The average child can identify over 300 corporate logos, but only 10 native plants or animals. This is a comprehensive guide for parents and educators to help youth develop a deeper appreciation of the natural world. This amazing compendium is packed with seasonal games, crafts, skills, stories and observations to make outdoor learning fun!

Get out! Seasonal activities, information, stories, games and observations to foster engagement with the natural world

The Big Book of Nature Activities is a comprehensive guide for parents and educators to help youth of all ages explore, appreciate and connect with the natural world. This rich, fully illustrated compendium is is packed with crafts, stories, information and inspiration to make outdoor learning fun!

• Nature-based skills and activities such as species identification, photography, journaling and the judicious use of digital technology
• Ideas, games and activities grounded in what's happening in nature each season
• Core concepts that promote environmental literacy, such as climate change and the mechanisms and wonder of evolution, explained using a child-friendly, engaging approach
• Lists of key species and happenings to observe throughout the year across most of North America

Perfect for families, educators, and youth leaders wanting to help children connect with nature!

Acknowledgments

Introduction
Connecting to Nature
Technology is the Answer, But What Was the Question?
Nature Deficit Disorder
About The Big Book of Nature Activities
Geographical Area Covered
100 Continent-wide Species to Learn
Some Key Regional Species to Learn
How to Raise a Naturalist
How Do We Get Kids Outside?
Characteristics of Kids and Nature: Ages and Stages
Adults and Nature: How Knowledge and Appreciation Enhance Our Lives
Species Identification and Naming

Basic Skills for Connecting to Nature
Hints for Paying Attention
Engaging All of Your Senses
Leading a Walk or Hike: Some Pointers
Some "Back-pocket" Activities
Birding
Invertebrate-watching: Butterflies, Moths and Dragonflies
Botanizing: The Art of Plant Identification
Mushroom-hunting
Enjoying the Sky
Time of Year and Time of Day
Increasing Your Chances of Seeing Wildlife
Bringing Nature Inside
Sketching and Journaling
Nature Photography
Geo-caching: A Tool for Nature Appreciation
Citizen Science
Connecting with Nature in the Digital Age

Key Nature Concepts for Children to Learn
Why Do We Have Seasons?
Phenology
Climate Change
Evolution
Big History

Fall: The Cooling Season
Some Key Events in Nature in Fall
Continent-wide Overview
Fall Nature Highlights by Region
Fall Poem
Collection Challenge
Art in the Park
What's Wrong with the Scenario?
The Story of Night Cap, the Chickadee
At Your Magic Spot
Exploring Fall — Things to Do
Fall Looks Like...
Fall Sounds Like...
Fall Tastes Like...
Fall Smells Like...
Fall Feels Like...
Phenology
Evolution
Birds
Mammals
Amphibians and Reptiles
Fishes
Invertebrates
Plants
Fungi
Weather
The Sky
Honoring the Season

Winter: The Great Exhale
Some Key Events in Nature in Winter
Continent-wide Overview
Winter Nature Highlights by Region
Winter Poem
Collection Challenge
Art in the Park
What's Wrong with the Scenario?
The Story of Night Cap, the Chickadee
At Your Magic Spot
Exploring Winter — Things to Do
Winter Looks Like...
Winter Sounds Like...
Winter Tastes Like...
Winter Smells Like...
Winter Feels Like...
Phenology
Evolution
Birds
Mammals
Amphibians and Reptiles
Fishes
Invertebrates
Plants
Fungi
Weather
The Sky
Honoring the Season

Spring: The Greening Season
Some Key Events in Nature in Spring
Continent-wide Overview
Spring Nature Highlights by Region
Spring Poem
Collection Challenge
Art in the Park
What's Wrong with the Scenario?
The Story of Night Cap, the Chickadee
At Your Magic Spot
Exploring Spring — Things to Do
Spring Looks Like...
Spring Sounds Like...
Spring Tastes Like...
Spring Smells Like...
Spring Feels Like...
Phenology
Evolution
Birds
Mammals
Amphibians and Reptiles
Fishes
Invertebrates
Plants
Fungi
Weather
The Sky
Honoring the Season

Summer: The Crescendo
Some Key Events in Nature in Summer
Continent-wide Overview
Summer Nature Highlights by Region
Summer Poem
Collection Challenge
Art in the Park
What's Wrong with the Scenario?
The Story of Night Cap, the Chickadee
At Your Magic Spot
Exploring Summer — Things to Do
Summer Looks Like...
Summer Sounds Like...
Summer Tastes Like...
Summer Smells Like...
Summer Feels Like...
Phenology
Evolution
Birds
Mammals
Things to See from a Car
Amphibians and Reptiles
Fishes
Invertebrates
Plants
Fungi
Weather
The Sky
Honoring the Season

Appendix
Cards for Song Ensemble and Listen for Your Mate
Leaf Adaptations Scavenger Hunt
Adaptations to Winter Scavenger Hunt
Adaptations for Reproduction Scavenger Hunt
Fungus Scavenger Hunt
Non-identification Bird Walk Checklist
Pictures for Imagining Your Ancestors
Fall Phenology Chart
Winter Phenology Chart
Spring Phenology Chart
Summer Phenology Chart
My Adopted Tree (Fall)
My Adopted Tree (Winter)
My Adopted Tree (Spring)
My Adopted Tree (Summer)
What's Wrong with the Scenario ?— Answer Key

Artists' and Photographers' Credits
Index
About the Authors

Get out! Seasonal activities, information, stories, games and observations to foster engagement with the natural world

The average child can identify over 300 corporate logos, but only 10 native plants or animals—a telling indictment of our modern disconnection from nature. Soaring levels of obesity, high rates of ADHD, feelings of stress and social awkwardness and "Nature Deficit Disorder" are further unintended consequences of a childhood spent primarily indoors.

The Big Book of Nature Activities is a comprehensive guide for parents and educators to help youth of all ages explore, appreciate and connect with the natural world. This rich, fully illustrated compendium features:

• Nature-based skills and activities such as species identification, photography, journaling and the judicious use of digital technology
• Ideas, games and activities grounded in what's happening in nature each season
• Core concepts that promote environmental literacy, such as climate change and the mechanisms and wonder of evolution, explained using a child-friendly, engaging approach
• Lists of key species and happenings to observe throughout the year across most of North America.

Perfect for families, educators, and youth leaders, The Big Book of Nature Activities is packed with crafts, stories, information and inspiration to make outdoor learning fun!