An excursion into the forest

Austria is known for its large number of woods. It offers a lot of activities for outdoor-learning with children. Here are some games and activities for inspiring kids for nature phenomena:

Leaves-detectives

Every child has the exercise to find two leaves, which are similar in each form and colour. 2 – 3 children can build a group and go for a search.

After a short time, the class comes together again. Now they are comparing, if any group has found two similar leaves. For sure, the kids won’t find similar leaves. So the teacher can explain that every leave isn’t equal to another, what is a phenomenon of the nature.

Tree bark touching

Every tree has a different bark.

The class is going to a place in the wood, where are placed 3 - 4 different trees. One child has to touch the bark of one tree blindfolded for about 30 seconds. Afterwards the child is guided to his start-position again. The child has to spin around and afterwards the blindfold can be removed. Does the kid find the tree again?

It’s a good game for using senses and get to know the structure of trees.

What can you hear, see and smell?

The children need a sheet of paper, drawing accessories and a pad for drawing. Every child is looking for a comfortable place in the wood. Now they are drawing everything they see, hear or smell.

Afterwards the paintings can be disused.

Observing the forest floor

The teacher is marking a plain on the floor of the forest (1x1 meter) with a piece of wood or a barrier tape. The children lay down around the plain. Now the kids are describing what they see on the floor.

It’s a good activity for getting to know the varieties of the wood and its floor.

What doesn’t belong into the wood?

The class is walking through the forest and every child is carrying a bag or a box. Now the kids have to pick up everything that doesn’t belong into the forest. The teacher has to watch out, which things the kids are collecting in.

Afterwards the class is talking about the collected things. It’s a good possibility to talk about the environment and its protection.

Source:

http://www.kitakram.de/Spiele-im-Wald