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This week, snap as many photos of wildlife as you can find in your yard or neighborhood. Then, print them out at a local store or on your printer at home. Cut each photo to fit 2.5 x 2 inches and glue the photos to each page in the photo album. Instructions for creating and …

This activity will teach you how plants grow with hands-on experience from seedling to harvest.  Some materials you may need: Small containers about 2- to 3-inches deep (egg cartons, yogurt cups, plastic pots, etc) Lightweight soil-less potting mix Seeds (sunflowers, zinnias, cosmos, radishes, lettuces, and dill all grow quickly) Spray bottle Craft sticks Plastic wrap …

The Toccoa and Ocoee Rivers are located in Tennessee and run a stretch of 93 miles long. This river is best known for being the only natural river used in the Olympics, and athletes rafted on it in the 1996 games. Natives refer to parts of the river as the “Upper River”, “Middle River”, and …

This activity will lead you to explore your yard, collect some beautiful flowers, and create the perfect gift for Mother’s Day.  To begin this project, head outside with a pair of scissors and cut a few flowers that you think would look nice together. Then, fold a piece of white paper and insert it between …

A friend and I went on a search for this hike one Saturday afternoon, and we had no idea what we were in store for. We drove around where we thought the base of the mountain was for a few hours. Finally, we  hopped out of the car at a nearby farm nearby to ask …

Rock balancing is used for creativity, to relax, and to meditate by stacking stones without using adhesive materials. It is also known as stone stacking, and stone balancing. Check out this page for more information and examples by a land artist!    Photo by lauramusikanski

Make your own sun-catcher  wind chime!  Things you will need:  Contact paper Scissors Marker or pen Rings from mason jar lids String A sturdy stick Then follow the directions on this page!    Image by M W 

This week, you can make your own seed bombs! A seed bomb (also known as a seed ball) is a ball of clay that contains compost and seeds from native plants, especially wildflowers. The mixture of clay and earth holds in moisture. It also helps protect the seeds from being eaten by animals before they …

Black Balsam Knob is  one of the most popular hikes in Pisgah National Forest. The “knobs” are rolling hills of brush and bald patches, stretching as far as the eye can see.

This project will have you designing, building, and playing on your own mini putt-putt course, either in your yard or even inside your house. Look around for objects you can use to construct the course. The items can include: cereal boxes  buckets, bins, and other containers gift bags jars boots plastic cups books Almost any …

Here’s an activity that will give both you and your children something to do while socially distancing yourselves from others. Create a treasure hunt for your kids that takes them both around the house and through the yard. First, choose what the treasure will be. It could be a tasty snack. It might be a new …

With schools closing because of the corona virus, we’ve decided to combine the “Activity of the Week” and “Idea for the Weekend” into the “Idea for the Week” for families isolating themselves at home. This week, go bird watching!  What birds live in your neighborhood? Head outside and find out! Take along the following items:  …

It’s the first day of spring! And while it’s not a typical spring season, it’s still important to get outdoors. During these days that seem uncertain and challenging, spending time in nature not only helps fight anxiety, but it offers many other health benefits as well.  You can find out more here.  Below are some …

It’s almost the official start of spring! If the weather’s warming up in your are of the country, take a walk this weekend — barefoot!  Going barefoot outside has lots of benefits; here’s just one article explaining some of them.     Photo by anitapeppers

Before Daylight Savings Time makes us spring forward, go out with your friends or family after dark and take a night hike! Be sure to take along a flashlight!    Photo by colinpithers

It’s time to start planting flower bulbs for summer blooms! These can include (but are not limited to) begonias, dahlias, gladiola, and elephant ears. For more information on planting summer bulbs, click HERE.    Photo by lisaleo

This weekend, head outside and see what types of conifers are growing in your area. Conifers are trees with needles that bear cones. Collect the cones, then use this site to see what kinds of trees they are.  You can even use them to make a pine cone wreath.    Photo by blackbird 

Happy Valentine’s Day! To celebrate, see how many lonely hearts you can find… in nature! Take along a cell phone or camera to record your finds, since you may not be able to bring some of them home.        Featured image by rosamore Leaf of vine by pippalou Rock photo by NDPetitt

It’s time to get out the art supplies! This weekend, bring family and friends together to paint a winter tree! You can find all of the instructions here.    Photo by Pellinni

This activity will help your students become more familiar with the types of products that can be recycled, as well as how to recycle them.  Supplies:  One pair of non-latex gloves for each team of students (such as garden gloves) Trash bags in two different colors, one for regular litter and one for recyclable materials …