Family Activity Pages
A collection of activities for families to use in the outdoors
The American Tree Farm System has teamed up with Project Learning Tree in helping young people gain an awareness of the world around them and their place within it. Blending a walk in the outdoors with a fun and engaging PLT activity creates a powerful learning experience for children of all ages. By reading books in the setting the story takes place, engaging in a “Who’s Who” activity with the children, or by simply planting a tree, sharing your excitement to be outside on your Family Forest might just be the key needed to keep the future generations passionate!Take your children, grandchildren, neighbors' or friends' children outside and try one of these activities.
Activity 22 - Trees as Habitats
From their leafy branches to their tangled roots, trees provide a habitat for a host of plants and animals. In this activity, children will inventory the plants and animals that live in, on and around trees, discovering how plants and animals depend on trees in many ways.
Activity 23 - The Fallen Log
It’s amazing how many things live in and on rotting logs. In this activity, kids become familiar with some of those organisms by observing fallen logs. They’ll gain an understanding of how decomposition takes place and a better appreciation for microhabitats and communities.
Activity 64 - Looking at Leaves
In this activity, children will take a closer look at leaves and find out more about leaf characteristics and how leaves can be used to identify plants.
Activity 65 - Bursting Buds
In early spring, the tiny, bright green leaves of many trees burst forth. Where do the leaves come from? How do they form? In this activity, children will find the answers to these questions through observation and research.
Activity 76 - Tree Cookies
One way to learn about tree growth is to look at annual rings. Tree rings show patterns of change in a tree’s life as well as changes in the area where it grows. In this activity, you can trace environmental and historical changes using a cross section of a tree, or “tree cookie.”
Activity 78 - Signs of Fall
In this activity, children look for signs of autumn. They observe the annual change of seasons, and investigate why leaves of deciduous trees change color in the fall.
Please visit the following websites for more information and activites:
-Learn Outside
-Project Learning Tree
-Note: These activities are modified from Project Learning Tree's PreK-8 Environmental Education Activity Guide. The PreK-8 Guide can be obtained by attending a Project Learning Tree Workshop. For more information on how to attend a PLT workshop please contact your state coordinator by Clicking Here.
|
