Exploration & Projects
Projects promote scientific exploration, inquiry, and a deeper understanding of our natural world. The activities can be on-going or one-time events that can be repeated. These projects are ideally suited for the outdoors but often mention an indoor modification.
Spider Web Hunts
Search for sneaky spider webs. Using a spray bottle with water, spray gently and watch the web design come alive.
Ages 5+ ~15min+
Six of One, Half Dozen of the Other
Use your senses to find and classify contrasting objects.
Ages 8+ ~30min
Sheet Shake
Use a sheet to explore just how much life can live in a backyard bush or shrub.
Ages 5+ 15min+
Sensory Explorations
Explore your senses in the garden with sound maps, blind taste testing, and collecting/sorting found objects.
Ages 5+ 30min
Seed Spheres
Make spheres out of mud and native flower seeds. Dry them in the sun, and then toss them out to fill an area with native flowers.
Ages 5+ ~30min+
Rainbow Chips
Explore your yard or nearby outdoor space for all the colors of the rainbow. Use paint samples or other color chips as a guide.
Ages 2+ 15min
Pollinator Observations
Use a tally sheet to observe pollinators visiting a flower. If you want to be a “citizen scientist” upload your data to the Great Sunflower Project.
Ages 2+ ~15min
Nature Journaling
Create garden journals and use them to record observations of nature in the garden, through drawing, writing, and painting.
Ages 5+ 30min+
Little Munchkins
Pretend you have shrunk to the size of an ant and imagine the world from that perspective!
Ages 5+ ~15min+