Nature based activity for K-3:
Signs of spring observation walk and related activities
Subjects and skills: science, observation, writing, drawing, math, cooking, art, reading
Supplies needed:
Clipboard and paper OR notebook and pencil or pen, crayons or colored pencils
Bucket for collecting nature items
At home: cooking supplies for making birds nests.The recipe is called Butterscotch Birds' Nests
(Haystacks) and is available online.
Take a walk with your child/children. Have them observe what they see on their walk, and write
about them, or observe, draw and label signs of spring, depending on their writing skills.
Encourage younger children to write the letters that stand for the sounds in the words including
vowels.
Your child/children can sketch a picture/pictures of one or more of their favorite findings, color
and label it/them.
Have your child write a few sentences perhaps 3-4, about their sketch including the object's/
objects' name/s, what they observed about it/them, it's/their habitat, and what they think it/they
eat.
Read books about some of the items observed on your walk.
Research items and create a booklet about them including a fun fact on each page. Child can
illustrate pictures or if preferred, print pictures off the internet and glue in the booklet near the
text.
S/he can collect acorns, pine cones, sticks, tiny rocks, etc. and create something out of them at
home. CAUTION: feathers are nice to observe with the eyes, but be careful not to touch as they
can carry diseases.
Cooking: create Butterscotch Birds' Nests (Haystacks) You can substitute chocolate chips for
butterscotch if preferred.
Enjoy!
**Project Learning Tree has FREE resources for K through middle school age learners available
at plt.org. Part of their mission is to "use the environment to engage children in learning- both
outside and indoors."
Art Activities
Taken from Scribble Cookies by MaryAnn F. Kohl
Watercolor Salt:
Materials:
1. white glue in bottle
2. watercolor paint box with brush
3. jar of water
4. any paper-white is effective
5. salt in spout container
6. empty cup
Process:
1. "draw" with white glue from bottle
2. pour salt on glue drawing
3. pour extra salt from drawing or into a cup to be used for other drawings with glue
4. paint salt and glue with watercolor paint, using a minimum of water
5. rinse brush between colors if you wish
6. allow to dry
Variations: 1. brush glue onto paper from a dish for a variety of line widths and thicknesses 2. very effective for rainbows and sunsets 3. experiment with watercolor salt on other surfaces such as wood and cardboard
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