Easiest Outdoor Spring Activity For Kids
The Easiest Outdoor Spring Activity For Kids that will give you endless sparks for learning is the art of turning over rocks and rolling logs! I will give you 5 simple tips for making each outing an adventure and a success. I take the guesswork out by giving you kid-friendly facts that will give you the confidence to guide your class or kids on your spring nature walk. This can be in the city, suburb, or the country. You don’t need to be deep in nature to get outdoors to learn and get connected to nature and get fresh air.
Outdoor Spring Activity: Looking under Rocks and Logs
Yesterday was the Worm Moon so I thought this was a perfect time to chat about the lost art of looking under rocks and logs. The March full moon is called the “Worm Moon.” It gets its name from the earthworms that appear when the soil warms in spring, according to Farmers’ Almanac. … It will be the fourth closest full moon to Earth in 2021. Now Fortnite or any other technology has nothing on the anticipation of turning over rocks and logs and in the excitement category. So if you are a parent or teacher, make time this spring for some rock turning and log rolling.
Nature’s Agenda
Now I am going to tell you when I first starting teaching outdoor, I had no idea what all was living under logs and rocks. But I quickly learned it was a jackpot and a treasure hunt all rolled in one. Outdoor learning in Spring in Indiana is magical and sometimes turbulent. We had an ice storm, flooding, and now 55 degrees and sunshine all in the same week. This provides many learning opportunities and requires going with the flow. So remember every weather provides a different learning experience, so don’t be afraid to let nature’s agenda and students’ excitement lead your lessons.
5 Tips for Outdoor Learning Success
- If you have a reluctant little explorer give them thin gloves to help give them a safety blanket if you will. They will start with the gloves, but after a few goes, they will not need them.
- Flip the rock or wood towards you so that our little critters can escape if need away from the children. This will help with the beginner freak-out session.
- Always return it just where you found it. Our rule is to leave an area just like we found or better.
- Kids are watching us to see how they should feel. Kids follow our lead and they are watching for our excitement and our fears. So your first reaction but be so say “Yuk look at all those creepy legs!” but what could come out of your mouth is “Wow, check out all those legs!” My first instinct might be “OOOOH run!” But you will say, “Oh my, look how long that worm is stretched out.”
- Know your basic facts. Here is a list of some of the wonderful critters you will probably find on this spring treasure hunt. Now this will change depending on where you live around the world, but here is what we have in the spring where I live.
Little sprouts
Mud
Worms
Pill bug
Slugs
Snails
Millipede
Centipede
Spiders
Ants
So if this list freaks you out, don’t let it. Learn right there with your kiddos. Get excited and hide your fears and your students or kids will be so pumped and so much learning can spark from the simple task of turning over rocks and logs. If you want to take the guesswork out of your spring nature walk, grab my Spring Nature Walk Adventure Pack today.
Stay Well & Go Get Outside,
Elizabeth
