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I grew up in a great neighborhood. All of the kids in the cul-de-sac were around my age, so playing outside was a regular and cherished part of my everyday routine. It’s this tradition and the sense of community surrounding the experience that sparked my love for the outdoors at a young age. Across my …

This weekend, visit one of the 41 Audubon Centers in the U.S. Although they are all a little different, each provides opportunities to learn about birds and their habitats. Click HERE to find an Audubon Center near you.    Photo by davidpwhelan

This weekend, head out to a nearby county, state, or national park, and volunteer to help. You can pick up litter, greet visitors, conduct tours, work at special events, work in the gift shop, or maintain a beach, waterway, or trail. Check out these websites to get started:  US Forest Service Volunteer Program  Volunteer Events …

This weekend, find out just what kind of trees are growing in your yard and around your house. First, create a “map” of your yard, indicating where each tree is located. Next, gather small sandwich baggies to collect several leaves from each tree. Number each baggie with a black sharpie. Now it’s time to head …

This weekend, make plans on how to celebrate the 4th outdoors! You could host a get-together with food and games, visit a new park, go on a bike ride, hike a new trail — it’s up to you! With a plan in place, you’ll be ready to celebrate! 

Now that summer’s officially arrived, celebrate with a splash party! Invited friends and neighbors over to cool off with some of these ideas:  10 Fun Ways to Turn Your Backyard into a Water Park DIY Water Wall  DIY Water Blob Kiddie Car Wash Sponge Bulls Eye Water Gun Cup Races    Photo by lisaleo

It’s officially the first day of summer! Here are some ideas you can try to celebrate the season: Go on a picnic Go swimming Make a bird feeder Make a fairy house Go on a scavenger hunt around your neighborhood or through the woods Release ladybugs – You can buy them online and send them …

What kind of natural objects catch your? Chances are, you’ve come across some interesting finds.  This weekend, use those objects to start your own nature collection. They might include a bird’s nest, a sea shell, part of an old hive, a turtle shell, feathers, or a piece or quartz. Use nature guides and reference books …

Dust off your fishing pole and tackle box. Then head to a local lake or pond and go fishing. Be sure to check fishing license requirements for your state before you go.    Photo by joelpyle

This weekend, get together some friends or family members and learn a new game! Here are some you may not have played before: Bocci Ball Disc Golf Kanjam Horseshoes Cornhole   Photo by garrygraham  

This week, create a class memory book about the activities they did together outdoors. You can have each student create their own page. They might write about their favorite activity, a new experience, a special memory, or something funny that happened. They can include drawings and other designs. Older students can create their pages on …

Summer is the perfect time to catch up on all the books you’ve been wanting to read. It’s also the time libraries sponsor summer reading programs. So this weekend, create a special reading space in your backyard or on your patio. It could be as simple as finding the perfect tree or hanging up a …

The days are getting longer, flowers are blooming and it’s the perfect time to get outside. Looking for new things to do? Try the Rainbow Hunt. Try to find things in nature that make up the colors of the rainbow. Start with red then move on to orange, green, yellow, blue, indigo, and violent. In …

This week, have the students write letters to themselves reflecting on their outdoor experiences.  Or, have the students each write a letter to a new student who will be in your class next year. What can they expect when they head outside together? What kind of helpful advice can the current students give the new …

This week, teach your students how to set goals. Then have your students write down a list of goals they’d like to accomplish this summer. Be sure to include things that get them outdoors in the fresh air. Start by brainstorming as a class, then have the students write down their own list. Invite them …

This mother’s day, help mom enjoy some time outdoors. Here are some ideas:  Set up a hammock so she can read or nap outside  Take a hike together Have a picnic  Visit a new park  Go for a family bike ride Play Frisbee golf  Go kayaking or canoeing Pick a wildflower bouquet together Attend an …

Have you ever heard a rat-a-tat-tat sound outside your window? Chances are there’s a woodpecker nearby! There are twenty-two species of woodpeckers in North America living in forests, woodlands, farms, and even backyards. They range from southern Texas to the eastern tip of New York.  Although woodpecker species share some similarities, such as favorite foods …

Join other classes around the world for Outdoor Classroom Day on May 23! To find out more and to sign up, click here.    Photo by GaborFromHungary

Spring is blooming! Visit your local library and check out some flower identification books. Then find some wildflowers in your area and identify what kind they are. You may want to take along a nature journal to make a record of what you see.    Photo by Fracticality

Haiku is a form of poetry that originated in Japan. It is made up of 17 syllables in 3 lines that usually don’t rhyme. Traditionally, haiku focuses on the natural world. This week, have your students write their own haiku about nature. Just follow the form below:  LINE 1: 5 syllables LINE 2: 7 syllables …