On Your Own Programs
Programs to do on your own outside without a librarian.
Some are found on the library grounds only, some can be done at home.
Some are found on the library grounds only, some can be done at home.
StoryWalk
Tuesdays 11:00 - 4:00 Follow the path behind the library for a great outdoor story and a relaxing walk. This is held when weather and conditions allow. Please call before visiting. Please remember to maintain social distancing when visiting. Story-Boxing
daily, during daylight hours An outdoor letter-boxing adventure story. Enjoy a fairy's nature adventure. This activity combines a story with an outdoor stamp search and find. Download the story brochure here. Please remember to maintain social distancing when visiting. Great Gnome Hunt
daily, during daylight hours A few gnomes have moved into the garden. These fun little fellows with their unique hats are keeping watch over out plants and keeping a close eye on those plant eating creatures. How many of them can you find? Interview with Mother Nature
This journal exercise is great for those kids who have an interest in writing. Pick something that belongs to mother nature (it's best to pick something that isn't going to move a whole lot but if you do remember you only have a short period to study it). Now get to know that item using our senses. How does it feel? Does it make noise? What does it look like? Once you've gotten to know your item pretend to interview it. Click here for interview questions if you need some inspiration. Right down the answers you think your item would give. For more inspiration on observing and writing about nature click here. Build a Terrarium
From KidsGardening.org Build your own little natural world in a jar. For instructions visit Kids Gardening website by clicking here. Scavenger Hunts
Scavenger Hunts are a great way to be interactive with nature. Try making your own or try these pre-designed ones. KidsGardening.org Nature Scavenger Hunt Mass Audubon Neighborhood Scavenger Hunt RI Audubon Sensory Scavenger Hunt Pollinator Journal
Discover more about nature's essential workers: pollinators. Who are they, what do they do and how can we help them? In this activity you'll be observing the garden visitors and discovering what attracts them to the garden? Is it the purple flowers? The red? What do they do inside each flower? Do they stay any longer at on or the other? Use your journal to keep track and learn all about these little helpers. To find out more about this activity visit KidsGardening.org by clicking here. To download KidsGardening's Pollinator Journal and learning guide click here. |
Fairy Walk
daily during daylight hours The fairies are back! Visit your favorite doors and discover new ones. Download our fairy brochure here. For a complete list of doors, old and new, click here Please remember to maintain social distancing when visiting. Nature Walk
This is just like any other walk or hike that you would go on, with the exception that every so many paces you need to stop and look around. When you stop remember to not only look around you but look up and look down. See the things that are over your head and under your feet. If necessary and possible get up close and really look at things. Look at the leaves, flowers, moss and try to notice things you have seen before. Ask questions (its okay if you don't have answers you can always find out at the library). Take a nature sheet with you to jot down the things you want to find out, remember something amazing. You can get a nature sheets here. Nature Journal
A nature journal combines writing, drawing, observation and thoughts and feelings. Its a way to express yourself as you feel in the moment and remember what inspires you. For more on how to nature journal click here. You can also be inspired by published nature journals by visiting our book lists. Backyard Bioblitz
From National Geographic. Explore the life in your backyard. Be a scientist and do an inventory of all the living creatures in your yard. For instructions and species identification card, visit National Geographic's website by clicking here. Or visit KidsGardening.org for a Wildlife Inventory Build a Garden Map
Whether you want to lay out a new garden or map our current garden, this is a great activity for drawing, math and spatial skills. You could draw or make a 3D model. It could be simple or for older kids take it a step further and learn to draw to scale. For more information on creating a garden map visit ThePinkWheelbarrow.com by clicking here. Apple Bird Feeder
Materials: 1 apple (best with stem), 1 cup of peanut butter or vegetable shortening, 2 cups bird seed, 1 piece of cording, bowl, spoon Directions:
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Nature Games
Micro Hike
The best way to explore the world of an insect is to take a micro hike. You will need string, scissors, magnifying glass (optional), piece of paper, writing instrument. First cut the string the length of the person taking the hike (use the string to measure head to foot and cut). Then lay the string down anywhere on the ground - in the grass, in a garden, among some trees. You can make the string straight, let it curl, however you want. On the piece of paper draw a layout of how your string is laid out. Now let's go on a hike - get down your hands and knees and follow the string. Look at the grass on both sides of your string, use a magnifying glass, feel free to move the grass aside or lift a leaf. When you find something you think is interesting mark it on your paper about where you are on your string. What did you see? Did you see any insects? What were they doing? Continue this all the way to the end of the string. For more information and activities visit Nature Passport here Proboscis (The Nose) Game
This guessing game is so much fun. It starts with general clues that could be any animal and as they progress the clues become more specific until the answer is obvious. Now to guess the animal you don't shout out the answer instead if you think you know the answer you put your finger on your nose. If you've guessed wrong find a way to cover up having your finger on your nose but scratching your chin, or cover a pretend cough. Sometimes its just as much fun covering up a nose signal as it is guessing the right creature. To access the clues we've created click here. Hint all our creatures can be found in gardens. |
Camera Game
This game requires 2 people. One person is the photographer and the other is the camera. The photographer leads the camera (who has their eyes closed) on a search for images they wish to capture (remember). They carefully position the camera to see just what they want. Then tap the camera twice on the shoulder at which point the camera opens their eyes and studies what they've been pointed at. The photographer must silently count to three and then tap the camera on the should again making the camera close its eyes. The move onto another picture. While walking it is best to be quiet only talking to make sure the camera is carefully led. After 3 or 4 pictures stop and have the camera draw what it remembers seeing of each picture. Is it what the photographer thought the picture would be? Now trade roles. Sensory Hike
Take a hike, but instead of just looking at things, use your senses other than your eyes to appreciate where your going. Can you hear the crunching of the trail beneath your feet, feel the wind on your face, hear the sounds of creatures moving, touch how a tree feels or a brush of a bush. If you need you can print out or sensory hike bingo chart to take with you to help you remember to use more than your eyes just click here. Sound Map
Materials: an undisturbed place to sit, paper, pencil/pen. Find a comfortable place to sit. On you piece of paper place an x in the center. Now sit with your eyes closed and listen. What sounds do you hear? Are they to your left or right? behind or in front? When you hear sounds take just a peep at your paper and mark it on your map where you heard the sound. You can draw it or just write it. Then close your eyes and return to listening. You've just created a map of this place using sound. |
For more games like these try these books:
Sharing Nature: Nature Awareness Activities for All Ages by Joseph Cornell, Crystal Clarity Publishers:California, 2015 (visit Nature sharing online here)
On the Nature Trail by Kathleen Yale, Storey Publishing: Massachusetts, 2018
Sharing Nature: Nature Awareness Activities for All Ages by Joseph Cornell, Crystal Clarity Publishers:California, 2015 (visit Nature sharing online here)
On the Nature Trail by Kathleen Yale, Storey Publishing: Massachusetts, 2018
Library Programs to Go
Soil Stories
Dirt, it's great for digging but have you ever wondered about what dirt really is? Through these stories and activities you'll discover why dirt is so great Butterfly Life Cycle
Learn the life cycle of the butterfly. Raise a caterpillar into a butterfly with your own home-made butterfly house and discover the joy of releasing a butterfly. Buzz on Bees
Are you afraid of bees? You shouldn't be, come and discover the amazing things about these incredible insects. |
Seeds in Soil
Explore the power of seeds. From something so tiny can grow something amazing! Have you ever wondered how? Let's find out! Wriggling Worms
Discover earthworms, the underground soil movers. Learn all about worms and whey they are your garden's best friend |