(1) From each window in your home, count how many different kinds of trees you can see. Call a friend and ask them how many different kinds of trees they can see from each of their windows.
(2) Record what you notice that's different about each tree that you can see. What colors are they? How big are they? What kinds of leaves do they have?
(3) Choose one of the trees you can see that you want to learn more about. Using a smartphone, computer, or guidebook, try to find the name of the tree you chose. What else can you learn about this tree? Is it native to the area where you live? Does it grow in other parts of the country? How does it reproduce? What kinds of animals rely on it for food or shelter?
(4) Call your friend again. Without using its name, describe the tree you chose, and see if your friend can find one of the same kind!
(1) Pick a spot in your house where you can see outside, or where light from outside can come in.
(2) Visit that spot 3 to 4 times a day; once right when you wake up, once at midday/lunch time, once as the sun is setting, and once when it's dark out.
(3) Using paper, pencils, markers, crayons, colored pencils, paint, etc., sketch, draw or paint the spot that you see. Compare your drawings across the day; what changed over time? What did you see at one time of day that you didn't during the other?
(4) VARIATION: Take a picture of the same spot in your home at these same times. Use the pictures to make comparisons.
(1) Gather old magazines or newspapers and a pair of scissors
(2) Look through the magazines and newspapers to find words that have to do with nature. Have each family member make their own collections.
(3) Cut out each word you find.
(4) VARIATIONS: (a) Compete! Who can find the most words in 5 minutes? (b) Hunt! Select a "magic" word that earns a participant an extra 25 points, if found. 10 points for every other nature-based word found. (c) Share! Once you've found words, share which one you like the most, or why you felt that the words you chose were related to nature. (d) Create! Write a poem using all or some of the words you found. Or, create a collage using paper and glue with the words you found.
(1) Using a piece of paper and pen/pencil, or an electonric memo, make two lists. Label one list "from nature" and the other side "not from nature".
(2) Walk through each room of your home and observe items in each room. Write down if you think each item is made of things that come from nature, or if the item is made of things that are not made from nature. For example, toilet paper; is that from nature or not? A silicone spatula; is that from nature or not? A wooden table; is that from nature or not?
(3) Using a smartphone, computer, or encyclopedia, research the "ingredients" in each item you listed. Record which "ingredients" come from nature and which do not.
(4) VARIATION: Look up the specific brands of items in your home and try to see where the item was made and how.
(1) Look inside your refrigerator.
(2) List all the things you see on a piece of paper or using an electronic "memo".
(3) Using a smartphone, computer or encyclopedia, investigate which items in your fridge can be found in your town. Which can be found in your state? In your country? Which items can only be found in other countries?
(4) VARIATION: Try to see which item in your refrigerator had to travel the farthest to get to you.