Skip navigation

Resources

Family Activity Pages

Forests are places where you can strengthen family bonds. These activities will help you teach children how to appreciate and understand the natural world around them. Chances are you’ll also have fun watching your child’s face light up with wonderment and curiosity.

Note: These activities are modified from our PreK-8 Environmental Education Activity Guide.

Activity 2 - Get in Touch With TreesActivity 2 - Get in Touch With Trees

By way of neighborhood trees and a mystery box, children will explore their sense of touch and discover different shapes and textures in nature.

Early Childhood Activity 6: Evergreens in WinterEarly Childhood Activity 6: Evergreens in Winter

Evergreen trees offer a sensory overload! Through these experiences, children will touch, smell, see, hear, and taste the season of winter. Consider trying these experiences year-round in areas with our without snow.

Activity 12 - Invasive SpeciesActivity 12 - Invasive Species

Throughout history, people have intentionally and unintentionally moved plants and animal species to new environments. Some of these species have proved beneficial, but others invade natural habitats causing environmental and economic harm.

Activity 13 - We All Need TreesActivity 13 - We All Need Trees

Children are often surprised to learn how many different products we get from trees. Use this activity to help children learn just how much we depend on trees in our daily lives.

Activity 21 - Adopt a TreeActivity 21 - Adopt a Tree

In this activity, children "adopt" a tree, deepening their awareness of individual trees over time and encouraging a greater understanding and appreciation of their local environment.

Activity 22 - Trees as HabitatsActivity 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 LogActivity 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 25 - Birds and WormsActivity 25 - Birds and Worms

In this activity, students will discover the value of camouflage as they pretend to be birds in search of colored worms.

Activity 45 - Web of LifeActivity 45 - Web of Life

In this activity, children will learn about food webs, discovering the many ways that plants and animals of a forest ecosystem are connected.

Activity 61 - The Closer You LookActivity 61 - The Closer You Look

All children, no matter their age, have an idea of what a tree looks like, but many are unfamiliar with the actual structure of a tree. In this activity, children will go outdoors to take a closer look at trees and their parts.

 1 | 2