WILD Mag

Welcome to the world of exploration and adventure with WILD Mag, the ultimate digital monthly subscription magazine designed to ignite the curiosity of young minds and families about the wonders of nature and the great outdoors. Bursting with vibrant colors and brimming with educational materials and engaging activities, WILD Mag is a gateway to a world of discovery, where children can embark on thrilling journeys through the wilderness, while simultaneously learning about the fascinating ecosystems that surround us. Get ready to dive into an immersive experience that will inspire a lifelong love for nature and foster a deeper connection to the natural world – all from the comfort of your own home!

What’s WILD Mag all about? 

The mission of the WILD Mag is to inspire a love for the natural world by helping educate families about different nature topics and encouraging them to go outdoors to explore together. With a new topic each month, you’re sure to learn lots and have fun doing it. 

An inexpensive digital resource, the WILD Mag is available by monthly subscription at Chickie and Roo Homeschool. If you aren’t ready to commit to a subscription, individual issues can easily be purchased HERE. Lauren Giordano from Chickie and Roo Homeschool, Stephanie Hathaway from Stephanie Hathaway Designs, and Laura Stroup from Firefly Nature School comprise the WILD Mag’s creative team.

Each month, you receive a 60(ish)-page digital magazine sent directly to your inbox. You can opt to print the magazine at home or have it printed by a print shop. Another economical option is to use the magazine’s digital resources from your phone, computer, or tablet and only print out the consumable pages for activities.

How to use the WILD Mag

The beauty of the WILD Mag rests in its simplicity. Open it up, and begin. Or preview and plan out a section to complete each week during your morning time, nature study, or science class.

The WILD Mag’s target audience includes kindergarten through sixth grade. Students in the older range of this age spectrum might enjoy reading through the articles and completing activities more independently, while younger kids can work with older siblings or with a parent, caregiver, or teacher. Families also enjoy perusing the magazine together as small sections of text deliver lots of information, and activities can be easily adapted for different age levels. 

If your kids are part of the early learner crowd, a WILD Mag Jr. might be more your speed. Geared toward preschool-aged kids, it shares a theme with the regular WILD Mag. But instead of exploring multiple facets of a nature topic, it focuses on just one aspect and includes something to read, ask, learn, solve, draw, find, make, and show. 

What’s in each issue?

Each issue of the WILD Mag contains more than enough information to have an entire unit study right at your fingertips. Every issue also includes a book list, along with links to related documentaries, helpful videos, and interesting websites (all with kids in mind) makes putting outside additional resources (beyond the magazine) together a snap. 

The digital magazine is filled with beautiful illustrations, including posters and diagrams, accompanying short bursts of informative text, followed by hands-on activities that may include crafts, games, experiments, recipes, projects, and nature journaling prompts, among others. These “your turn” sections encourage observation, nature walks, outdoor time, play, and family connections. 

Drawing tutorials, picture studies, vocabulary words, crossword puzzles, poetry, coloring pages, and word searches round out the WILD Mag experience. Plus, there are opportunities for your child to be featured in the monthly issues when you tag or share with the creative team the different projects and activities they enjoyed working on. 

Who is the WILD Mag for?

One of the most common questions about the WILD Mag is whether it focuses solely on North America since that’s where its creators reside. The short answer is no. The WILD Mag’s design features amazing aspects of science and nature from around the globe. The multi-country subscriber base can attest to that.

Including a variety of topics that highlight Earth’s different regions helps families see the ways in which nature connects us all. You only need to glance through past WILD Mag topics to see the biodiversity included. The magazine has previously covered topics such as mountains, coral reefs, horses, marsupials, and the solar system, plus many others. Be sure to check out the archives for a full list of topics if there’s something, in particular, you’re studying! 

WILD Mag highlights

1. Bright, colorful illustrations welcome young naturalists to turn the pages.
2. Short sections make information easily digestible for elementary and middle school readers.
3. Interactive projects encourage the application of knowledge. 
4. Fun, practical activities foster learning. 
5. Nature walks inspire a connection to the natural world. 

Benefits of learning with the WILD Mag

Introducing children to the wonders of nature through a digital magazine like WILD Mag offers numerous benefits that go beyond just educational value. Here are some of the key advantages:

1. Interactive learning experience: With a digital magazine, children can enjoy an interactive learning experience that goes beyond static text. Engaging elements like diagrams, images, and multimedia help in better understanding complex concepts related to ecosystems, biodiversity, wildlife, and more. The magazine’s hands-on activities, lessons, crafts, and games ignite curiosity and a sense of wonder about the natural world. This encourages children to ask questions, explore further, and seek answers, fostering a lifelong love for learning and nature.

2. Visual stimulation: Visuals have a powerful impact on learning, especially for young minds. High-quality illustrations and graphics in the magazine bring the natural world to life, making it easier for kids to connect with and retain information.

3. Promotes environmental awareness: Learning about nature and its intricate ecosystems instills a sense of environmental consciousness in children. They become aware of the delicate balance of ecosystems, the importance of biodiversity, and the need for conservation efforts. As children learn about ecosystems and their interconnectedness, they develop a sense of empowerment, knowing that they can make a positive impact on the environment through their actions and choices.
4. Encourages outdoor exploration: While a digital magazine is accessible from anywhere, it often inspires outdoor exploration. Children may want to venture into nature to observe wildlife, identify plants, and experience the lessons they’ve learned firsthand.
5. Inclusivity and accessibility: A digital format ensures that educational materials are accessible to a wider audience, regardless of their location or circumstances, promoting inclusivity in learning. Digital magazines offer the convenience of access on various devices, making it easy for kids and families to explore nature’s wonders anytime and anywhere that suits their schedule.
6. Holistic development: Learning about nature encompasses various subjects, such as biology, geography, geology, and climate science. This multidisciplinary approach promotes well-rounded development and critical thinking skills.

The WILD Mag provides a captivating platform for kids to delve into the enchanting world of nature. Its immersive and interactive content nurtures a passion for the greatoors, encourages a sense of environmental responsibility, and equips the next generation with knowledge and appreciation for the natural world that surrounds them.

WILD Mag themes for 2023-24

Each year, the WILD Mag team shares a list of future topics to help subscribers plan their school year and summer holidays. This year’s topics have recently been revealed. 

• August – Tropical rainforest
• September – Apples
• October – Bears
• November – Winter dormancy
• December – Math in nature
• January – Puffins
• February – Trees
• March – Whales
• April – Naked mole rats
• May – Colors in nature
• June – Monotremes
• July – Urban nature

Learn about nature with WILD Mag

It’s no secret that nature study lends itself to multiple learning styles and an interdisciplinary approach. The WILD Mag focuses on ecological relationships, zoology, and other sciences in addition to sprinkling in math, reading, writing, geography, history, art, and physical education. Basically, there’s something for everyone and everything for someone.

If you would like to try out the WILD Mag, you can grab a free sample by clicking HERE and scrolling to the sample section.

Happy exploring!

Be sure to check out WILD Mag and learn something new with your kids today! 

About the author

Laura is an ecology writer and the founder of Firefly Nature School, a nature study curriculum designed for homeschooling families, co-ops, and classrooms. Laura has a Bachelor of Science degree in Animal Ecology from Iowa State University with an emphasis in natural resource education. A former wildlife conservation educator and upper school science teacher, she now directs School of the Wild, a local nature school serving her community. In her free time, she enjoys traveling with her family, hiking, running, writing, reading, and cooking. Laura lives with her husband and their three children in the beautiful Ozarks countryside.

Find more from Laura in the following locations:
Website: Firefly Nature School
Instagram: @fireflynatureschool
Facebook: Firefly Nature School
RWMC posts: Laura

The post Exploring Nature with the WILD Mag appeared first on RUN WILD MY CHILD.

Today, UK mom and teacher Hannah of Hobie’s Nature Club is here exploring the fun activity of measuring worms with kids. She provides tips for getting started and offers some fun and creative ideas for turning this activity into a memorable outdoor adventure. Whether you’re a parent, teacher, or caregiver, measuring worms with kids is a great way to get them excited about learning and exploring the wonders of nature.

A bit about earthworms

Do you like being outside no matter the weather? Enjoy getting down and dirty with the kids? Well, we have a fun (and educational!) activity for you and your children that can be done in your own backyard — measuring worms!

Did you know, there are 30 species of earthworm in the UK, all of different sizes and colors? The US has 100 native species (and 60 invasive species) of earthworm.

Worms are essential to growing food and crops, but it is an ongoing question as to whether they are beneficial or detrimental to our soils. 

A positive argument for earthworms is that they are responsible for aerating the soil and preventing flooding. They break down decaying plant waste such as leaves and stems. This is why you will always find them in your compost bin. They don’t eat growing flowers like the pesky slugs and snails.  They are, of course, a major part of the food chain for birds and other invertebrates.

However, some scientists say that worms disturb the roots of growing plants, which can cause problems with their ability to absorb water. And due to worm’s ability to break down decaying matter, they can negatively impact the habitats of animals that live in the decaying leaves.

Fun with earthworms

But good or bad for the environment, earthworms are a part of our wildlife landscape and fun for kids to study and learn about. Measuring earthworms is a great way to not only teach kids about worms, but also spend time outside and do a little math in the process. I hope this activity gets you outdoors, provides a tool to get your children chatting about nature, and provides a fun way of involving learning in your play!

Treat your worms with kindness

No matter how we feel about worms, we need to be very careful with them and show them respect, like we do for all living creatures. Make sure all worms you catch are released back into the wild after about 30 minutes of exploration. However, if you still have more activities to do or just want to watch the worms some more, try to find some new worms. Worms are very sensitive. Do not handle them too much, and always use a gentle touch. Remember to keep them moist (use a mister, if necessary) and out of direct sunlight. 

Worm measuring equipment

Measuring earthworms is such a simple, free activity you will just need a few basic items:

• Collecting tray or pot
• Shovel or trowel for digging
• Pen and paper
• Ruler (or we used this very cool worm measuring board)

Hunting for earthworms

Once you’ve got your spade and a good damp place picked out, you just need to start digging. The best spots to find worms are usually in darker areas of your yard and where it’s damp, but not too wet.  Make sure you dig around the worms to loosen the soil so you can gently pick them up and place them in your container.  While collecting our worms, we created a competition challenging the kids to see who could get the longest, shortest, fattest, and pinkest worm. When you’ve collected each category, you can start to measure your worms.

Measuring earthworms

Now that you’ve got your worms, it’s time to measure them. When measuring worms with kids, it is important to use a technique that is safe, respectful to the animals, and appropriate for the child’s age and developmental level. Here are some tips for measuring worms with kids:

• Use a ruler or measuring tape: Using a ruler or measuring tape is a great way to measure the length of worms. Show the child how to line up the ruler or tape along the worm’s body to get an accurate measurement.
• Use a magnifying glass: A magnifying glass can help kids get a better view of the worm’s body, making it easier to measure its length.
• Be gentle: When handling worms, it is important to be gentle and respectful. Remind kids to be gentle and avoid squeezing or pulling the worms, which can harm them.

Remember to supervise kids closely when measuring worms and to release the worms back into their natural environment when finished.

Make sure you put earthworms back in the soil carefully

Incorporating learning into the equation

So how can we incorporate math into this activity? And how can you teach math with earthworms to kids of all ages? 

Toddlers and preschoolers

For little kids, have them count the number of earthworms they can find. This can help them learn how to count and recognize numbers. Or, you could let them compare the sizes of different earthworms they find. You can use words like “longer,” “shorter,” and “pinker” to teach them about comparing sizes and colors.

School-aged children 5-8 years old

Kids this age should be able to count in steps of 2, 5, 10 and order numbers to 1000. They’ll partition numbers into 100s, 10s, and 1s, add and subtract three-digit numbers, and do basic multiplication. On average, an earthworm is unlikely to be 2 digits long, but this activity can be good practice for one-digit adding. 

You can also practice estimating with kids this age. Encourage kids to make a guess about how long the worm is before measuring it. This can help them develop their estimation skills and also add an element of fun to the activity.

Have the kids study the anatomy of earthworms and measure different parts of their bodies, such as their segments or setae (the small bristles on their body). This can help them learn about the structure and function of earthworms. While we were measuring our earthworms, we talked about their segments and how they can lose them and replace them.  It was fun discussing how a bird might grab a worm at his tail but if the worm is quick enough and burrows down he might survive the attack.  We queried whether a worm could replace its head! This led to a discussion about invertebrates and how that means they have no spine just like spiders, butterflies, crabs and lobsters.  The children loved how a worm is actually a terrestrial invertebrate, they enjoyed making out that they were aliens and from another planet!

Older children (8+)

Older kids may be interested in analyzing the results of their measurements by creating a graph with statistics to show the number of earthworms and the size found by each participant. This can help them learn about graphing and interpreting data.

You can also challenge older kids to calculate the volume and density of earthworms by measuring their length, width, and height. This can help them practice their math skills and learn about concepts related to volume and density.

Encourage older kids to design their own experiments related to earthworms, such as testing the effect of different temperatures or light levels on earthworm behavior. This can help them develop their skills in scientific inquiry and experimental design.

Making it fun

Measuring earthworms can be a fun game for kids when presented in an engaging and interactive way. Here are some ideas to turn measuring earthworms into a fun game for kids:

• Earthworm hunt – Start by having a group of kids search for earthworms in a designated area. The first child to find a worm wins!
• Earthworm Olympics – Create a series of challenges that involve measuring earthworms, such as “Guess the Length” or “Fastest Worm Measurer.” Award points for each challenge and tally them up at the end to determine the winner.
• Earthworm art – Encourage kids to draw or paint pictures of the earthworms they find and measure. This can be a fun way to combine art and science. 

Remember to make the game age-appropriate and provide clear instructions on how to handle the earthworms with care. Emphasize the importance of being gentle and respectful to these creatures.

Are you kids into worms?
Have you ever used worms to teach?

About the author

Hannah Martin has worked as a PE Teacher in the UK for 15 years. She has always loved being active outdoors. However, she discovered a new passion for nature and appreciating the environment when she had her son Hobie (now 5 years old). Hannah and Hobie’s vision is to inspire parents to spend time doing fun, creative, nature activities outdoors with their children; no matter where they live and whatever the weather. They believe spending time together outdoors as a family will encourage future generations to love and care for the world, wildlife, and environment.

Find more from Hannah (and Hobie) in the following locations:
Instagram: @hobies_nature_club
Website: hobiesnatureclub.co.uk
YouTube channel: Hobie’s Nature Club
RWMC Posts: Hannah Martin

The post Nature’s Math: Earthworm Measuring with Kids appeared first on RUN WILD MY CHILD.

Children learn by touching

I loved daffodils and tulips long before I had children. But their wonder and delight grew when I began to experience them with my kids. To a small child, whose outdoor world has been governed by cold and snow for so many months, daffodils and tulips bring sheer amazement. They’re so cheerful, so undaunted by the often frigid world around them.  

Children learn so much by touching and feeling the natural world around them. Dissecting tulips and daffodils is particularly delightful because it allows kids to take apart and touch each part of the flowers. Other than common weeds like dandelions, I don’t usually let my kids tear flowers apart! So, this activity definitely felt special to them. It reminded me that the simple beauty of nature brings so much wonder and delight to a child. Learning experiences don’t have to be complicated. They can simply involve removing the delicate pieces of a flower and learning what those pieces are called.

Picking daffodils and tulips

If you choose to do a flower dissection, be sure your child has permission to pick the flowers. Asking before picking flowers has been a hard lesson for each of my children to learn. It usually comes up most during their preschool years. They’re just so overcome by the beauty of the flower, they find picking it irresistible!

Tulips, in particular, seem to just call them. This has always been a big deal because tulips are often a little sparse in our flowerbeds. Yet, at some point in their early years, every one of my children has systematically picked the handful we had. One of my offspring once even picked and dissected the only bud we had, just to see what it looked like inside. Childhood curiosity! This dissection activity satisfies that curiosity. It also deepens kids’ understanding and appreciation of daffodils and tulips.

This is also a great time to teach them that just because it’s okay to pick some flowers doesn’t mean it’s okay to pick all flowers! I try to remind my children of the old adage, “What if everybody did?” If everyone picked every daffodil or tulip they saw, there wouldn’t be any left for us to enjoy in nature.

If you don’t have permission to pick flowers (or don’t have access to flowers), you can usually find cut flowers to purchase at a grocery or flower store. 

Daffodil and tulip dissection with kids

Daffodil or tulip dissection is one of the easiest and simplest nature experiments you can do with your kids! All you need is a couple flowers and a sheet of paper. You can also use this printable if you’d rather not make your own. We enjoyed laying out our own pages and labeling them ourselves. If you have a magnifying glass, be sure to keep that handy so your kids can examine each part more closely!

For our daffodil and tulip dissection, we simply separated the pieces of each flower and arranged them on a piece of paper. You can also cut the flower in half with a sharp knife, but my kids voted for taking it apart by hand. That way even the little one could participate.

My oldest daughter copied a chart showing the parts of the flowers, then the younger girls got to arrange their own flower pieces. This simple activity was so much fun! They all learned so much about the details of the flowers. It felt like playing, taking apart the petals and stems and other parts of the blossoms. After dissecting a daffodil, the girls couldn’t wait to try a tulip.

Identifying parts of a daffodil or tulip

For younger children, a simple breakdown of stem, leaves, and petals may be a deep enough look into the parts of the daffodils and tulips. For older kids, we’re also including a more in-depth at the parts of these flowers and their functions. If you’re looking for a little more information about the parts of a daffodil, check out this page.

• Stem: The stem is the tall, green stalk that carries water and nutrients from the earth up to the flower.
• Leaves: This is where photosynthesis happens—where the plant takes the sun’s energy and turns it into food for the plant!
• Spathe: The papery brown sheath that covered the bud before it opened.
• Ovary: Filled with ovules, or eggs, which later become seeds after the flower has been pollinated by bees or other insects.
• Pistil: This is the center part of the flower, including the style and the stigma at the top.
• Stamen: The six little stalks surrounding the pistil. The stalk part is called the filament and the pollen-covered tip is the anther.
• Petals: This is most visible and colorful part of the flower.
• Corona: The inside layer of petals on the daffodil, also called the crown or trumpet

Planting bulbs with kids

Daffodils and tulips are both bulb plants, meaning they grow from a bulb deep in the earth, rather than a seed. The bulb stores up energy for the plant and goes dormant over the winter. Daffodil and tulip bulbs are best planted in the fall, so they can emerge as the daylight strengthens and the earth thaws at the end of winter. A healthy bulb will multiply year by year—if you plant a single daffodil bulb, within a few years you should have several!

My mother-in-law likes to tell how she once assigned her children the job of planting some daffodil bulbs in her new flower bed. They carefully inserted a single bulb in each hole, neatly spaced around the flower garden. The next year, she had single daffodils blooming everywhere! But after several years, she had the beautiful clusters she had once dreamed of.

To turn this into a long-term science project, plant some daffodil or tulip bulbs with your child this fall. You can find them at home improvement or garden centers in the fall months. You can also order them from seed catalogs or even see if a friend or neighbor has some to share. Then plant them about twice as deep as the bulb is tall (probably about 2-3 inches deep). In the spring, you’ll have your own daffodils and tulips to enjoy!

Tulips and daffodils in the cold

As cold-hardy plants, tulips and daffodils are able to survive chilly and even briefly freezing weather. If you live in an area where spring comes in fits and starts, like we do, you’ve probably seen daffodils with their heads bowed down with frost or even tulips dusted with snow. Amazingly, once the temperatures warm and the sun comes out, these hardy plants usually bounce back like nothing ever happened! Although temperatures below 25 may kill the blooms, the plants themselves will survive and bloom again the next year.

Making spring flower bouquets with kids

If you can’t get enough of these beautiful spring flowers, here are some more activities involving daffodils and tulips. First of all, make flower arrangements! This is one of the easiest and most rewarding hands-on activities you could ever let your kids do. It builds artistic skills and deeply satisfies the love of beauty that’s built into every one of us. If you don’t have spring flowers to pick, maybe a neighbor or friend has a yard full of them. Many times people won’t mind letting children pick a few for a bouquet.

Flower picking instructions for kids

This is a great time to help children learn how to pick flowers intentionally. Have them think through these questions as they select and pick their flowers:

• How many flowers do I need for this arrangement?
• Which colors and shapes will look good in my arrangement?
• What varieties/colors are there most of?
• Which flowers can I pick without leaving a hole in the beauty of the mother plant?
• Are there other flowers or greenery to pick from to complement the flowers in my arrangement?

Teach your kids how to pick the flowers carefully, carefully breaking off or cutting the stem. If you have a vase in mind, show them the vase and how much stem length they’ll need for their arrangement. (For some reason it’s hard for kids to learn to leave enough stem with the flower. They seem to have their eye on the flower and break the stem just past the flower. It always takes a while to teach them to cut the stem with their flower!) But most of all, just let them have fun putting together beautiful flowers to display inside your home. Or have them make a bouquet to give to a friend or neighbor!

Dyeing daffodils with kids

Did you know daffodils can be turned different colors? This fun and simple experiment shows how their veins draw fluids up, through the stems, and out into the petals. Place a daffodil with white or light-colored petals into a glass of water and add food coloring. Better yet, try several daffodils in different colors of water. Set in a safe place and check back every day to watch the magic happen! 

You should be able to see colors in the petals within 24 hours. My kids are fascinated with this–even our four-year-old loved checking in to see the colors changing. We’ve had issues with the flowers beginning to wilt and fade before the colors had time to make a really vibrant difference, though. So I’d recommend using the freshest blooms you can find and a strong food coloring solution for the best results.

In the meantime, since I failed to get a photo before our daffodils started getting all sad and wilted, my friend Ginny shared one of her amazing colored daffodils. Aren’t those lacy-colored veins just gorgeous?  

Photo credit Ginny Yurich @1000hoursoutside

Spring flower fun for kids

Whether you dissect them, dye them, plant them, or just pick some for a bouquet, daffodils and tulips are some of spring’s greatest delights. So be sure to get out and find some to enjoy with your kids!

Have you ever dissected tulips or daffodils with your kids?

About the author

Leslie is an Ohio farm girl and chaser of light, children, and sometimes chickens. She’s a lover of Jesus, wife to her high school sweetheart, and a homeschooling mom of four wild rascals who love the great outdoors as much as she does. As a family, they love hiking, camping, fishing, and just about any outdoor activity. She and her husband are just beginning the process of building a homestead from the ground up, doing most of the work themselves. Leslie has a lifelong obsession with writing and capturing everyday life from behind the lens. Follow along with their homesteading, homeschooling, and everyday adventures on her Instagram account.

You can find more from Leslie in the following locations:
Instagram: @c_l_allofus
Leslie’s RWMC posts: Leslie Alvis

The post Dissecting Daffodils and Tulips with Kids appeared first on RUN WILD MY CHILD.

Learning the art of stone skipping

When you approach a body of water, be it a stream, lake, pond, or ocean, what are you inclined to do:
 
A)    Walk, wade, or jump into the water
B)     Gaze at the water and think deep thoughts
C)     Pick up a stone and start skimming it across the water
 
While there is absolutely no wrong answer here, for many years I would have toggled between options A & B. Mainly that’s because as an adult, I didn’t know how to skip stones! I’m not sure how it happened, but I seemed to have missed that chapter of childhood. I hope I’m not the only adult in this pickle!

Fortunately, my husband quickly remedied the situation and became my rock skipping coach. He took it upon himself to teach me how to skip stones and the fun of this super simple outdoor activity. I was so excited to be a purveyor of this newfound talent that I couldn’t wait to teach my son how to do the same. Now that I find myself squarely in camp option C, I am happy to share with the Run Wild My Child community the physics and fun of skipping stones. 

Teaching kids how to skip stones

Throwing rocks into the water and making a huge splash is fun for all kids. But, learning how to skip a rock is a childhood wonder! It seems like skipping rocks should be impossible! Rocks are heavy and they sink in water. Skimming stones across the surface of the water seems almost magical to a child and it’s a blast (for both the child and the adult) practicing and perfecting your technique.

Today, I’ll walk you through the basics of how to skip stones and how to teach your children to skip stones. We’ll go over how to choose the perfect skipping rock, the right throwing technique, and the physics behind how to make rocks bounce on water! 

The history of skipping stones

The first written record of stone skipping dates back to 1583. Who knew that skipping stones has such a long history? Legend has it that an English King skipped sovereigns (a.k.a British coins) across the River Thames in London, England. And stone skipping appeared in the written works of Shakespeare and Homer.

Culturally speaking, stone skipping has its own unique word or term across different languages and cultures. In France, when one skips a stone, it’s referred to as ricochet. In Denmark, skipping stones is called snuffing. The Eskimos skip rocks on ice while Bedouins skip rocks across smooth sand. And, if you’re into pop culture, we even saw a character slide rocks across the ice in Game of Thrones! 

Best stones for skippin’

When it comes to rocks and stones, no two skip alike. You’ll want to take a few minutes doing some rock-onnaissance (you know, looking for the types of stones most conducive to skipping) in order to find the perfect skipping stone. Because throwing the stone is only half the battle, you also need to carefully choose the right rock for skipping. 

Flattish stones that aren’t perfectly shaped, but have a uniform thickness and a little heft seem to work best. Helf is important because the rock needs weight in order to be thrown well. Imagine you’d have a hard time skipping a cracker or a paperweight across the water. The uniform thickness means that the weight is equally distributed and the rock won’t flip end over end when thrown. And the stone’s flatness maximizes its lift and provides a landing/bouncing surface. 

Find flat water

The best places to skip stones are bodies of water that have a nice wide flat surface. Lakes and ponds are ideal. Rivers and streams can work, but you need a stretch of open water and few obstacles. Ocean and swift-moving rivers are tough due to the waves and uneven surface of the water. When you’re practicing your stone skimming, you’ll want to look for the best option and a place with lots of available rocks! 

The best stone skipping technique: it’s all in the wrist

Once you’ve selected a nice flat stone, the next step is mastering how to hold it. You’ll want to set the rock in the crook of your pointed finger and thumb. Then, curl your other fingers beneath it. Holding a rock in this fashion helps to set it up for a fast spin, which is needed to skip along the water’s surface.
 
Next, you’ll want to stand up straight, feet parallel to the water, with your wrist cocked high above your shoulder. From there, throw the stone down and release the stone at your side, as parallel to the water as possible. A good throw is all in the wrist. It’s important to throw the stone from the side angle (much like a baseball pitcher might throw a curveball) because an overhand or overhand throw will only sink your stone, not skip it. 

The physics of skipping stones

Skipping stones is a super fun way to pass time in nature. It is also an excellent way to scratch the surface of subjects like science and physics with kids.  The physics behind successful stone skipping is pretty simple.

There are two key forces at work when skipping rocks: (1) gravity (which pulls the rock down) and (2) lift (which pushes the stone up). For successful stone skipping, the lift force needs to be greater or the stone will sink. For this to happen, attention to the type of rock and the thrower’s form is important.

When a rock is thrown with enough force (velocity) and spin at the right angle, it creates a small wave of air. That wave pushes the stone as it hits the surface of the water. When the velocity of the stone is greater than the lift force of the wave, the rock will continue to rise up and skip off the surface of the water again and again until maxed out and then the rock will sink.

The gyroscopic effect (spinning) stabilizes the stone as it bounces along the water. As long as it is spinning fast enough, the spinning will prevent it from tipping over and/or sinking into the water. This is similar to a spinning top – it has to be spinning fast enough to stay upright. 

To read more about the science behind skipping stones, Surfer Today has an excellent article about the fluid dynamics and physics behind this fun activity.

Stone skipping trivia for kids

In case you ever find yourself as a contestant on Jeopardy or simply want to impress the family with a few fun factoids, here are a few stone skipping trivia gems for you:

• The magic angle between a skipping stone and water is 20 degrees.
• The distance between stone skips is usually 80% of the previous skip.
• The world record number of skips is currently 88 consecutive skips, set by Kurt Steiner! Here’s a video documenting that world record.
• A right-handed throw will result in skips that eventually veer to the right.

Earn a Nature Explorer patch for skipping stones

Being out and about in nature is just one of the many joys we should all be so lucky to experience. That’s one of the reasons that the Nature Explorer Patch is one of the first 18 patches to be released as part of the Wonder Club Explorers program. Wonder Club Explorers is an independent scouting program for kids. Through Wonder Club Explorers, kids earn colorful patches doing age-appropriate activities with parents and caregivers. And, yep, skipping stones can constitute being a Nature Explorer! Stone skipping with kids is a great way to get outside and learn about nature and science. Your child’s first Nature Explorer patch is only a stone skip away!

Stone skipping fun for kids 

The next time you find yourself next to a body of water feel confident knowing you have all the insider tips, tricks, and trivia to make you a confident stone thrower. Stone skipping with kids can be a lot of fun, gets you outside and active, and is completely free! You can turn skipping stones into a healthy competition or a fun game. In our family, we have yet to make it into the Guinness Book of World Record or get invited to the world championships, but my son skipped a stone FOUR times on our last outing. He is stoked! 

We can’t wait to venture out again and find ourselves a stream, pond, or calm ocean in which to toss a stone. Have fun and remember to tag #runwildmychild and #wonderclubexplorers on your next outdoor adventure. Until next time!

About the author

Michelle spends her days working on projects to improve the quality of life for the citizens of her community and her nights reading books to her 6-year-old about every kind of dinosaur there ever was (there are 900 validated species, in case you’re wondering). Together with her son, Michelle created Wonder Club Explorers, a company to inspire wonder and curiosity in kids. She carves out time for herself on the weekends as an early morning exerciser and metalsmith of fine jewelry. Michelle is also the co-host of the Run Wild My Child podcast. She resides in Altadena with her husband and son amongst California Oak trees and a stone’s throw of the San Gabriel Mountains. 

You can find Michelle online in the following locations:
Instagram: @wonderclubexplorers
Website: www.wonderclubexplorers.co
RWMC posts: Michelle Garrett

The post Skipping Stones with Kids: How to Skip Rocks and the Science Behind It appeared first on RUN WILD MY CHILD.

Survival skills are important

Anyone who spends much time out in nature knows that your situation can change in an instant. A storm can blow in, an injury can occur, an insect can sting, or an animal could attack. What started out as a simple hike can quickly become dangerous.

I’m not saying any of this to scare you or deter you from spending time outside. None of us really expect our kids (or ourselves) to be thrust into life-threatening situations in the wild–and maybe they never will be! But, as we raise our kids to love being outside, we should also be giving them the tools to face an emergency that could happen outside.

A level head, an emergency kit, and some basic wilderness survival skills will help them be prepared for the unexpected, both now and throughout their lives. And in the meantime, bushcraft skills are just a lot of fun. Sure, they’re useful in a survival situation. But they’re also a fun challenge for you and your teen to enjoy!

The need for survival skills

Many years ago, wilderness survival skills were necessary for life. It’s hard for us to wrap our 21st-century brains around, but children from past centuries had to acquire survival skills early. They needed to know how to build a fire, to create a shelter, to forage for food—and many of them survived because of those skills.

Today, although wilderness survival skills aren’t necessarily essential for everyday life, they are still good to know for emergency situations. In an emergency, previously acquired skills can mean the difference between life and death. Many of these skills can be useful in everyday situations as well. And wilderness survival skills provide an outdoors-based challenge for the developing minds and skills of our young adults. Plus, many of them are just fun to learn!

Building outdoors skills

My husband’s younger brother was still in his late teens when our two oldest kids were small. Too old to go outside and just play, this favorite uncle still enjoyed gathering up his little sisters and my kids to “play scouts.” They would pack up some supplies and tromp around in the woods, studying nature, playing survival games, and building forts. They all loved and benefited from the hours they spent doing this.

As kids get older, the way they “play” and spend time outside changes. Our son is thirteen now, and I’ve watched him make this same type of transition from purely imaginative nature play to constructive skill-building outside. Wilderness survival skills have given nature time a purpose and challenge as he’s grown up. It’s given him a reason to spend more time outside (and isn’t that what we all want for our kids, no matter what the age?).

Developing outdoor survival skills is a gradual process

For our kids, the development of these skills has happened gradually. As they aged and matured, they’d get access to an emergency kit and a pocketknife; they learned fort-building skills and fire safety. As our children express interest in these new challenges, we carefully and gradually introduce the tools and concepts for wilderness survival. There’s no magic age for this. In our family, it continues to vary based on interest and maturity. You know your kids best and can judge whether they’re ready or not. 

At thirteen, our son is capable and independent with many of these skills. But, he’s not just picking them up right now. His training and experience started very early, working in the woods with his dad and grandpa, and playing with his uncle. He frequently reads woodsman and bushcraft books, and loves to head out to the woods to practice these skills.

As he and I have collaborated on the material for this article, I’ve honestly been amazed at his knowledge of and passion for all things bushcraft. He’s become very proficient in these skills due to practice, persistence,  and merely spending time outside getting to know, understand and appreciate nature. 

Growing maturity with wilderness survival skills

Each of the wilderness survival skills here will require some level of adult supervision and responsibility, at least initially. Again, as the parent, you know your own children, with their unique abilities and maturity levels. Only you can decide how these skills should look for them. You get to determine what they can handle (and how) based on your own comfort level. 

For instance, in the beginning, our children are only allowed to use pocketknives with our permission and supervision. When they have demonstrated capability and maturity with a knife, they may be allowed to carry and use it as they see fit. If we find that they ever use this tool unwisely, we put it away until they grow up a little more. We learn from our mistakes, just as they do.

As parents, our children’s safety is our responsibility. But we also want to see them grow in wisdom and maturity. As they do, it’s amazing to see how a challenge like learning wilderness survival can help them develop and grow.

Wilderness survival skills for teens and tweens

If you’re interested in encouraging your teens (or pre-teen) to spend more time outside and learn some valuable lifelong skills in the process, we’re here to help. Here are some wilderness survival skills that perfect for teens and tweens. 

Make a survival kit

Making a survival pack is a fun and simple way to begin developing wilderness survival skills. Even a younger child can create a survival kit for a family hike or for a solo adventure like building a fort in your own backyard. It’s a great way to help kids begin to be prepared for the unexpected in nature. A survival pack doesn’t have to be fancy—just a backpack or little pouch with some basic tools and provisions.

Items you can include in a survival kit:

• First aid kit (our kids have created their own)
• Non-perishable snacks
• Water
• Flashlight
• Emergency blanket or rain poncho
• Rope
• Compass
• Knife or multi-tool (depending on age and maturity)
• Fire-starting tool (also depending on age and maturity)

I’ve been amazed at what my older kids pull out of their packs sometimes. They’re better than I am about carrying first aid supplies on outings and hikes. I can’t count the times our son has used his survival kit to supply or create something useful when we’re outdoors. When we’re working at our homestead property, I often find him unloading a small cast iron skillet and canned goods from his pack, building a fire, and heating a snack for himself and his sisters. Our girls haven’t reached that stage of independence yet, but I love how thinking ahead helps them be helpful and prepared for different circumstances on our nature adventures.

Teaching survival skills to teens (and learning yourself)

Before we cover some key elements of wilderness survival, I’d like to mention that some bushcraft skills may sound intimidating. In particular, handling sharp tools and starting fires might be scary, especially if they are out of your own comfort zone! They sound even scarier when you consider your child doing them. I am in no way advocating turning your child loose with anything. All of these skills require a learning period, patient instruction, and some maturity. With time and practice, he or she can gain safety and competence. 

If you’re not comfortable or knowledgeable about these skills, don’t let that stop you. You and your teen can learn together. Letting them see you learn something new is encouraging and shows them that learning a new skill can happen at any age. If you don’t know where (or how) to get started, don’t be afraid to ask for assistance! For instance, if your teen or tween is interested in learning more about safe knife handling, but you’re not comfortable teaching it, consider reaching out to a trusted adult for help. Somewhere in your circle of family and friends, you probably know someone who is a fisherman, a hunter, or a dedicated hiker.

People with hobbies like these often have a keen interest in wilderness survival skills. Many of them also love to share this knowledge, especially with the next generation. So, if you feel insufficient to teach/supervise any of these skills, look around for someone you trust to help you. And try learning right alongside your teen! You will never regret the time you spend together, discovering new skills and spending time in nature.

The Five C’s of wilderness survival

In Bushcraft 101: A Field Guide to the Art of Wilderness Survival, author Dave Canterbury identifies the key elements of survival skills as the Five C’s. Here are the Five C’s of wilderness survival:

1. cutting tools
2. combustion
3. cover
4. containers
5. cordage

Other guides label them in different ways, but we think the Five C’s make a helpful and memorable presentation of these skills. So, with due credit to the author for his outline, we would like to share with you the first three key elements of wilderness survival.

1. Cutting tools

The first C of wilderness survival is a cutting tool. Once again, this is something that may initially require your supervision and participation with your child. But, a sturdy pocketknife, multi-tool, or hatchet is one of the top tools necessary in a wilderness survival situation.

A knife should be attached to you, worn on a belt, or in a secure pocket. This is the one thing you never want to be without in an emergency. With a knife or other cutting tool, you can create a fire starter, cut materials for fire and for shelter, and recreate almost any other tool you will need to survive. A knife can also be vital in emergency medical situations (cutting bandaging, removing clothing) and rescues (cutting away obstructions or creating other tools to work with).

In the meantime, gaining skill and competence with a pocketknife or hatchet is a fun challenge for any teen.

Cutting tool options

Because a knife is essential for so many areas of wilderness survival, it’s important to own a good one. The Field and Stream Total Knife Manual is a complete guide to any and every kind of knife, its pros and cons, with every style and brand known to this modern world. On our shortlist of most useful knives, though, are these suggestions:

• Pocketknife: Sturdy, simple, and compact, this knife has a strong blade that locks open, preventing it from accidentally closing on your hand. As a basic survival tool, this knife is adequate and effective for a number of tasks.
• Multi-tool: A step up from a basic pocketknife, the multi-tool provides a number of useful features in one tool. Although this brand is pricey, the quality and durability of their tools is proven. In our experience, they last forever and work for everything.

Learning knife safety early

We live in a rural area where many of our friends and family members carry a pocketknife or multi-tool at all times. A cutting tool is useful for so many tasks in our lifestyle. With that kind of mindset, our kids have asked for pocket knives pretty young.

When we think they can handle a knife without being a danger to themselves, we let them start using one for some basic whittling or cutting. They’ve had to learn basic safety rules:

• do not ever cut toward your body,
• do not move around with an open blade, and
• no using a knife with other kids close to you.

Only after we see them demonstrating responsibility and maturity with those guidelines do we consider letting them carry the knife or using it on their own.

2. Combustion: tools and skills to make a fire

Another key element of wilderness survival is fire. Although it might sound a little scary, the skills and tools to create fire are essential in emergency situations. They also come in handy in many everyday situations throughout life. With proper instruction and supervision, your teen or preteen can learn these skills safely and gain efficiency in fire starting.

Start with fire safety

Since we heat our home with wood, as well as burn a lot of outdoor fires, our kids have been exposed to fires and learned safety rules from toddlerhood. Early on, we teach them never to get near a fire, and never to mess with matches or lighters. But, as our son approached his preteen years, he was demonstrating carefulness, capability, and a lot of interest in fire starting. We’ve continued to emphasize fire safety, but allowed him greater responsibility in building and maintaining fires.

For him, the rules of fire safety are now more focused on choosing a smart location when building a fire, helping his little sisters be careful around the fire, and making sure it is properly contained. It’s also important to know and follow local burning regulations wherever you are. Wilderness survival skills always include being aware, smart, and ethical about your choices.

Fire starting skills

Building a fire in a sheltered area with dry kindling is a great way to start. But wilderness survival takes fire building much farther. If you’re ever in an emergency situation and need a fire, you might not have ideal conditions for starting it. Bushcraft skills teach you how to use the materials you have on hand to create fire for heat, protection, and cooking. It takes practice to learn to build fires with wet materials or without a lighter, but it can be done. And it’s a fun outdoor challenge for a teen to learn!

Choose a proper fire location

To build a safe and efficient fire, find a location that is sheltered from the wind. Scrape away all debris, down to the dirt, in a wide ring around the fire area. If possible, build a stone ring around your fire to help contain it. (Use dry stones, since wet rocks can explode if they’re heated too rapidly!) If there aren’t any stones available, try digging a depression into the dirt or building a small dirt wall around the fire. Practicing wilderness survival skills always includes showing carefulness for the environment surrounding you. This includes keeping the fire contained and controlled.

Fire starting materials

Look for small twigs, leaves, or dry grass for fire-starting material. If it has been raining or snowing, try to find an evergreen tree. In wild areas, the lower, dead limbs of evergreen trees haven’t been trimmed away. Sheltered by the overhanging branches, they provide the perfect source for dry fire materials in a wilderness survival situation. If you’re having a hard time finding dry starter material, you can use a knife to shave one end of a dry stick to carve a “feather stick” (pictured above) to help light your fire.  

Starting the fire and choosing a firestarter

Ideally, your wilderness survival kit will contain some way to create a spark. A small lighter, waterproof matches, a magnifying glass, or a ferrocerium rod can all serve as fire starters. While some are easier to use and/or more reliable than others, part of the fun of developing survival skills is learning to start a fire with what you have on hand.  I think the dramatic sparks from the ferrocerium rod (shown above) might be the most exciting way to try to start a fire!

Once you have a flame going, gradually add small bits of dry leaves and twigs. Feed the fire slowly with lightweight materials until the flame is steady and strong. Be careful not to smother the fire or let the wind blow it out! With some patience and wilderness survival skills, you can have a strong fire to provide warmth, light, and protection in almost any situation.

3. Cover: shelter in the wilderness

The third C of wilderness survival is cover. If you’re ever stranded in the woods, injured on a hike, or caught in a storm, you need to be able to take shelter. Survival may depend on you knowing the most efficient way to use the materials around you. This is a great challenge for teens and tweens! Survival skills add a whole new dimension to fort building. 

First, look around for any natural cover. A cave, a crevice in a hillside, or a ravine can help provide shelter. But sometimes there isn’t a natural cover to be found. If you need to build a simple survival shelter, you can gather materials from around you and build this basic shelter. You need two stakes to drive into the ground, a ridge pole to run between them, and smaller branches to lean against them. The stakes determine the height of the shelter, and the ridgepole its width. 

Shelter building basics and tools

A hatchet really comes in handy for creating the point on the stakes, plus a notch in the top for the ridge pole. You can use the flat edge of the hatch to drive the stakes in or use a rock. Once you have your stakes set and the ridge pole set, lean the smaller branches against the ridge pole as thickly as possible. If there are evergreen trees nearby, evergreen branches make an ideal cover against wind and rain. But part of wilderness survival is learning to use what you can find. In the spring and summer, green leafy branches will also work. In the fall and winter, gather armfuls of fallen leaves to fill in the gaps in the wall.

The thicker you pile the branches and leaves, the better shelter you will have.  Even dried leaves provide surprisingly good protection from the elements. Being able to build a shelter is one more skill your teen will enjoy learning as he or she gains proficiency in wilderness survival skills!

Practicing wilderness survival skills

Although all these wilderness survival skills are helpful in an emergency situation, they’re also just a lot of fun to practice throughout life. The basics aren’t hard to learn, and there are many ways to continue to develop better bushcraft skills. From how to light a fire without man-made materials to creating a drinking container out of natural materials, survival skills can present endless new challenges and encourage your kids to spend more time outside.

So head outside with your teen, and see what skills you can learn together! 

Is your teen interested in wilderness survival? 

About the author

Leslie is an Ohio farm girl and chaser of light, children, and sometimes chickens. She’s a lover of Jesus, wife to her high school sweetheart, and a homeschooling mom of four wild rascals who love the great outdoors as much as she does. As a family, they love hiking, camping, fishing, and just about any outdoor activity. She and her husband are just beginning the process of building a homestead from the ground up, doing most of the work themselves. Leslie has a lifelong obsession with writing and capturing everyday life from behind the lens. Follow along with their homesteading, homeschooling, and everyday adventures on her Instagram account.

You can find more from Leslie in the following locations:
Instagram: @c_l_allofus
Client work: @lalvisphotography
Leslie’s RWMC posts:

• Animal Safety
• Raising Chickens with Kids
• Owling with Kids
• Homemade Apple Butter
• Dealing with Poison Ivy, Mosquitoes & Ticks
• Creating Nature Fairy Gardens
• Eco-Friendly Bird Feeders
• Getting Kids Outside During the School Year
• Pond Nature Study
• Maple Syrup with Kids
• Cattle Farm Chores

The post Wilderness Survival Skills for Teens and Tweens appeared first on RUN WILD MY CHILD.

Raising a reader

Benefits of reading

You can do anything for 20 minutes!

• Pre-K to Kindergarten 10-15 minutes a day
• Grades 1-3 15-20 minutes a day
• Grades 4-5 20-30 minutes a day

Adventure chapter books for curious courageous kids

10 outdoor exploration and adventure chapter books for young readers

Kondo & Kezumi by David Goodner

Why did my seven-year-old love these books?

The Wild Robot by Peter Brown

Why did my seven-year-old love this book?

The Minpins by Roald Dahl

Why did my seven-year-old love this book?

Bear Grylls Adventures by Bear Grylls

Why did my seven-year-old love this book?

S.W.I.T.C.H. by Ali Sparkes

Why did my seven-year-old love these books?

Pippi Longstocking by Astrid Lundgrin

Why did my seven-year-old enjoy these books?

The Boy Who Biked the World by Alastair Humphreys

Why does my seven-year-old like this book?

Alastair Humphreys’ Great Adventurers by Alastair Humphreys

Why did my seven-year-old enjoy this book?

National Parks of the USA by Kate Siber

Why did my seven-year-old enjoy this book?

Atlas Obscura for the World’s Most Adventurous Kid by Dylan Thuras & Rosemary Mosco

Why did my seven-year-old enjoy this book?

Reading strategies

Earn a Super Readers patch! 

Make reading fun

About the author

The post 10 Must Read Exploration & Adventure Chapter Books For Kids appeared first on RUN WILD MY CHILD.

Pumpkin science experiments for kids

‘Tis the season of the pumpkin. There are many clues that tell us that Fall is officially here. For some of us, we know that Fall is here because of the change in weather or leaves turning from green to brown. Well, in our house we know that Fall is officially here when we are suddenly surrounded by pumpkin–EVERYTHING.

There’s something about pumpkins that piques the interest of children and adults alike. They’re just fun. Do you know what else is fun? Easy-to-follow science experiments that you can do with your children.

So, why not combine the two and try some fun pumpkin science experiments with your kids? This post features simple and low prep pumpkin science experiments that I have done with my children. They absolutely loved it, and I am sure your children will too!

The bubbles, oh the bubbles!

Who doesn’t love bubbles?! There’s a really interesting science behind the making of bubbles that is fascinating to learn. If you want to turn this activity into a fun lesson I would suggest watching a few YouTube videos on bubble science for kids. My children especially liked Fun with Bubbles by SciShow Kids. Or, you could just get straight to the bubble blowing.

Did you ever blow bubbles in your drink as a child (even though your parents would constantly ask you to stop)? Well, the pumpkin bubbles experiment is just like that. What’s great about this experiment is that it is very low prep and aside from the pumpkin, you probably already have everything that you need for this activity.

How to make pumpkin bubbles

Materials needed are:

• Pumpkin (smaller pumpkins work best for this activity)
• 2 tablespoons dish soap (any brand will work)
• Straw
• Dash of water

Put the soap in your hollowed-out pumpkin and add a dash of water. Insert the straw and then let your children blow bubbles until they spill out the top of the pumpkin. 

Remind your little one to blow OUT and not suck in because a mouth full of soapy water is no fun at all. My son got a small taste of the soapy water and was not pleased.

Also, note that the quantities of the ingredients aren’t exact. Experiment with less or more soap/water to see if the outcome changes.

Pumpkin slime

Ok, I know that slime is like Voldermort ( I mean “He Who Must Not Be Named”) in some households. But, hear me out.  Can it be messy? Yes. Is messy play important to the development of our kids? Also, yes!

Making slime can be a lot of fun and promotes great sensory learning which is important especially for early learners. This pumpkin slime recipe is made with the fibrous strands and seeds from the pumpkin which gives it a cool textural feel that is unique from the typical slime. So, give it a try!

Here’s what you need to make pumpkin slime:

• Pumpkin guts (aka the seeds and such from inside your pumpkin)
• Clear glue (about two small bottles or 18 oz )
• Liquid starch (1 cup)
• Water (1 cup)

How to make pumpkin slime:

Scoop out the seeds and fibrous strands from your pumpkin and set them aside. Pour the glue into your empty pumpkin and then add the water. Add the pumpkin guts back to the pumpkin. Carefully, mix them together. Grab your liquid starch and it to the glue and pumpkin mixture slowly.

At this point, we mixed with our hands because it seemed easier. But, if stirring with a spoon works for you then go for it. Keep stirring or mixing with your hands until the slime begins to come together as one and is not sticking to your hands or spoon. If it is still sticky, add more liquid starch a tablespoon at a time until the right consistency is achieved.

That’s it! Now you have pumpkin gut slime!

Pumpkin science investigation

You’ll be hard-pressed to find a child who cannot recognize a pumpkin. However, opening a pumpkin up and discussing the parts of a pumpkin and the pumpkin life cycle make for a fun learning experiment.

You can take it a step further and have your kid(s) separate the seeds from the fibrous strands and discuss how they are different, but still work together. For this activity, all you will need is a pumpkin (a smaller one may work best for this purpose) and a knife to cut it in half.

It’s simple, but it is also a very interesting activity and allows kids to have a different perspective and perhaps a new appreciation for the pumpkin.

Pumpkin elephant toothpaste

In discussing pumpkin science experiments, this one reigns supreme. We love making elephant toothpaste because it is such a fun high-impact experiment. Doing the experiment in a pumpkin makes an already fun experiment that much more exciting!

The level of reaction that you will get from the combination of ingredients really depends on the type of hydrogen peroxide. We have done this experiment many times using the typical 3% hydrogen peroxide that you find in stores and the reaction was pretty mild (which is great for younger kids).

However, with this pumpkin elephant toothpaste, I opted for a higher concentration at 6%. The reaction was bigger than it has been before without being out of control. If you have not tried to make elephant toothpaste before I 100% recommend that you give it a try, it is such a fun experiment!

Here’s what you will need to make pumpkin elephant toothpaste:

• Hollowed out pumpkin
• 1 cup (4 oz) 6% hydrogen peroxide. I used a 20 volume clear developer (liquid) that I purchased from Sally’s Beauty Supply.
• Food coloring
• 6 tablespoons of  warm water
• 2 packets of active yeast
• ~ 2 tablespoons of dish soap
• Recycled plastic water bottle, jar, beaker, etc.
• Funnel
• Tray
• Measuring cups and spoons
• Safety goggles

How to make your pumpkin erupt

In your empty pumpkin place your empty bottle, jar, beaker, etc. I actually used a 2 cup measuring cup in our pumpkin, which worked perfectly.

 

Pour in the hydrogen peroxide. Add the dish soap and several drops of the food coloring of your choice. Pour the yeast in an empty bowl and add the warm water; stir with a fork for about 1 minute or until the yeast has dissolved.

 

Using a funnel, pour the yeast into the hydrogen peroxide mixture and step back and watch the reaction!

 

Please note that this reaction may be very hot and can irritant the skin. It’s typically fine to touch after it has had time to cool down, however, to be extra cautious you should steer clear of letting your little ones play with it.

Pumpkin STEM activity

While this activity does not call for the use of real pumpkins, it is an engaging themed activity nonetheless. Kids can channel their inner engineer as they build amazing pumpkin structures using two materials: pumpkin candy and toothpicks. That’s it!

At this time of year, pumpkin candy should not be hard to find. They are semi-soft and definitely related to candy corn. I purchased mine from Sprout’s Farmers Market, but I am sure they are available at other grocery stores as well.

I love this activity so much because as I mentioned, it is so engaging and encourages focus and creativity. My almost 5 year old spent a solid 30 minutes building his structure and was so proud of the end result. This is a great activity that can be recreated time and time again using different materials. The pumpkin candy can be swapped for marshmallows, candy peanuts, or any other semi-soft material. So, get building!

Don’t just be a pumpkin eater this season!

There are so many awesome pumpkin science experiments for kids. This is a great time to engage, learn, and have fun with an item that kids may only know as an ingredient for their favorite pie. So, which pumpkin science experiment will you try with your kids?

About the author

Lauren is a California native turned Texan, who loves to get out in nature and discover hidden gems all around the Dallas/Fort Worth area. She is a wife and homeschooling mama to three kids who definitely keep her on her toes. She truly believes in the value of homeschooling and that there are learning opportunities available all around us. In addition to homeschooling, Lauren is also an entrepreneur; she’s the co-owner of Crunchy Boutique (a natural-living/eco-friendly boutique). 

You can find more from Lauren in the following places:
Instagram: @crunchymamadfw
Facebook: @crunchymamadfw
RWMC Posts: Lauren Cain

The post Pumpkin Science Experiments for Kids appeared first on RUN WILD MY CHILD.

Eastern newts, in the juvenile red eft stage, are strikingly red-orange.

Teaching kids to love nature through sensory experiences

The cognitive, emotional, and physical benefits for kids spending unstructured time outdoors are well documented. And I am guessing you wouldn’t be on this website if you didn’t already believe in the wonders of time spent outside. But how do we get our kids to defy the allure of screens and seek more time outdoors?

What if we could help our children foster a personal relationship with the natural world? If our kids develop a passion for being outside, they’ll take more interest in leaving the screens behind. I’d argue the most long-lasting (and fun) way to encourage your child’s love for the outdoors is through complete and total immersive play. Our kids are sensory beings. They learn most easily when they’re having fun and allowed to explore.

In less fragile areas (and where you have permission), let them venture off-trail to experience the thrill of wandering and independent discovery. Let’s encourage them to literally delve in and make their own connections. Mother nature is tough, surely she can handle a bit of child’s play.

It may seem like it on the surface, however, I’m not promoting the abandonment of leave no trace (LNT) principles. LNT values have their place. But too, if all our kids are never granted the freedom to roam or learn as their little heart’s desire, how will they connect with the natural world? So, from time to time, seek balance. Let your child run wild and discover salamanders in their natural habitats.

Why salamanders?

I am sure some of you are wondering what any of this has to do with salamanders. Why should you discover salamanders with kids? Well, these adorable little creatures are a great means to actively engage and immerse your children in nature.  Salamanders are a mostly harmless, yet abundant, class of critters that your kids can explore safely (with supervision).

They’re also quite elusive. To have any luck finding them, kids will have to put in effort learning about their habitat, behavior, and activity. They’ll need to get out and trek through the animals’ natural habitats if they are to have the honor of eyeing one of these guys up close. Discovering salamanders could be your child’s window into the wonders of nature. 

Salamanders love fresh pollution-free creeks under tree canopies.

What are salamanders?

Salamanders are in the amphibia class along with frogs. Within the amphibia class, they are members of the Caudata order, meaning “tail” in Latin. Like other amphibians they are cold-blooded critters who (mostly) remain tied to water.

Salamanders either live wholly aquatic lives and/or lay their shell-less eggs in it. Their eggs hatch into larvae, which resemble tadpoles, and stay in the water until they metamorphosize weeks or months later. During this process, they grow limbs and tails.

Once mature, most salamanders are like lizards in shape. They tend to have elongated necks and bodies with lengthy tails. But unlike lizards, they lack claws and scales. In lieu of scales, they sport thin permeable skin. And instead of claws, most have adorable little toes. Though, some species lack legs altogether and tend to look more like eels.

Discovering salamanders can be a great introduction to your area’s local fauna.

Where do salamanders live?

Salamanders can be found all over the world, with Australia and Antarctica being the exceptions. But, they are most abundant in the northern hemispheres. Those found in the southern hemisphere tend to be in mountainous regions or the Amazon basin.

Like all amphibians, salamanders’ permeable skin makes them unable to survive saltwater. So, while salamanders do boast quite an impressive range (from nearly the arctic circle of Russia to Bolivia’s Andean Mountains!) they aren’t found in oceans, salt marshes, estuaries, or tidal creeks.

When teaching kids where and how to find these critters, they learn and discover about salamanders’ habitats.

Salamander diversity in the US

The United States is home to 186 distinct species of salamanders, which is about a third of the world’s salamanders! Though salamanders can be found almost anywhere in the U.S., four regions contain particularly high concentrations and diversity. The areas are the Pacific Coast; Edwards Plateau region in Texas; Ozark and Ouachita mountains in AR, MO, and OK; and the Southeast.

As a fourth-generation Tennessean, I was shocked to learn the American Southeast has the highest genetic diversity of salamanders in the world (who knew?!). On that note, all photos in this article are of salamanders native to the southern Appalachian region.

Salamanders come in all shapes and sizes, making each species a fun new discovery for children.

Salamander habitat

Salamanders are extremely diverse across species, including the habitats they call home. Some salamander species are aquatic and spend their whole lives submerged in creeks, bogs, swamps, ponds, rivers, or lakes. Others live in caves, freshwater seeps, terrestrially in forests, or burrowed within moist forest soil.

Many terrestrial species tend to return to the same water source each breeding season.  Some salamander species have been known to travel up to nine miles back to the vernal pond where they were born. Imagine traveling that far on teeny legs! After breeding, the new generation hatches and metamorphosizes within the water source. Then they find their way onto land.

Teaching kids about salamanders in their natural habitats gets them outdoors exploring and discovering.

Salamander size

In case you weren’t already thoroughly impressed with these under-rated amphibians, they also have huge variants in size. And I am not talking about a pound or two’s difference. While some salamanders only ring in at a couple of inches, others grow upwards of 6 feet and >60lbs! (I know, crazy right?!)

The Southeastern U.S. has a species called the Hellbender that can grow up to a couple of feet long (though unfortunately, they’ve become quite rare). The largest terrestrial species are members of the mole salamander suborder and endemic to North America. Some of these species, such as the tiger salamander, can be more than 8 inches long. However, most salamanders that you’re likely to find on your adventures will be less than 6 inches.

Salamanders come in all shapes and sizes. Discovering just how teeny they can be is fun! 

Salamanders are carnivores

Salamanders are carnivores from the larval stage through adulthood. Adult terrestrial species tend to consume a wide variety of invertebrates including millipedes, centipedes, insects and their larvae, snails, and earthworms. But large mole salamanders may go as far as to eat small mice, shrews, and snakes. Aquatic species feed on fish, crawdads, zooplankton, mosquito larvae, and even other salamanders.

Some North American mole salamander species, such as the tiger salamander, require only a few meals a year. Uniquely for cold-blooded animals, they tend to function better at lower temperatures. They’re able to conserve energy and go long periods between meals because they’re more active in colder temperatures. Some species go into a mostly dormant state in their burrows during the hot summer months.

Don’t discount toddlers! Kids of any age can explore their surroundings.

Salamander color diversity

There’s an incredible amount of body coloration diversity within the >575 known species of salamanders. They come in a myriad of colors, ranging from camouflaging browns, dramatic neons, and even translucent in some cave-dwelling species.

Biologists who study reptiles and amphibians believe the brightly colored salamanders evolved their beautiful tones as a toxicity warning to their potential predators. As shown in some of the photos within this article, the Eastern U.S. has some strikingly bright species.

Some eastern newts, in their juvenile red eft phase, are so bright they seriously do not look real.

Salamander toxicity

On that note, yes, some salamanders are poisonous. However, you must ingest the salamander for it to be of any harm. I don’t think this article will lead folks to run off into the forests to catch and eat salamanders, but let’s just throw it out there, *salamanders are not safe for human consumption*.

For all practical purposes, if your kids wash their hands after handling, they’ll be alright. However, it’s worth noting some of the larger species, namely Hellbenders, pack a mouth full of teeth and can bite. If you and your kids find the motivation to explore and discover these critters, you may want to stick to the smaller species.

Kids love hands-on discovery. As long as you and the kids are careful it can be a safe learning experience for all involved.

Salamander lifespans

If you’re anything like me, then you may equate a critter’s small size with a short life span. That’s not the case with salamanders. These typically small vertebrates have uncharacteristically long lives. Some span decades.

Hellbender lifespans can be upwards of 30 years, and spotted mole salamanders can live up to 20 years. There are accounts of giant salamander specimens in Japan and China living 60-70 years! With such long lives, I guess it’s not surprising that some species, like the eastern newt, spend years in their juvenile stages before metamorphosizing into their adult forms.

Aquatic salamanders are typically less brightly colored than their terrestrial cousins.

Salamander skin

Another distinctly amphibian characteristic is the salamanders’ skin. They sport thin permeable skin that must be kept moist. Even so, there’s a lot of diversity in how a salamander’s skin can feel. Some are mucous-covered and slimy. Others (especially juvenile newts called efts) feel more dry, bumpy, and granular.

Salamanders also differ across species in how they breathe or participate in gas exchange. Some oxygenate through their permeable skin, others through gills or lungs, and still others using a combination thereof.

Children love discovering and learning about the world around them.

Where to look for salamanders

One thing that all salamanders seem to have in common, is that they are very sneaky. Depending on species, they may burrow under the ground, logs, rocks, boulders, or leaf litter. With such a wide range, while you are out discovering salamanders with your kids it’s probably best to look up what species are native to your area and where they tend to reside.

Terrestrial salamanders

If your local salamanders are terrestrial, take to forests, especially on wet days. Once under the tree canopy, very slowly and carefully look under rocks, fallen logs, or freshwater seepage areas. Just take care to return whatever rocks or logs are moved. You may also want to research your native salamanders’ breeding seasons and seek out seasonal/vernal ponds.

If you do find a salamander, be mindful to not return the log or rock on top of the creature, as they can be easily crushed. One tactic is to return the rock or log first, then gently release the salamander next to where you found it. You’ll be amazed at how quickly their short legs can get them back undercover! If you and the kids are up for it, you can also go forest exploring on a rainy night when salamanders tend to be more active.

Aquatic salamanders

If your area has native aquatic species, go exploring creek beds, bogs, swamps, springs, and ponds. Aquatic salamanders are often easier to find, but harder to catch. They are faster than their land-dwelling cousins. The aquatic salamanders use their tails to propel themselves through the water like little missiles. They also tend to be more camouflaged as compared to the brighter colored terrestrial counterparts.

If you go searching in freshwater habitats, look under rocks near the bank or in creek beds. Lift the rocks slowly and carefully to limit siltation (murky water), which decreases water visibility. And just like you do for terrestrial species, take care to replace all potential cover back into place prior to leaving. Salamanders may be stealthy, but they need the natural cover of rocks, logs, of organic debris for protection and hunting.

Teaching kids from an early age about the environment gets them to care about conservation as they grow.

How to handle salamanders

When you are lucky enough to find salamanders, please take care in handling them. Their permeable skin makes them delicate and quite sensitive. Try to remember to wash your hands with soap and water before going out. Make an extra effort to not have any chemicals on your hands including sunblock, bug spray, sanitizer, scented lotions, or any other substances that could be potentially harmful to the amphibians. Many species breathe through their skin and need to stay moist. So, it may be beneficial to wet your hands before touching them.

When attempting to hold them, keep in mind that they can also be very fast. They will squirm and squiggle right out of kids’ paws if given the opportunity. Try to prepare your kids. You don’t want them to clamp down on the fragile critters should they make for an escape. A gentle loose grip is best.

For smaller kids, who may not have the dexterity to safely hold small salamanders, bring along a small cup to put them in temporarily. That way your child can see them up close without harming or overstressing them. After you all have gotten a good look, help empower your kiddos to be good nature stewards by releasing the salamanders right where they were found.

Of note: Some terrestrial species secrete a very sticky mucus when handled as a defense mechanism. The mucus tends to not wash off for a day or two, although in my experience it lost the stickiness within a couple of hours.

Bringing a small cup ca help small children explore salamanders more safely.

Salamander conservation

Scientists consider all amphibians, including salamanders, as sentinels or bio-indicators. This means that the health of an area’s species, or group of species, is considered an indicator of the overall wellbeing of that habitat or environment. This is because amphibians are extremely sensitive to environmental change. Due to this sensitivity, amphibian populations seem to be declining globally.

Note how camouflaged its skin is with its environment.

Salamander vulnerability

Salamanders, like frogs, lay unshelled eggs in water. Without outer shells, the eggs are easily damaged by pollutants, ultraviolet radiation, and other disturbing factors. It’s more complicated for terrestrial species who depend on vernal ponds to lay eggs, as seasonal water sources are being increasingly affected by climate change. And as mentioned earlier, salamander’s permeable skin also makes them quite fragile to chemical pollutants. They can’t survive in polluted waterways.

Even very young children can learn how to be gentle and respectful of small critters.

How to help salamanders

All is not lost; we can help protect these amazing creatures. There are simple things we can do to benefit salamanders no matter where we are.

• We can help by ensuring they have shelter. When you see rocks stacked into (unnecessary) “cairns”, dismantle them by gently dispersing the rocks. Removing rocks from creeks and streams to form stacks, causes over-siltation of the waterway and loss of protective shelter for salamanders and other little beasties like crawdads.
• Advocate against using salamanders for fishing bait, and for the humane release of Hellbenders caught by anglers.
• Collect litter we come across while out adventuring, especially trash you can reach at the edges of water sources.
• And if your family is really looking to be a force of change, investigate how you can engage in local habitat restoration efforts in your community.
• Last but certainly not least, help us spread the joy and wonder of these clandestine critters! The more folks know about them, the more folks will care, and the more likely we’ll be able to make a difference.

The more you expose kids to nature the more they learn about the interconnectedness of the world around them.

Cool salamander facts for kids

• Salamanders are older than dinosaurs! The earliest found fossil records of salamanders are more than 250 million years old. That’s 40 million years older than the first fossil records of dinos. That means these incredible creatures survived the great extinction events that killed the dinosaurs. No wonder some species (particularly in the cryptobranchidae family) look so prehistoric.
• “Salamander” is Greek for “fire lizard”. The name has its origin in the myth that salamanders can walk through fire. This myth came about in ancient times. People would often see salamanders as they crawled out from logs that had been thrown onto the fire.
• A group of salamanders is referred to as a herd or a congress.
• The axolotl, a native Mexican species, can regenerate missing limbs, eyes, gills, and some organs (cool, right!).
• Colloquial names for salamanders include snot otter, devil dog, lasagna lizard, walking fish, fire lizards, Allegheny alligators, mudpuppies, waterdogs, and baby dragons.
• The biomass of salamanders in America’s southeastern Appalachian forests is greater than all mammals and birds combined.

Teaching children about small creatures is also extremely adorable. Did I mention that yet?

Salamander fun for young children

Bring the outdoors in with salamander toys and books!

Salamander toys

• Beautiful handmade salamander toys by OutsideEverywhere.
• Salamander puppets are a good option too. Folkmanis has a couple options; a mud salamander finger puppet and axolotl.

Kids learn through play. So bring the outdoors in through toys!

Salamanders are beautiful creatures that can teach kids and parents alike so much about our local environments.

Children’s books about salamanders

• The Salamander Room, by Anne Mazer
• Big Night for Salamanders, by Sarah Marwil Lamstein
• The Great Smoky Mountain Salamander Ball, by Lisa Horstman

References

• Salamanders of the Southeast, 2010, written by Joe Mitchell and Mitch Gibbons
• https://animals.sandiegozoo.org/animals/salamander-and-newt
• https://www.handsontheland.org/environmental-monitoring/salamander-monitoring.html

How are your kids developing a passion for the outdoors?

About the author

Somer is a mama living in southern Appalachia. Somer’s motherhood journey began when her oldest daughter was born with severe congenital heart disease. Avelyn spent the majority of her 18 months of life within a pediatric ICU. Though she lived her life chronically critically ill, Avie was an incredibly loving and joyous child. After her death, Somer and her husband sought solace backpacking a section of the Appalachian Trail. Before long, they discovered their ability to cope seemed to correspond with time spent outdoors.

When it came time to add another kiddo to the mix, bringing the baby along was never a question. In an effort to celebrate the freedom provided by healthy bodies, Somer has hiked her second-born 2k+ miles. Even so, she doesn’t believe grand adventures are necessary to reap nature’s wonder. They just as often revel in mundane evenings in their backyard. The family believes it’s prioritizing time spent outdoors that’s important.

Professionally, Somer has spent the last decade caring for veterans on an acute psychiatric unit as a clinical nurse educator. Over the years she’s become a passionate advocate within the intersectional relationships of mental health, wellness, and the natural world. She truly believes there’s healing and strength to be found outdoors for those who seek it.

You can find Somer online in the following locations:
Instagram: @somerpickel

The post Discovering the Wonders of Salamanders with Kids appeared first on RUN WILD MY CHILD.

The importance of map reading

What do you do if cell coverage drops can you can’t access the map on your phone? What if your GPS information is incomplete? How will your kids know where to go (or how to get where they need to be) if they can’t read a map. Map reading skills for kids are important. They will help you and your kids gain confidence and have fun as you adventure outdoors.

Maps are an essential part of any adventure. While many people have come to rely heavily on GPS technology, the ability to read a map is an important skill for kids (and adults) to learn. Whether you head out on a family road trip, hit an unfamiliar hiking trail, or do a self-guided walking tour of a big city, you need a map! Technology has made it easier to get around, but it has certainly not eliminated the need to know where you are and where you are going. 

Learning to read and use a map teaches kids spatial skills. Spatial thinking and spatial awareness are some of the most important skills that students will develop as they learn how to read a map and about geography, Kids who develop robust spatial thinking skills will be at an advantage in our increasingly global and technological society. 

Learning to love maps

As memory serves, there is not one family vacation in my past where a map didn’t have its place. As my dad packed up the station wagon and my sister and I crammed in the back on our sleeping bag pallets (yes, it was the 80s), we set off to explore new places. Never once did we leave home without our trusty atlas full of every road map we would need.

Admittedly, my dad is a bit of a geography nerd. He loves to pass along his interest and skills to his kids. When the Chicago Tribune published its Geography Challenge Quiz each year it was a family affair. We all participated and we all looked forward to boasting with our tidbits of trivia knowledge. At the time it was just a fun game, but now that I’m an adult, I realize how useful those skills have been and how well they still serve me today. I’m always the navigator in the family. I have an excellent sense of direction and can grasp the context of a place more quickly than others. These are skills everyone can learn, even starting at a young age and building from there.

History of the map

Maps have journeyed a long way over the last 3,000 years. From the first written maps to what we now know as GPS (right in our pockets). The oldest surviving map comes from a clay tablet depicting Babylon at the center surrounded by the ocean. The purpose of this map was not for navigation, but for the map reader to place himself at the center with an idea of a bigger world around him.

The Romans created maps that were largely unrealistic, done to prove a point that their empire was cohesive. First attempts at realistic map-making came from Claudius Ptolemy who was keenly interested in giving lines (longitude and latitude) to distinguish areas. From that maps evolved as economies developed and empires expanded and contracted. Sea voyages that led to exploration and new land discoveries through travel-filled in details of how the world is shaped. Lands and bodies of water could be related to other lands. Fast forward to today and we can still find how maps are useful and helpful even with the technology we have access to.

Types of maps

Most of these maps can be placed into one of two groups: reference maps; and, thematic maps.

Reference maps show the location of geographic boundaries, physical features of the earth, or cultural features (such as places, cities, and roads). Examples of reference maps include political maps, physical maps, road maps, topographic maps, time zone maps, geologic maps, and zip code maps. Political maps are the most widely used reference maps. These are the types of physical maps that are mounted on the walls of classrooms and found in road maps. They show the geographic boundaries between governmental units such as countries, states, and counties. They show roads, cities, and major water features such as oceans, rivers, and lakes.

Thematic maps are different. They show the variation of a topic (the “theme”) across a geographic area. Examples of thematic maps include weather maps, income maps, and resource maps.

Making map reading for kids fun

Most kids will learn the very basics of how to read a map during their elementary school years. However, if you want to create a proficient map-reader, you will want to start young and then reinforce those map-reading skills when you are out in the real world with your kids. Children of all ages can learn about maps. It’s never too soon (or too late) to teach this fundamental skill. There are lots of creative ways to weave map reading into your playtime and outdoor adventures. 

You can start to teach map reading skills to kids as young as toddlers and continue to work on building those survival skills out of it as your kids move into the teen years. The key, like most educational things in life, is to keep it relaxed and make it fun. 

I am a firm believer that kids learn best via experience so this gives them a chance to explore and learn at the same time. Whether that’s incorporating maps in your outdoor adventures or using them to aid in fun imagination play with treasure hunts, geocaching, and scavenger hunts. They’re having fun, being active outside, and learning an essential outdoor skill. As a parent, you are rewarded with watching those skills develop and evolve!

Introduction to map reading skill (toddlers and preschoolers)

When your kids are very young, the best way to learn map reading is to start with books and pictures. When language is limited and concepts such as space and distance is hard to grasp, you can find other ways to introduce the idea of a map. Books are a great introduction to maps. By reading out loud to young children and showing them pictures of simple maps, they’ll begin to understand the concept that maps are a visual representation of a place.

Start with books like There’s a Map on My Lap and Follow that Map!, which use pictures and storytelling to teach fundamental map skills without kids even realizing it. A map book will begin to open up your toddler’s world and get their little sponge-like minds grasping that there is more beyond what they can see and experience.

Find pictures of maps that are beautiful and simple to keep the attention of younger kids. Point to where they are in that moment and then show them where Grandma or Aunt Jane lives so they can see the space between. The scale does not matter at this age, but toddlers can begin to understand place and space and distance.

Also, start using directional words around your young kids to establish a rich vocabulary around map reading. When you’re out walking (or even driving), note the direction you’re traveling so they get used to hearing North, South, East, and West. Ask them whether you’re turning left or right and help them figure that out. Point out landmarks, street names, etc. 

Practical applications for toddlers

As a way to reinforce some of what they have learned, try an activity with a basic treasure map. First, hide a small treasure in your yard or nearby park. Then draw a treasure map using only pictures and symbols. Use landmarks they are very familiar with like the swing set or garbage can or fence so they can follow along easily and not get frustrated.

Take advantage of showing your toddler maps as you travel or when you visit the zoo, etc. If you are open to involving technology, you can use Google Maps as a more interactive map activity. As usual with toddlers, keep it light and short to match their mood and attention span!

Map reading basics for elementary school ages

Kids in elementary school still love books, so continue to read aloud and check out books about maps from the library that they can learn from and enjoy at the same time. There are loads books that can help teach and establish basic map skills. For example, there are so many amazing National Geographic atlases, beautifully illustrated books with pictures, fun map trivia and activity books, interesting kids’ road atlases, interactive world atlases, state map coloring books, and more. Your kids at this age will learn more distinct map reading skills as they learn the elements of a map (see below) and how to use them. 

This is also a great age to introduce puzzle maps, globes, and maps of places they know (like their hometown) or want to know about (like Hogwarts). Let them check out Google maps to find their house and Google Earth to visit far-away interesting places. 

Basic elements of a map

The basic map elements of a map include title, scale, legend, compass, and longitude & latitude. Here’s an overview of map symbols, parts of a map, and how elements of a map will help your child learn basic map reading skills.

Title – The title lets you know exactly what the map is portraying. You definitely need to make sure you have the right map and the title helps you know that you have the best tool.

Scale – The scale gives you the ratio of a distance on a map to the corresponding distance on the ground. Maps are a tool to give relationship of where you are to where you are going. Map scale helps you decipher the tool and give context to what you actually need to do and how far you need to go.

Legend – A map legend defines the features of a map by displaying a symbol followed by a text description of what the symbol represents. It all begins to make sense by using the legend on a map. The map key is part of the map legend.

Compass –  Often also called the compass rose, the map compass is a figure on a map to display the orientation of the cardinal directions North, South, East, and West. The map orientation symbol allows you to understand how the map was drawn in relation to direction.

Longitude and latitude – The system of lines that describe the location of any place on Earth. Latitude lines run East and West while Longitude lines run North and South. 

How to practice map reading with kids

There are loads of map reading practice worksheets for your elementary student to learn how to use the map elements. You can find some like these maps and geography worksheets online. That’s fine to start, but I think the best way to learn is by bringing the map to life!

I suggest choosing an outside activity your kids enjoy that requires covering some distance — biking, hiking, or kayaking. Next, find a map that matches a location where you can do that activity. Study the map together and locate each of the main elements. Try to map out your route on the map and practice the distance with the scale. Make note of any landmarks that may you may be able to utilize.

Also, consider purchasing a large colorful world map or a large map of your home country (or city or state) that you can display on the wall in your home where you kids have easy access to it. Mark home and then begin making places you visit. Show the kids the distance, use your finger to trace the route you took to get there. Perhaps you can also mark places you wish to visit someday.

They can also practice making their own map. They can create a treasure hunt map (x marks the spot) or a scavenger hunt map for siblings or friends. They can draw a map of their neighborhood or plan out their route to school. Creating their own maps will help them conceptually visualize their area and think about spatial design, distance, the map key, and directions. 

Map reading skills for middle school ages (tweens)

Reading a map will become more and more natural the more practice your kids get. Tween map reading skills will be reinforced in school with greater detail in their geography curriculum, social studies, and history classes. This will further their study of map key symbols and basic concepts, as well as develop their depth in map reading activities.

At this age, for more exposure at home, I suggest helping to build their map reading skills through travel guide books. This may seem strange, but having your tween choose some destinations that intrigue him/her will capture the interest even more. All of the great guides like Lonely Planet Kids and Moon Travel Guides have map inserts for every destination they highlight. From detailed city maps to hiking trails within National Parks, these travel guide books will be another excellent practice tool. Finding a place or area that piques their interest and having them read about it is a fun way of teaching map skills that doesn’t feel like work. 

Tween map skills practice

If you have an outdoor adventure coming up, task your tween with some map research by giving them specific goals. Older kids love being involved in the planning process and having a say in what you do and where you go. There are fun and simple ways to put this desire to be involved to use in building map reading skills. For example, ask them to locate any interesting pit stops along a road trip route. Hand them a paper map and have them help plan the route from point A to point B during your road trips. Ask them to calculate how far your campsite is from the hike you want to do.

The main idea at this age is to foster leadership skills and build confidence as your tween ventures more outdoors. These are also opportunities to show your tweens how to be less tech-dependent. They need to know how to use a map when technology isn’t necessary or even possible. Technology sometimes fails, either because you’re in a remote area or maybe your phone dies. Developing your child’s map reading skills now will lead to a time when kids can use their map reading skills to help themselves and others, which will build and grow their independence and confidence. 

Map reading for teenagers

I truly believe that map reading falls under basic life skills for kids. By the time they reach their teen years, your kids should be able to identify the right map to use and know how to properly navigate their adventure. However, if your teen is not yet proficient at map reading, it’s never too late to learn new things.

It’s definitely never too late to practice and hone those skills. Every teen, whether introverted or extroverted is looking to establish themselves in the world. They are out to prove themselves capable. If your teen does not yet fully grasp the purposes and elements of a map, go backwards and start from where you need to (see the steps listed above).

You can assign practical map reading tasks to your teen based on their personality and interests. If your teenager is showing signs of leadership and wants to take charge, it’s time to let them fly. When you have a teen that is more reserved or cautious, you can encourage him/her to be the route planner. He/She can take a crucial behind-the-scenes role.  

Adding elevation to your teen’s map reading skills

During the teen years, you can introduce topographical maps and contour maps that show not just space, but the land relationship. Elevation is a big deal and very important to know and be aware of before choosing a hiking trail. You will want your teen to be able to read a map that has those markings. Contour lines will help you do this and learn about elevation. 

A topographic map legend will show natural features and include wavy-like lines that will extend from a peak. These contour lines let you know how much elevation gain there will be on a trail. Understanding how to read elevation on a map will help you determine if you can safely accomplish a hike. Maps provide guidance and navigation by showing what to expect and guide you in assessing specific routes. 

City streets and transportation maps

Another next step at this age can be very detailed city maps and transportation maps including an MTA subway map or a city bus route map. Knowing how to navigate around a city or plan out your transportation route is a very important skill for everyone to learn and great skills to teach teens.

One of the best ways to experience a city is on foot and using public transportation. So, this is an awesome opportunity to let your teenager take charge and exercise his/her maps skills. Study the map before you leave home and mark your lodging and main points of interest before you drop in. Note the places you’ll be traveling to and how you’ll get there. Being prepared gives your teen all the more confidence. 

Dealing with pushback

Sometimes it can be difficult to convince kids (especially teenagers) that map reading is a necessary skill. They will argue that they can just use their phones or the car navigation system. Much of the time that is true, but not always. Technology can fail. Phones can die. Knowing where you are and how to get where you need to go via an alternate method is imperative. 

Recently, our family was out adventuring deep in the wilderness areas of Olympic National Park in Washington. It’s an incredibly beautiful, dense, and remote location. It’s also incredibly difficult to get a cell signal for any aid on roads or trails in the area. There were quite a few times when we were unable to access maps on our phones or use our GPS.

I felt very proud that my kids had the life skills to use a map to locate where we started, where we are, and where we want to go. And while it feels nice as a mom to watch them figure it out, it’s even more meaningful to them. To have the confidence and the maturity to use a tool and trust that their practice led them to a place of security. It gave us all more confidence and independence when out adventuring. I promise you; maps are not dead. 

Other map reading activities

If you are looking for other outdoor activities to practice your map reading skills, check out Geocaching with Kids. Geocaching is a real-life treasure hunt, where you find small caches (filled with trinkets and prizes) using your GPS-enabled smartphone. It’s a great way to teach kids about map reading while having fun and getting outside.

Can you kids read a map?
How will your kids use map reading skills on your next outdoor adventure?

About the author

Jen has been married to her original adventure partner, John, for 20 years. She is a mama to 3 teenagers who, although they have busy and independent lives, love to adventure in the outdoors when they can. Jen is a native of Chicago, but has lived in South Carolina for two decades and calls it home. She’s always planning the next adventure for herself or her friends, whether near or far. Hiking, kayaking, sailing with her family, or traveling the world is all about the experience and the journey. Her extroverted nature keeps her talking and smiling with anyone she meets along the way. She’s on a mission to show other busy families that traveling with teenagers is possible and fun!

You can find Jen online in the following locations:
Instagram: @gofamilyadventure
Website: Go Family Adventure

The post Teaching Map Reading Skills to Kids: Toddlers thru Teens appeared first on RUN WILD MY CHILD.

What is STEAM?

Let’s back up a bit and dive into what STEAM is. Most people are familiar with the term STEM (science, technology, engineering, and math) which was introduced into the US educational scene back in 2001. The lesser-known acronym, STEAM (science, technology, engineering, art, and math), is essentially an extension of the same idea, with the addition of art. By adding art into the mix the concept becomes more well-rounded and provides children with many more opportunities to be innovative, creative, and inventive.

In fact, Left Brain Craft Brain shared that the inclusion of art is beneficial in the following ways:

• Art helps remove idea inhibition (there’s no wrong answer in art!).
• It focuses on the process which helps drive innovation.
• Art teaches the power of observation, of people and your surroundings.
• It helps hone spatial awareness and mathematical concepts like geometry.

Combining the elements of STEAM

This method is not simply ensuring children are receiving an education that includes all of these elements. It goes much deeper than that. STEAM is rooted in the idea that these concepts should be taught together and in ways that mirror real life. This learning focuses on showing how the concepts in different subjects work together to create a whole picture.

Shelley Brewer from STEAM Powered Family said it well:

Jobs in the real world are interdisciplinary. We need to educate children in how subjects integrate and work together. They need to develop diverse skills sets and a passion for exploration and growth. We don’t need children to memorize random facts anymore. We have so many facts at our finger tips now…Instead it [education] is about learning how to think critically and evaluate information. How to apply knowledge, research and skills to problem solve.”

STEAM activities and nature

As we’ve seen, STEAM education is really about asking questions, exploring, observing, experimenting, and predicting what will happen. If you’ve ever seen a child engaged in play outside, then you know that all of these things come naturally to children when they are outside in nature. Nature allows children the freedom to explore and observe what interests them in the moment. Then, they can follow-up on what they discovered with questions, predictions, or experiments. This is where parents can be the most helpful. We can watch our children focus on something and then ask questions and offer activities to further engage them and provide more information.

The best part is, we don’t even need to know the information to be helpful. We can model saying, “I don’t know,” and researching the answers. In fact, we should do this. STEAM’s philosophy is founded on learning in real-world situations, and researching answers to questions.

We can also read nature-focused books to our children or watch short educational videos to take that new real-life nature discovery and add factual information in an engaging way. Children love it when something they’ve seen in real life shows up in a book or video.

This is the beauty of STEAM and nature. They are fairly open-ended and flexible in how we learn from them. There are so many ways to integrate STEAM concepts and learning into everyday nature adventures. Below are just a few ideas for nature-inspired outdoor STEAM activities that take learning outside.

Taking STEAM learning outside

To help you get started, the RWMC Creative Team put together five nature-inspired outdoor STEAM activities for kids that are easy to do and will get you outside. While we used the subjects in STEAM to break the activities up, each activity integrates two or more of the other STEAM subjects. Those are listed with each activity to help give you an idea of how easy it is for these subjects to overlap and replicate real-world projects and problem-solving.

Here are five nature-inspired outdoor STEAM activities that each focus on one element (science, technology, engineering, art, or math) and also incorporate others to create fun and unique learning experiences for kids. 

S – Science

Nichole, from Lucky Wanderers is our resident science expert. She’s here to tackle the S (science) portion of the STEAM activities. She offers a couple different ideas on how to incorporate science into studying nature with children.

Science has always been near and dear to my heart. It’s the lens through which most of our homeschool studies pass through. The really amazing thing about science is that there are so many ways to study it! When my kids were very little, the easiest way to begin science studies was nature study. Nature study is preliminary botany and biology and a bit of animal sciences. It’s the process of noticing and learning the world around you, sometimes even right in your own backyard!

“We are all meant to be naturalists, each in his own degree, and it is inexcusable to live in a world so full of the marvels of plant and animal life and to care for none of these things.” – Charlotte Mason.

Nature study and journaling

Our nature study began with birds. We started by putting up a few bird feeders in our back yard, placed our bird guides right in our window and started a journal to keep track of what we saw. Each morning at breakfast we would throw open our window shades and be delighted at spotting Red Bellied Woodpeckers, Carolina Wrens, and even a few House Finches. My children were little so their journals were actually full of little drawings of what they saw. As they have grown, their drawings have become more detailed. We still keep track of what we see out that window. We studied migration patterns, bird habitats, and learned about the importance of providing native plants for our bird population.

The process of nature journaling begins simply, as a way to help stimulate observation in your children, but as they age you can dive deeper into the studies. Once we found a Polyphemus Moth in our backyard, which led us to journal it, labeling the beautiful eye spots, antenna, and other body parts. Curiosity then took us on a side study to figure out what it eats and why it was in our yard, along with the life cycle.

Over the years we’ve collected a nice pile of journals, filled with progressively more detailed drawings, of things my children have spotted on our adventures. When we get home, we pull out all of our nature guides, learning in detail about what we spotted. The journaling process makes it stick. Along with that they are working on their penmanship and sharpening their art skills. Nature journaling in of itself becomes a beautiful mixing of art and science, and you can be as detailed or as minimal as you want. There are no rules. John Muir Laws makes a wonderful book that can help get you started with nature journaling.

Technology also walks hand in hand with our science studies. We often use the Seek by iNaturalist app to identify things we do not know, while out adventuring. (More on this app below.)

Recently, we took our nature journaling to the microbial level. My kids were curious about soil and my microbiology loving heart couldn’t hold back my excitement. We learned how to make a soil suspension, I taught my children how to make a wet mount slide, and then stepped back and waited for the excited shouts when they discovered a nematode wiggling across the viewfinder. Through that experiment, we were able to take a look at our soil health, and maybe improve it. Which leads to a healthier garden and more botany studies.

It’s all about perspective and when you learn to look at the world around you with constant curiosity, you will see the interconnectedness of all the disciplines.

Primary STEAM subject: Science
Integrated STEAM subjects: Art and technology

T – Technology

Technology is everywhere these days and kids love all things tech! This generation has grown up hand-in-hand with technology and kids today are very adept at technology. While we certainly don’t want your child spending a lot of time in front of a screen, we know that technology is an important part of the world our children and growing up in.

And not all screens are bad and technology certainly isn’t the enemy. We think balance is important in all aspects of life and kids need to learn about technology, in addition to spending time outside in nature. There are lots of ways that technology makes it fun and easy to get outside and learn.

Today, to tackle the technology portion of STEAM, we’ll explore four different apps that kids (and parents) can use to get outside, learn about the world around them, and have fun! Each of these apps is a new and creative way to combine technology with getting out of the house and makes it fun for kids. The apps are used during outdoor activities such as hiking, stargazing, and general exploring. Best of all, they’re completely FREE!

Using apps for outdoor learning and exploration

Geocaching – Geocaching (pronounced GEE-o-cash-ing) is a real-world, outdoor treasure hunt and it’s so much fun for kids and families. Using a free app on your phone, you pull up your geocaching map, choose a cache near you, navigate to a specific set of coordinates and then attempt to find a geocache (container) hidden at that location. Geocaches can be found all over the world and almost anywhere you can imagine! Our family is obsessed with geocaching and we love finding “treasure” anytime we’re out at the park, in the city, or hiking.

SkyView – To help your child learn astronomy through stargazing, there are some really great technology tools, including the SkyView Lite free app. The SkyView star finder app can help your child find and identify constellations using your phone’s camera. You child can use this app to find her favorite constellations as they fade in and out while scanning across the sky, locate the Moon, discover distant galaxies, and witness satellite fly-bys.

Seek by iNaturalist – Seek by iNaturalist is a really great app that can be used to identify plants, flowers, fungus, and more in your area. This app is great because it can be used anywhere, is completely free, and incredibly educational. Anytime we’re out exploring, hiking, or camping and come across an unfamiliar plant, we can open the app, snap a quick photo, tag our location, and try to figure out exactly what the plant is. It usually gives us suggestions and we use our observation and deduction skills to identify the plant. Plus, we can learn all kinds of interesting facts about it and document our adventure!

Alltrails -The Alltrails app boasts that “the beauty of nature doesn’t need to be hard to find.” This free and simple app holds the largest online collection of hand-curated trail guides, so you can hike and explore the outdoors with confidence. Anytime and anywhere. It’s easy for kids to use, helps teach them about reading maps, terrain, and elevation. Plus, users leave lots of helpful feedback on trails about whether the trail is kid-friendly, where to park, what to expect, and other useful info.

Primary STEAM subject: Technology
Integrated STEAM subjects: Science (geography, astronomy)

E – Engineering

Engineering is the ability to apply scientific knowledge to solve real-world problems. Engineering is the practical application of more abstract sciences like chemistry and physics. Kids can use engineering to solve a variety of problems, from figuring out how to stack rocks or blocks without them falling, to building simple machines (like pulleys) to determining the best tool to use for a project.

Engineering challenges teach so many things to kids, such as critical thinking, problem-solving, teamwork, and how materials behave in different situations. Even the youngest kids can use engineering for hands-on, educational fun.

We love using natural items found outside to take our engineering challenges to the next level. Not all our projects turn out well (I’m particularly thinking of a “build a boat out of leaves” project we tried a few years ago that immediately sunk resulting in lots of tears). But sometimes the best projects are the tough ones, because they teach kids how to fail without giving up, how things work (and don’t), and practical problem-solving skills.

Engineering a bird’s nest

To cover the E for Engineering portion of our outdoor STEAM activities, Sara McCarty and her family tried their hands at building a simple bird’s nest out of natural materials they found around their neighborhood. Here’s what she had to say:

We started by collecting items that a local bird could find in our yard (no string, no glue). The kids loved foraging for materials and collected sticks, ivy, flowers, leaves, branches, and milkweed vines and seed pods.

Once we’d collected our materials, it was time to begin the process. We brainstormed different ways to form the structure of the nest. There were quite a few failed attempts before we figured things out. Trial and error led us to eventually using the ivy to form a circle and starting from there. Quite often we remarked on how extraordinary birds were because they could build strong beautiful nests without hands!

When the outline of the nest was ready, we used the milkweed vines to form the center and the bottom. Wrapping them around your hand created a circular nest-like shape, which the kids inserted into their ivy structure. We used sticks and twigs to support the nest and give it a little extra stability.

The final step was decorating the nest (adding a little ART to our ENGINEERING). I think the girls had the most fun with this part. They added flowers they found and pretty leaves. They broke open the milkweed pods and pulled out the fluffy seeds to create a nice soft warm bed for the birds. The kids took so much pleasure in making the nests beautiful and I was shocked at how pretty the nests ended up being.

Making the bird nests was so much fun! Honestly, it was a little harder than I expected it to be and I was worried that they wouldn’t turn out. However, I was blown away at how resourceful and creative the kids were. They never gave up. They kept trying. Even when the nests fell apart, they didn’t get frustrated or angry. When something didn’t work, they tried something else. They helped each other. It was an amazing experience for me to watch as a parent and I think both me and the kids learned something valuable.

Primary STEAM subject: Engineering
Integrated STEAM subjects: Art

A – Art

We’ve already talked a bit about the benefits of adding art into STEAM activities. Art is a universal form of expression, as elemental as speaking or singing. Kids are naturally drawn to art and love creating. Everyone can make art – even those without artistic talent or training. Art is a way for kids to express themselves and show their creativity and imagination. Art is an essential part of the human experience.

Being outdoors and in nature is the perfect place to observe and appreciate art. Nature is beautiful and kids can find a lot of inspiration by looking at leaves, flowers, plants, and trees. And just as kids can quickly pick up stories or songs, they can easily turn their outdoor observations of nature and the world around them into art. There really is no comparison when using your treasured nature finds to create works of art!

Foraged Animal Art

Filling you in on the A in STEAM with beautiful art made with foraged nature treasures is Tiffany, of @dear.wildlings. Tiffany and her kids foraged for items in nature and used them to create beautiful works of nature art by creating animals. Here’s Tiffany with more…

This easy and fun STEAM craft allows children to focus on their observation skills to pay attention to detail. It also utilizes fine motor skills to create nature scenes and animals. This is great for kids of all ages and doesn’t take a lot of pre-planning or work to do. 

While technically an ART project, you can easily incorporate a few other STEAM concepts to make it even more educational and fun for the kids. Add some science by discussing and learning about the kind of plants around your yard. Study and research the animals you want to try to recreate with your finds. Look them up in a book or online and learn about what they eat and where they live. Count the plants you collect, or how many you’re gluing on to your board with your children to incorporate more math into this activity. 

For this activity, you will need:

• cardboard
• glue
• a collection basket
• some beautiful nature finds

What to do: 

1. Go for a nature walk around your yard or your favorite local spot. Get outside, explore, and enjoy the fresh air.
2. Collect leaves, branches, berries, flowers, etc. The more variety, the better!
3. Glue all your nature goodies to cardboard to create animals of your choice. Let your imagination run wild!

Primary STEAM subject: Art
Integrated STEAM subjects: Science (biology)

M – Math

Nature and math go hand in hand so easily. With young kids, you can count acorns, pinecones, trees, rocks, leaves, and so much more. Once children enter elementary school, you can collect these same objects (or any others) and use them as math manipulables. Believe it or not, the majority (if not all) of elementary school math can be taught using nature. Check out Wild Math Curriculum to learn more.

We love integrating nature into our learning, and for us 

Nature snowflakes

Since winter is right around the corner and snowflakes capture the imagination of children everywhere, Katie Fox, of Family in Wanderland, is bringing you a Nature Snowflakes outdoor STEAM activity that reinforces the concepts of symmetry and patterns.

Since we travel in an RV full-time, holiday decorations tend to be primarily the art we create and are almost always inspired by or contain pieces of nature. So, creating nature snowflakes to hang up for the holidays and provide us with a little snow, since our planned winter route taking us nowhere near actual snow, was an easy choice. Plus, the activity helps emphasize patterns, which is something we’ve been learning this year.

For this outdoor STEAM activity you really only need some nature items and a place to create your snowflakes. This can be the ground outside, a table, or even somewhere indoors if the weather isn’t ideal for outdoor activities. If you wish you keep them and use them as decorations for the holidays or give them away as gifts, you can glue them to thick paper/cardstock.

The first part of the activity was gathering the nature pieces. I explained to my children that we needed a lot of each item and that we wanted each item to be about the same size. We gathered sticks, pine needles, acorn tops, fallen leaves, and acorns. I broke the sticks apart to make them about the same length, but my five-year-old was a champion at finding sticks that were very similar in thickness and leaves that were about the same size. 

My children insisted that snowflakes are white, so I brought out our white paint and we all spent a lot of time painting each snowflake piece. This is obviously not necessary, but was an impromptu addition to our activity.

Painting took up the majority of our time, so if you do not do that, this activity can be done really quickly. This was the three-year-old’s favorite part and he was a champ at painting the leaves.

The next step is to arrange the nature pieces into symmetrical designs. I made one as an example of what symmetry looks like, and then took it apart. Next I helped my kids out when needed, but gave them the space to try, ask questions, and even fail.

My five-year-old figured out how to create a pattern and make his snowflake look uniform. But, at first he struggled with spacing and consistency in design. I asked him questions like, “do you think your snowflake is symmetrical?” and “how could you get your snowflake to look the same on each side?” The three-year-old needed a little more help, but did pick the objects he wanted to use and helped lay all the pieces down into a pattern. 

There are so many ways these same nature objects could be used to create unique and beautiful snowflakes. I honestly had a lot of fun too, so I am pretty sure this activity would be a hit with older children and teens as well. There’s only one way to find out. Give it a try!

Primary STEAM subject: Math
Integrated STEAM subjects: Art

Taking STEAM learning outdoors

There you have it! Five nature-inspired outdoor STEAM activities that harness the power of education. Taking STEAM learning outside is not only an easy way to spend more time in nature, it also allows your children another way to see how interconnected the STEAM subjects are in their lives. And since this is a fundamental principle guiding STEAM learning, it makes absolute sense to combine the two.

Rosealind Franklin – a British biophysicist whose important contributions to the understanding of the molecular structures of DNA helped later scientists understand how genes are passed from parents to children – said it best: 

Science and everyday life cannot and should not be separated.” 

Which aspect of STEAM is your favorite?

Which of these outdoor STEAM activities
will you try with your kids?

The post Nature-Inspired Outdoor STEAM Activities for Kids appeared first on RUN WILD MY CHILD.

Nature-inspired literacy

In these crazy pandemic times, it is tough watching children sit for long periods, away from friends, and adapting to school on a computer. Most parents and teachers will tell you the same thing…kids should be active, socializing, and outside! One way to provide balance to a child’s day is to introduce nature-inspired literacy as a supplement to textbooks and tablet learning.

Literacy is an ability to identify, understand, interpret, create, communicate, and compute, using printed and written materials associated with varying contexts. Nature is a great learning tool and can be used to help kids grasp large concepts. Outdoor nature-inspired activities like tide pooling, stargazing, hiking, and biking have foundations in physics, astronomy, and geography. Using tools, materials, and resources while participating in a fun outdoor activity can help your child become literate in these complex subjects and explain things in ways children can understand and appreciate. 

Today, I’m going to show you how simple outdoor activities can help to expand your kids’ horizons outdoors and in nature. Here’s how to use tide pooling, stargazing, hiking, and biking to help cultivate nature-inspired literacy in children.

Teaching marine sciences and physics through tide pooling 

Tide pooling is an excellent activity to expose your child to marine science. Tide pools can be found in intertidal zones and they give kids an up-close experience with marine life. As tides recede, animals and algae are exposed in craggy rock pools at the ocean’s edge. Within these rocky crevices, kids can usually find sea urchins, sea stars, hermit crabs, sea anemone and so much more. In just one square meter of a tide pool, your child could find dozens of different animals, a remarkable display of adaptation and survival. How cool is that?

In order to teach your kids about the cycle of the tides, you’ll also want a basic understanding of physics. In particular, you’ll want to be familiar with the relationship between the gravitational pull of the moon and the Earth. If you need a quick primer, here’s the basic premise. The moon’s gravitational field is significant, and it causes the rise and fall of the ocean level as it orbits the Earth. When the Earth faces the moon, a tidal bulge occurs and it results in a high tide on the opposite sides of the Earth. When the face of the Earth is perpendicular to the moon, low tide occurs.

The best tool for making the most of a tide pooling experience is a tide chart. Tide charts contain data for local water levels, tide predictions, and other oceanographic and meteorological conditions. High and low tides both appear twice in a 24 hour day. Tides occur at different times each day depending on where the moon is in its cycle. Understanding how to read tide charts is essential for a tide pooling excursion. And it’s relatively easy to do. Kids will love using a local tide chart to help determine when to visit the tidepools. This will not only teach them about tides but about timing and lunar cycles, as well. 

A good source for information to learn more about the tides is the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration.

Teaching astronomy through stargazing

Who doesn’t love a starry night? What makes stargazing such a wonderfully fun activity is that anyone can do it. All you have to do is look up! Stargazing is an introduction to understanding the universe outside of the Earth’s atmosphere. It is also an excellent primer for the scientific field of Astronomy. 

Some 400 years ago, stargazing developed as a scientific pursuit. The Italian astronomer Galileo Galilei designed a telescope to enable the close observation of the night sky. The rest of his astronomical pursuits were groundbreaking. Gallileo’s credits include such things as being the first person to spot the four moons of Jupiter (a.k.a the Galilean moons), as well as his discovery that the surface of our moon contains mountains and craters. 

The best time to stargaze is on a moonless night. Once outside, close your eyes and count to 100 to acclimate to the dark. As you slowly open your eyes, stars will appear across the night sky. Stars are not the only things you can spot in the night sky. To differentiate all the lights in the sky, you need to know that stars twinkle and steady lights are planets. Other fun things to spot on a dark, moonless night are things like meteors (shooting stars), satellites, and aircraft.  

To help your child learn astromony through stargazing, there are some really great online tools. Stellarium is a free open source planetarium for your computer. It shows a realistic sky in 3D, just like what you see with the naked eye, binoculars or a telescope. Star finder apps like SkyView can help your child find and identify constellations using your phone’s camera. NASA’s Spot the Station Website gives you a list of upcoming space station sighting opportunities for your exact location. A constellation chart is another great resource for astronomy.

Keep in mind that while stargazing is easily done with the naked eye, binoculars or a telescope will enhance the experience.  We like this beginner portable telescope.

Teaching topography through hiking

Two super handy things to have for a hiking adventure are a good sense of direction and knowledge of your environment. Without these things, even a simple hike can go sideways. It’s always a good idea to carry a map to help you make sense of your position in the outdoors. However, carrying a map is only half of the equation. Your child should also know how to read one. This is a skill that many children are losing due to GPS access and phones. Teaching kids to read a map is a skill that any outdoor child should learn – it could save their life. 

Topographic maps are pretty standard fare amongst seasoned hikers. Topographic maps are graphic representations of natural and man-made features of the Earth’s surface. They show the shape of the land, lakes, streams, roads, and provide a complete inventory of the terrain, including elevation. When you know how to read a topographic map, you’ll have a better chance of locating a good camping site or water source, distinguishing main trails from minor ones, identifying trail connections, and estimating elevations. Each of these skills will help your child to be mentally prepared for a trek. 

Reading topographical maps requires practice. You’ll want to teach your child to understand how to decipher all of the technical information that appears on a map. In addition to reading a map, you may also want to teach your child how to use a compass. The pairing of map reading and compass reading will require basic navigation skills. If you need to brush up on your navigation skills, check out this great article from Backpacker Magazine to learn the basics of compass navigation. 

Teaching geography through biking

Did you know that there is a U.S Bicycle Route System? In fact, there are likely designated bike routes in your own cities and towns. If you’d like to go on a biking adventure outside of the neighborhood with your kids, then you will want to teach them the ins and outs of reading a bike map. Rest assured, the same map reading and route planning skills involved with hiking apply to bike riding as well. Again, being able to read a map is an important skill. 

It is worth noting that not all bike routes are the same. A bike map will distinguish between the classes of bike paths. A Class I bike path is a completely separated bi-directional right-of-way designated for bicycles. Class II bike lanes are striped lanes for one-way bike travel. Class III bike routes are travel ways for bicycles through a community denoted by signs). Finally, enhanced bike routes are a superior route based on traffic volume and speeds, street width, directness, and cross-street priority. Each of these bike routes results in different road conditions. Cyclists should know the difference between the types of routes as they are important for a bicyclist’s safety.  

Transportation planners take a holistic approach when mapping out bike routes. For that reason, you will often see bike routes integrated with public transportation. Knowing how to navigate these connections it is an added benefit of bike map literacy. For a peek at what the USBR’s National Corridor Plan will look like, once complete, visit Adventure Cycling. 

Make nature-inspired literacy part of your school day

Nature-inspired literacy is easily attained by taking the time to familiarize oneself with the charts, maps, and resources that are part of outdoor activities. By taking the time to learn how to use these tools, kids will learn more about the activities both in a practical and academic sense. As with anything, once you understand the concepts behind an activity, the more enjoyable they become. As parents and caregivers, let’s make the most of these unprecedented times and incorporate nature-inspired literacy into our children’s school days. Don’t forget to have fun exploring and be sure to tag #runwildmychild in your outdoor adventures!

Which of these activities would your child like the most?

About the author

Michelle spends her days working on projects to improve the quality of life for the citizens of her community and her nights reading books to her 6 year-old about every kind of dinosaur there ever was (there are 900 validated species, in case you’re wondering). Together with her son, Michelle created Wonder Club Explorers, a company to inspire wonder and curiosity in kids. She carves out time for herself on the weekends as an early morning exerciser and metalsmith of fine jewelry. She resides in Altadena with her husband and son amongst California Oak trees and a stone’s throw of the San Gabriel Mountains.

You can find Michelle online in the following locations:
Instagram: @wonderclubexplorers
Website: www.wonderclubexplorers.co
RWMC posts: Michelle Garrett

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