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Backyard Exploration
For bugs, butterflies and other backyard wonders, these products are sure to encourage further exploration.
Bugs! Bugs! Bugs!
Chronicle Books, $12.95 (Hard Cover)
Introduce kids to one of their favorite subjects with this cheerful book about bugs. Preschoolers will enjoy the full-color illustrations and rhyming text, while older children explore bug facts with the Bug-O-Meter chart of bug characteristics.
Ages: 2 - 6 yrs.
Author: Bob Barner
Chronicle Books, $12.95 (Hard Cover)
Introduce kids to one of their favorite subjects with this cheerful book about bugs. Preschoolers will enjoy the full-color illustrations and rhyming text, while older children explore bug facts with the Bug-O-Meter chart of bug characteristics.
It's a Big Big World: The Earth Needs You
Ages: 2 - 8 yrs.
Sony Pictures Home Entertainment,
$14.94 (DVD)
It’s a Big Big World takes children into the heart of the rainforest, into the native habitat of sloths, marmosets, tree frogs, turtles, anteaters, and a wide range of other exotic creatures. In this DVD these animals are addressing matters close to their hearts: how to be good stewards to the environment. The animals, represented by state-of-the-art, true-to-life puppets in a world that’s a mixture of sets and CGI, are occasionally difficult to understand, but the episodes stimulated a range of discussion and was particularly educational to early school-aged children.
Your Big Backyard
Filled with fun activities, simple stories and wild animals that the little ones love, Your Big Backyard draws preschoolers closer to nature and gets them ready to read. Youngsters will enjoy the seasonal crafts, simple cooking recipes, fun games, and more. Published monthly.
Ages: 3 - 7 yrs.
National Wildlife Federation,
Filled with fun activities, simple stories and wild animals that the little ones love, Your Big Backyard draws preschoolers closer to nature and gets them ready to read. Youngsters will enjoy the seasonal crafts, simple cooking recipes, fun games, and more. Published monthly.
Inflatable Insects
Ages: 3 & Up
Learning Resources,
$34.95
Our testers, ages 5-10 couldn't get enough of these oversized bugs. The inventive play scenarios ranged from bug monsters to bug pets, and every insect had a name. Kids used blocks to build houses and cages. The inflatable bugs hatched a trip to the library for books to learn more about the ladybug, dragonfly, the ant, the bee and the grasshopper. The hang tabs inspired more than one tester to suggest that he redecorate his bedroom. Repair kit and activity guide are included.
Explore Spring! 25 Great Ways to Learn About Spring
Ages: 4 - 8 yrs.
Author: Maxine Anderson
Illustrator: Alexis Frederick-Frost
Nomad Press, $12.95 (Hard Cover)
From tracking spring peepers and raising tadpoles to learning about seeds and recording plant growth, this activity book invites young readers to explore the wonders of spring by becoming scientists in the field. Combining hands-on learning with solid science, trivia, riddles, and terrific illustrations, projects investigate "the reason for the season."
Also look for Explore Winter! 25 Great Ways to Learn About Winter
The Beautiful Beetle Book
Ages: 4 - 8 yrs.
Author: Sue Unstead
Illustrator: Gill Tomblin
School Specialty Children's Publishing, $17.95 (Hard Cover)
Crawl into the amazing world of beetles! Each page of this fact-filled book invites you to explore beetles close-up like you've never seen them before. Product Description
Also try: The Beautiful Butterfly Book
Monarch Magic! Butterfly Activities & Nature Discoveries
For children interested in butterflies - monarchs in particular - this book should not be missed. Through photographs and illustrations, children learn about the life cycle of the butterfly, how to plant a butterfly garden, and crafting butterfly-inspired artwork.
Ages: 4 - 12 yrs.
Williamson Publishing,
$12.95
For children interested in butterflies - monarchs in particular - this book should not be missed. Through photographs and illustrations, children learn about the life cycle of the butterfly, how to plant a butterfly garden, and crafting butterfly-inspired artwork.
Earth Songs
Don't expect a litany of sing-along facts from Earth Songs. The multi-talented Susan Reed delivers her lessons with a warm and kind voice, skilled musicianship and genuine appreciation for the world around her. As adept with a banjo as she is with a violin, Reed's folk songs and ballads are welcoming invitations to listeners of all ages.
Ages: 5 - 8 yrs.
Susan Reed,
$15.00 (CD)
Don't expect a litany of sing-along facts from Earth Songs. The multi-talented Susan Reed delivers her lessons with a warm and kind voice, skilled musicianship and genuine appreciation for the world around her. As adept with a banjo as she is with a violin, Reed's folk songs and ballads are welcoming invitations to listeners of all ages.
Backyard Explorer Kit
Ages: 5 - 10 yrs.
Workman Publishing,
$11.95 (Hard Cover)
Backyard Explorer is the kit that begins with something kids do naturally--picking up leaves, collecting pine cones, stuffing their pockets with acorns--and turns it into seasons full of educational fun. Tthis unique outdoor activity kit--combes the Leaf & Tree Guide, the Leaf Collecting Album, and a durable plastic leaf collecting envelope. By categorizing leaves and needles into twenty recognizable shapes (smooth, toothed, hand-shaped, etc), it makes identification extremely easy and intuitive. Product Description
Songs from a Naturalist's Notebook: Children's Nature Songs
Songs from a Naturalist's Notebook is a treasure trove of catchy songs that signal keen observation and demonstrate admiration of the natural world. Foster Brown's warm and welcoming tenor, reminiscent of Livingston Taylor or David Wilcox, is joined by a superb crew of musicians who give his songs expert backing with shades of ragtime, bluegrass, folk and the blues. The songs range from enchanting and informative to the whimsical and downright silly.
Ages: 5 - 12 yrs.
Nature Theater,
$15.00 (CD)
Songs from a Naturalist's Notebook is a treasure trove of catchy songs that signal keen observation and demonstrate admiration of the natural world. Foster Brown's warm and welcoming tenor, reminiscent of Livingston Taylor or David Wilcox, is joined by a superb crew of musicians who give his songs expert backing with shades of ragtime, bluegrass, folk and the blues. The songs range from enchanting and informative to the whimsical and downright silly.
Little Labs: Animals
Ages: 5 & Up
Thames & Kosmos,
$15.95
Learn about animals in your backyard and parks by investigating their natural habitats and tracks. The simple pictorial instructions included has just enough text to reinforce vocabulary and aid in language learning, and also to advise parents and adult supervisors. Includes: knowledge wheel, specimen bags, plaster, tweezers, measuring cups, bug viewer, stickers, and 16 page full-color guidebook.
Little Labs: Plants
As one might expect, this kit includes seeds and a small pot, the fundamentals of any home or school exploration of growth. The additional experiments in the booklet demonstrate the ways in which water and light are taken in by plants, and how each is essential if the plant is to survive.
Ages: 5 & Up
Thames & Kosmos,
$15.95
As one might expect, this kit includes seeds and a small pot, the fundamentals of any home or school exploration of growth. The additional experiments in the booklet demonstrate the ways in which water and light are taken in by plants, and how each is essential if the plant is to survive.
Wild Cards: Bugs
Ages: 5 & Up
Birdcage Press,
$9.95
Bugs is a deck of 48 cards, with 24 sets of 2 identical cards with photographs of insects fall into one of six categories: butterflies, beetles, ants, spiders, caterpillars and katydids insects. Handsome, shiny, informative cards, with easy-to-follow directions for the triumvirate of children's card games: Go Fish, Old Maid and Memory. The photographs on the cards are spectacular; the facts are interesting and memorable. Budding entomologists will be fascinated, if not somewhat grossed out, by the larger-than-life pictures of some of the world's hairiest, scariest, creepiest, and even sometimes, prettiest bugs.
Big Bad Booming Bugs
Ages: 6 & Up
Little Kids, Inc.,
$19.99
This is no ordinary bughouse. It's an "Electronic Observation Station." Young backyard explorers use the handy bug scooper to capture insects and place them in the "bug dome" observatory, cleverly designed to look like an insect. In addition to observing the bugs with the built-in 3X magnifying lens, promising entomologists can monitor the bugs' audible sounds with the included earphones. The dome's base surface is sensitive enough that larger insects can be heard walking. Information about ants, beetles and grasshoppers is included.
EyeClops
The EyeClops is an innovative science toy with a unique twist on the traditional microscope set. Connect this hand-held bionic "eye" to a standard television and see everyday objects magnified 200 times on the TV screen. Kids can either put the eye directly on an object, such as a family pet or sofa, or place small objects, such as insects or coins, in a plastic tray that fits on top of the eye. Magnified pennies and carpet fibers delivered a lot of "ooohs," while human hair and skinned knees brought on the "eeeewwws."
Ages: 6 & Up
Jakks Pacific, Inc.,
$49.99
The EyeClops is an innovative science toy with a unique twist on the traditional microscope set. Connect this hand-held bionic "eye" to a standard television and see everyday objects magnified 200 times on the TV screen. Kids can either put the eye directly on an object, such as a family pet or sofa, or place small objects, such as insects or coins, in a plastic tray that fits on top of the eye. Magnified pennies and carpet fibers delivered a lot of "ooohs," while human hair and skinned knees brought on the "eeeewwws."
Camp Out! The Ultimate Kids' Guide
Ages: 7 - 12 yrs.
Author: Lynn Brunelle
Workman Publishing, $11.95 (Hard Cover)
Whether you're planning an over night in the backyard or a weekend in the wilderness, this book is packed with stuff to know. The basics, from gearing up to choosing a site to building a tarp tent. Tasty outdoor recipes: Solar Oven Pizza, Chow Down Chili and s' more's of course - with 8 variations. Plus: how to keep a Field Journal, exploring the nighttime sky, creepy campfire stories, and when it's time to go home, leaving no trace. It's everything you need to pick up and head for the hills. Book Description
Kid's Easy-to-Create Wildlife Habitats
Ages: 7 - 12 yrs.
Williamson Publishing,
$12.95 (Paperback)
Emily Stetson has created one terrific resource for children and families interested in exploring the wildlife in the environment around them. Children will learn how to best observe animals, build birdfeeders with items often on hand at home, find resources for building squirrel boxes and bat houses, and construct a "blind" for better viewing opportunities.
Ranger Rick
Written for children 7 and up, each issue is packed with facts, stunning photos and outdoor adventures that help kids sharpen reading skills and develop a deeper appreciation for nature.
Ages: 7 & Up
National Wildlife Federation,
Written for children 7 and up, each issue is packed with facts, stunning photos and outdoor adventures that help kids sharpen reading skills and develop a deeper appreciation for nature.
Wee Enchanted Garden
This kit is perfect for first-time gardeners with limited space. Children decorate the planter dish, create a landscape and plant the seeds that are enclosed (in the incipient garden). The plants begin sprouting in just a few days.
Ages: 7 & Up
Creativity for Kids,
$22.00
This kit is perfect for first-time gardeners with limited space. Children decorate the planter dish, create a landscape and plant the seeds that are enclosed (in the incipient garden). The plants begin sprouting in just a few days.
You Build It Weather Station
Ages: 7 & Up
SmartLab,
$18.99
Kids explore the science behind weather using this interactive station. This kit includes 13 easy-to-assemble parts, a cloud chart, stickers, and a weather tracker to record wind, rain, and temperature. The enclosed book rains down weather wisdom, teaching kids about clouds, cold fronts, tornadoes, and more.
Owl Puke
Ages: 8 - 12 yrs.
Author: Jane Hammerslough
Workman Publishing, $13.95 (Paperback)
Kids love science-especially when it's hands-on-and kids love yucky stuff. Used in elementary schools to teach the food web--but virtually unavailable at retail--a professionally collected, heat-sterilized owl pellet is now married to a lively, two-color illustrated book filled with facts and related activities about these most amazing birds. And what a story the Owl Puke Book tells--of the food chain, animal anatomy, life in the forest; of a bird that could read the bottom line of an eye chart from one mile away; and of a fierce hunter that swallows its prey headfirst and digests everything but the bones, which it spits back up in a pellet. Product Description
Plant Tycoon
Ages: 8 & Up
Last Day of Work, LLC,
$19.95
Here's a game that's about as exciting as a potted plant. But in this case that's a good thing. This odd little computer game follows in the footsteps of those other "Tycoon" video games, such as Zoo Tycoon, RollerCoaster Tycoon and Wildlife Tycoon, all of which test players' capitalistic instincts for building or growing or creating a product or service, improving it, then selling it to maximize profits. Plant Tycoon is promoted as "the spiritual sequel" to Fish Tycoon, a 2006 game by the same publisher in which players practiced the science and art of breeding and marketing exotic and expensive fish. Only, in this game it's potted plants that entrepreneurial-minded players grow from seed, nurture, cross-pollinate and mutate into rare greens - and then sell.
The Kids Can Press Jumbo Book of Gardening
Kids Can Press, $14.95 (Hard Cover)
Both children and adults will get years of gardening pleasure out of this information-packed reference book. The first few chapters offer general garden guidelines, followed by chapters on vegetable and flower gardens; noninvasive native plants; gardens that attract wildlife; and group projects.
Ages: 8 & Up
Author: Karyn Morris
Illustrator: Jane Kurisu
Kids Can Press, $14.95 (Hard Cover)
Both children and adults will get years of gardening pleasure out of this information-packed reference book. The first few chapters offer general garden guidelines, followed by chapters on vegetable and flower gardens; noninvasive native plants; gardens that attract wildlife; and group projects.
