Easy Spring Nature Study Ideas5 min read

Introduction

Spring is one of the most wonderful seasons of the year. The birds are singing, the wildflowers are flowering, and we’re guessing you’re weary of being stuck indoors all winter!
So, here’s a list of 9 simple spring nature study ideas to get you and your kids outside and into nature this spring.

1. Let’s begin- Let’s Plant!!!

The spring season is ideal for sowing seeds for the gardening or flower bed. Take a closer look before you plant. Some seeds, such as those of the mustard plant, are just the size of a pen tip. Other seeds, such as those from a bean plant, can be as big as a quarter!

You may be familiar with the basic characteristics of seeds in general. Seeds come in a variety of sizes, shapes, and colors. Seeds that develop faster, such as bean seeds, are a great method to observe the growth process and investigate root architecture.

Have you seen any spring seeds growing on your balcony? After the blooms have been pollinated, seeds form. This time of year, many plants and trees are developing seeds. One of the first plants to show off its seeds is dandelions. Their round, fluffy seed heads are simple to find, and your kids will love blowing the seed pods. Remember to first create a wish!

2. Let’s look for birds this spring!

The seasons of spring and summer are ideal for birding. Many of our migratory species have returned from their wintering grounds dressed in breeding finery, and many are singing and exhibiting in fine style across the Dominion. Many birds will be busy constructing their nests. Why not make a list of all the different birds and bird nests you come across?

3. Look for evidence of animals!

Tracks, sounds, scat, and animal trails are examples of signs. It’s even possible to turn it into a journey of discovery! These Take Along Guides come extremely handy for identifying animal evidence.

4. Raise Tadpoles!

Tadpoles can be found in any slow-moving or stagnant body of water, such as a pond, bucket of water, or ditch. Simply collect them using a large amount of the water you discovered them in. Keep them out of the bright sun in a large plastic tub or glass container (without the cover). Replace the water on a regular basis with pond water or rainwater collected from the roof. Keep an eye on the tadpoles as they grow into frogs!

5. Why not Raise Butterflies?!

What you can do is order a butterfly kit with a butterfly house. As the next step, you can raise painted lady butterflies. Isn’t that something amazing? It will really be fascinating enough to witness their transformation!

Try once. And if you like this idea then do order a cup of butterfly caterpillars each year because the butterfly habitat is recyclable. Raising and releasing butterflies will never wear your kids out. And we can bet on this!

6. Go strawberry picking.

This is a lot of fun and a terrific learning experience if you live somewhere else where you can go to a strawberry farm and pick your own berries. Before or after your visit, learn about the developing process!

7. Learning about life cycles- Flora and Fauna.

In the spring, there are several life cycles to study, but our favorites include frogs, butterflies, and birds. Find some books on the topic and read them while keeping a log of what you learn. Consider getting a butterfly kit and growing some butterflies if you want to see the shift up close. You can also learn more about their particular characteristics by browsing the internet.

8. Make a backyard bird feeder.

You can create a backyard birdfeeder in a variety of methods, such as by spreading peanut butter on pinecones and then packing birdseed around it, or by looking for any other suitable choice. You may even suspend it from a piece of twine and watch our feathery friends have a good time. Make a tally chart of the species of birds you see on each day of the week by observing the bird feeder every day for a week. To learn about all species of birds, we recommend the book Birds, Nests, and Eggs!

9. Micro Hike

Who doesn’t like the thought of going on a short hike? A micro hike is a wonderful way to cram in a nature study this Spring without driving to the country if you live in the city, where green space is sometimes in short supply. Curiosity, a notebook, and a magnifying glass are all you need.

You can only see what you can see through the lens of a magnifying glass on a micro trek. It’s a fantastic opportunity for youngsters to get up and personal with all of the small creatures that make up your local ecology.

Conclusion

A nature study walk does not require a long journey. These can start in your own backyard. It’s also a good idea to go for a walk in the same spot for a few weeks and see what changes. Your children may notice more flowers blooming, grass turning greener, and far more insects and animals making sounds.

There are also themed nature walks available. Choose one or two things to concentrate on before going out. Allow your youngsters to go one step further and collect those few items to use with the next idea. This Spring, there are plenty of fun activities and strategies to get reticent kids excited about nature study!