devils Postpile National Monument
If you’re ever in the Eastern Sierras near Mammoth Lakes, you’ve gotta check out Devils Postpile. This place is incredible, and unlike anywhere else I’ve visited in California. The only other place I can personally compare it to is the Giants Causeway in Northern Ireland. Both places have these fascinating basalt hexagonal columns. You haveContinue reading “Devils Postpile National Monument”
A Fall Tradition: Corn Picking
For more information about the festival, see my post… This Weekend! Harvest Festival, Ardenwood Historic Farm
Project FeederWatch
As I wrote the other day (Let’s Count Stars!), we enjoy participating in citizen science projects. It’s a fun way to contribute to scientific research and learn about science at the same time. I wrote earlier in the week about participating in the Great World Wide Star Count. Perhaps stargazing isn’t your thing, but you’dContinue reading “Project FeederWatch”
Let’s Count Stars!
I’m always on the lookout for citizen science projects that would be fun to do with my son. I believe it’s a great way to teach science and get kids involved in a real-life project. Of course, this isn’t just for kids! Participating in citizen science projects is a wonderful way for people of allContinue reading “Let’s Count Stars!”
Environmentalism for Kids: Clean up the Neighborhood
For those of you who have been following my blog for a while, you know my son loves to take walks around the neighborhood to pick up trash. It’s a great, age-appropriate way to introduce young kids to helping the environment. Interested in doing this with your child? It’s about as easy as it gets. Continue reading “Environmentalism for Kids: Clean up the Neighborhood”
Top 5 Nature Activity Books for Families
Looking for a book filled with activities and advice to help you get into nature with your kids? I’ve listed five of my favorites here. I refer to these often in my daily outdoor activities with my now 5-year-old, and have been using a couple of these books since he was two or three. WhileContinue reading “Top 5 Nature Activity Books for Families”
Take a “Signs of Fall” Walk
Saturday is the first day of Autumn. While it doesn’t quite feel like fall yet here in the San Francisco Bay Area, I know the seasons will begin to change soon. This is a great time to head outdoors with your child to look for the first signs of fall. This walk can be takenContinue reading “Take a “Signs of Fall” Walk”
Fun Kid Hike: Kule Loklo Trail, Point Reyes
One of our goals this summer was to take our son to see a lighthouse. There are a few in the Bay Area, but my favorite has always been the Point Reyes Lighthouse (see my post from yesterday: “Point Reyes Lighthouse“). My husband and I wanted to slip in a short hike during theContinue reading “Fun Kid Hike: Kule Loklo Trail, Point Reyes”
Too hot? Too rainy? Head to the Rock Gym!
Looking for nature-oriented indoor fun to do on a too-hot or a rainy day? Try the local rock climbing gym! We started taking our son when he was four. It’s a great way to burn some energy, strengthen that upper body, and let the kids go crazy climbing in a safe environment. My sonContinue reading “Too hot? Too rainy? Head to the Rock Gym!”
Connect with Nature: Find Your Sit Spot
I’m currently reading the book, What the Robin Knows: How Birds Reveal the Secrets of the Natural World, by Jon Young, which is about awakening our awareness of the behavior of birds in order to deepen our connection with all the wildlife surrounding us. Ultimately, the author is helping us to reconnect with our ownContinue reading “Connect with Nature: Find Your Sit Spot”
Suburban Nature Explorations 