Spring is here, and it is the PERFECT time to get outside and soak up some sunshine. It gets kids moving and getting out those wiggles, as well as, letting them learn about God’s amazing world!
5 Spring Challenges to do with your kids
Each of these challenges require NO curriculum, and can often be done into your yard for FREE.
Challenge #1: Flower Power In this challenge, ask the kids to look for different types of flowers. Observe, count, or record the number of petals on each flower you find.
Optional Math Connection: Make a graph to show your results. Share with grandparents or invite neighbors to add to your graph with what is in their yard.
Challenge #2: Leaf Variety In this challenge, your kids are to take photos of different types of leaves they find. For older kids, they can classify the leaves into group of trees, shrubs, or plants. Discuss how the leaves are alike and different.
Optional Language Arts Connection: See how many adjectives you can think of to describe each leaf.
Challenge #3: Bark up the Right Tree In this challenge, kids are to observe the different types of tree bark they find. Then, come back together. Each person can give clues about the bark of a particular tree. When someone thinks they know the tree, they run and stand under it.
Optional Science Connection: See how many trees you can learn to identify by both the tree bark and leaves.
Challenge #4: Don’t bug the bugs In this challenge, invite the kids to observe how many bugs or critters they can find in your yard, but leave them where they are found. Make a list of the bugs you find OR keep a tally of how many of each bug is observed.
Optional Challenge: Alphabetize your list of bugs (language Arts). Create a pictograph to show your tallies of how many of each bug you found (math).
Challenge #5: See what is Springing up In this challenge, your child is going to be a detective to find evident of newly sprouting plants in your yard. This is especially fun in vegetable or flower gardens. However, even dandelion weeds can be evidence of new growth.
Optional Math Challenge: Choose 2-3 plants and track their height over the next few weeks. This is a great opportunity for kids to measure in both standard and metric units, too!
What other ways does your family explore the outdoors? Let us know in the comments!
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