20 Nature Books for Kids to Read This Summer

by Amber GuetebierJune 28, 2022

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Whether it’s the glory of a simple stick or a stargazing adventure overnight, children and nature can be one of the most harmonious and entertaining combos, ever. For the little ones who love the great outdoors, these nature books for kids offer inspiration and activities and are perfect to take along on your next trip.

What a Shell Can Tell

$20 BUY NOW

Did you know you can tell how old a shell is, just by looking at it? This vibrant picture book details what shell patterns and textures say, what their colors and shape means and so much more. Helen Scales' book is the ideal companion for a summer day spent at the beach. Ages: 6+

Nature is an Artist

$18 BUY NOW

An introduction to the beauty and magic of nature for young readers, Jennifer Lavallee's vibrant book is more than eye catching. Follow along with the children in the story, with Nature as their teacher, and see how the world is filled with artwork beyond compare. Ages: 3-8

Oceanarium: Welcome to the Museum

$31 BUY NOW

From future oceanographers and biologists, to kids who are serious about the sea, Loveday Trinick's new book is a love story of the ocean. Gorgeous illustrations and vibrant colors make learning about everything from plankton to reptiles of the sea and can't miss experience. Ages: 8+

Let's Go Outside

$15 BUY NOW

Your littles will be clamoring to head outside after reading Ben Lerwill and Marina Ruiz's story. A sweet lyrical tale that is also a page turner, the book ends with fun ideas families can do when they head outdoors. Ages: 3-6

In Our Garden

$17 BUY NOW

"It takes more than ideas to build a garden" in this sweet nature book for kids. Millie is in a new place, an ocean away from her old house. To make it feel more like home, she has an idea: to start a garden on her school's rooftop. The entire school and community come together as they learn about germination, patience and togetherness. Ages: 3-7

I'll Take Care of You

$18 BUY NOW

With stunning illustrations by Nicolette Bertelle and beautiful story-telling by Maria Loretta Giraldo, this will quickly become a favorite story. Young readers will go on a seed's journey as it encounters the Sky, Water and Earth and learn about the care of the ecosystems along the way. Ages: 3-7

My Big Book of Outdoors

$20 BUY NOW

Winter, summer, spring and fall. Forest, oceans, deserts and mountains. Each time of year and outdoor space is filled with life and beauty, and this nature book for kids explores them all. Not only does it come with informative prose, but recipes and projects, too. Tim Hopgood's robust and beautifully crafted book is wonderful for kids of all ages. Ages: 7+

Behold Our Magical Garden: Poems Fresh from a School Garden

$19 BUY NOW

From the poetic mind of Allan Wolf comes a vast collection of poems fresh from the garden. Illustrated by Daniel Duncan, readers will go on a journey from germination to compost, learning along the way. Ages: 7-12

Marshmallow Clouds: Two Poets at Play among Figures of Speech

$20 BUY NOW

A beautiful collection for budding poets, readers will go on an adventure through fire, water, air and earth. Each poem is accompanied by beautiful illustrations from Richard Jones and explores the beauty of the world around us. Ages: 10-13

Firsts and Lasts: The Changing Seasons

$18 BUY NOW

What an amazing world we live in, to experience the cycle of seasons! This ode to nature by Leda Schubert and illustrations by Clover Robin shares the anticipation of a new season while enjoying the beauty of the current. From activities and food to sensory experiences, there's plenty to love every moment of the year. Ages: 4-8

I Hear You, Forest

$18 BUY NOW

Forest bathing comes naturally to children and Kallie George’s new nature book for kids reminds us all how the sounds of nature can be restorative to our minds and bodies. The forest has a lot to say if you listen. From the creaks of the trees to the nibbles of the squirrels, the forest is forever revealing secrets to those willing to listen. Read this book and head out for a hike. Carmen Mok’s illustrations are both whimsical and realistic, making you wish you were napping on a forest floor right now. Ages: 3-7

The Camping Trip

$15 BUY NOW

This sweet book from author-illustrator Jennifer K. Mann invites us along on Erenstine’s first-ever camping trip. She’s got her bags packed with all the things she thinks she’ll need but nothing prepares her for what it’s really like to be in the great outdoors. The author encourages kids to try new things and celebrate the beauty of the wild. Ages 3-7.

Fungarium: Welcome to the Museum

$30 BUY NOW

Mushrooms are curious and fascinating life forms brought to the page by author and senior research leader at the Royal Botanic Gardens in Kew, England, Ester Gaya. Fungi can be food, poison, and medicine —and sometimes all three. Thanks to Katie Scott’s artwork, this gorgeous book presents like the botanical specimens of old children’s book form and includes the common and the uncommon, what fungi are, and how important they are to the world’s ecosystem. It’s oversized (11.06 x 14.88 inches!) and hardcover, making it a great gift for little nature lovers who want to learn. Kids who love this will also love other books in the Welcome to the Museum series including Botanicum and Antatomicum. Ages 5-12 (and up!).

Crossings: Extraordinary Structures for Extraordinary Animals

$15 BUY NOW

Katie S. Duffield’s forthcoming collaboration with Illustrator Mike Orodán celebrates nature through the wildlife crossings that exist around the world. From a bridge over a Canadian interstate to monkeys on rope bridges to bears under an overpass, Crossings teaches kids what happens when the non-natural world and the creatures of nature collide, celebrating both the ingenuity of animals and encouraging conservation and awareness. Ages 3-8.

A New Harvest: A Tale about Perseverance and Community

$16 BUY NOW

A devastating tornado leaves Rodrigo and his family homeless but through his community and a strong connection with nature, Rodrigo finds a way to build a new life. He begins a farm, where he can grow food to not only feed his family but others like him. The book is printed on the publisher Cuento de Luz’s signature stone paper, and all of author Cristina Expósito Escalona's income from royalties will be donated to the Homeless Garden Project. Illustrated Miguel Ángel Díez. Ages: 4-8

Plantology: 30 Activities and Observations for Exploring the World of Plants

$16 BUY NOW

Budding botanists and curious collectors alike will adore Plantology: 30 Activities and Observations for Exploring the World of Plants by science educator and author Michael Elsohn Ross. From plant skeletons to prop roots and all the mosses in between, this super cool book will have your kids looking at the natural world in a whole new way. Ages 7 and up.

H is for Haiku

$17 BUY NOW

Haiku, the shortest form of poetry, is rooted in embracing simplicity and nature. It asks the poet to take in all the senses around them and distill those down into just three lines, typically five-syllable/seven-syllable/five-syllable. Read this beautiful little book by author Sydell Rosenberg with your nature-loving kids and get inspired to write haiku celebrating the beauty of the world around you. Vibrantly illustrated by Sawsan Chalabi. Ages 5-11.

Wildchild: Adventure Cooking with Kids

$17 BUY NOW

What happens when you combine a James Beard Award-nominated author and family-friendly food with the great outdoors? An epic new cookbook by Sarah Glover that wil not only inspire you to cook over an open flame, it will make you want to forage in the woods and celebrate nature together. From bread baked on hot coals to saltwater kale and potatoes, Kat Parker’s photographs will have you drooling over the places and the food all at once. All ages (family).

Amazing Islands: 100 Places That Will Boggle Your Mind

$18 BUY NOW

From how an island is formed to islands that have contributed to some of the most diverse animal and plant life on earth, Amazing Islands is a beautifully illustrated guide to all things island. Travel around the world with author Sabrina Weiss and illustrator Kerry Hyndman and get your island fix from your armchair. Ages: 7-11

Talent for Trouble

$5 BUY NOW

Alice lives with her Aunt Patience, living a relatively quiet life since the death of Alice's mom. And then Aunt Patience sends Alice off to a boarding school in the wild Scottish Highlands, sending Alice on an adventure of a lifetime with her two new friends. Natasha Farrant's mischievous adventure story has a Harry Potter-ish element to the friendship and problem solving with the trio that includes meeting her biological father who lives on a remote Scottish island. Ages: 10-12

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Creative Ways to Celebrate Earth Day in Portland

by Hannah JudgeApril 10, 2022

Every year, we dedicate a day to acknowledging, appreciating, and preserving our planet. Earth Day is a beautiful way to teach children the importance of keeping our world healthy and clean. This year, Portland has a whole host of events planned for getting out into the communities we love and cherish to do our part in keeping our environment happy. Bringing the kids along to these events is the perfect way to help them understand the importance of protecting our ecosystem, as well as having a little outdoor fun! Need help finding out where to go? No problem – scroll down to see our list of 2022 Earth Day events for kids!

Clean-Up in Northwest Portland

Let’s face it – we live in a city, and in a city there is trash. We might not always have the time to stop and pick up some of that garbage we see on our daily commutes, but this April, we can make time. Bring the kiddos out to northwest Portland to spend a Saturday morning cleaning up the neighborhood! The Hostel Cafe is acting as the hub for this Earth Day tradition, and they’ll have you covered. SOLVE Oregon will provide the bags, the litter grabbers, the gloves, and the refreshments – all you need to do is show up in your best pair of walking shoes, but you can bring all of your own materials if you’d like!

Where: Northwest Portland International Hostel – 479 NW 18th Ave., Portland, OR
When: Apr. 23, 2022 from 9- 11 a.m.
Online: Event Details

Trail Work in Forest Park

Portland is home the largest urban forest in the country. It offers local families gorgeous trials to bike and hike throughout the year. What better way to celebrate Earth Day then by keeping Forest Park trails clean and healthy. Join Portland families in our city's beloved Forest Park for the annual trail work party with the Forest Park Conservancy. Attendees will work throughout the morning until noon working on the trails. Sign-up is required in advance.

Where: Forest Park
When: Apr. 24, 9 a.m.
Online: Event Details

CEC Carbon Friendly Transportation Challenge

Cleaning up the streets and giving to outdoor programs are great ways to get involved for Earth Day this year, but what if you need a little something extra to challenge your green-ness? Corvallis Environmental Center [CEC] has just the thing for you! Take up the challenge of diminishing your transportation-carbon footprint for all of April by getting creative for when you’re on the go! Gather the kids and brainstorm all the fun ways to get to the park, the store, or their friends’ houses! By bus? By bike? By foot? The options are nearly limitless, especially here in Portland. See how much of a difference you can make this month, and as a bonus, you’ll avoid the crazy gas prices at your neighborhood fuel spot.

How: AtlasGo App [track mileage alongside other challenge-goers!]
Online: Event Details.

Saturday Restoration Work Party

As Portlanders, we spend a lot of time enjoying the beauty that is Forest Park. But how often do we take the time to tend to it? This April, the Forest Park Conservancy is giving you and your family an opportunity to do just that. Teaching the kids about the harm caused by invasive species is a great way to introduce them to the makeup of their surrounding environment. And then they get to help rid the park of all that ivy! Suit the whole family up in long pants and close-toed shoes, and spend your Saturday at the Birch Trailhead – Forest Park Conservancy will provide all necessary trainings, tools, and gloves.

Proof of vaccination is required.

Where: Birch Trail, Portland OR
When: Apr. 16 9 a.m. - 12 p.m.
Online: Event Details.

Earth Day Community Celebration

This full-day event is sure to get the kids pumped about celebrating our awesome planet. Get to know your neighbors and show up on Earth Day at Washington Highschool to enjoy an afternoon of panel discussions, arts & crafts, and live music! Make sure to bring props, homemade signs, and your best Earth accessories so you can take part in the parade that happens at 5 PM! After that, you can make your way to Clinton Street Records for a little pre-screening bash before settling in at the Clinton Theater to watch Rad Earth [$10/person] with your family. There is no better way to get out into your community, have quality family time, and appreciate the beautiful place we call home.

Where: Revolution Hall Field [AKA Washington Highschool] – 1300 SE Stark St., Portland, OR
When: Apr. 22, 1- 9 p.m.
Online: Event Details

Why Your Kids Should Be Nature Journaling

By Ingrid Simunic

Tinybeans Voices Contributor

January 4, 2022

Creating a nature journal for kids is a wonderful way to nurture a child’s love and respect for Mother Earth. It’s an effective play-to-learn tool, encouraging curiosity, exploring, and adventure. Regardless of age or gender, every child can create a nature journal unique to their perspective. Best of all, there are no rules; there’s no one way that is better than another. No matter what, your child will share all of the same benefits as someone who creates an “ideal” journal!

Benefits of Nature Journaling for Kids

Nature journaling is a practical way to keep kids engaged outside without directly engaging them yourself. Your child gets all of the benefits of nature play with the added benefit of cataloging their experiences.

These benefits include, but certainly aren’t limited to:

Calming a busy mind that’s often inundated with digital information
Using all five senses to observe (and enjoy) their surroundings
Guiding self-discovery
Encouraging self-expression
Promoting creativity
Fostering a connection to the natural world

Your kids don’t care about these benefits, though. They won’t realize the value as much as you do, so you might have to do some prompting.

How to Encourage Nature Journaling

Though you can purchase nature journals, any journal, notebook, or pages bound together will do. Ideally, you can attach a writing utensil, whether it’s a pencil, crayons, markers, or even a stick dipped in mud!

If you start with a blank journal, I recommend walking around your yard with your child for the first entry. Grab a pad of paper and pencil for yourself and hand them their journal. Try leading by example. For instance, as you pass a flower, look closely at its petals and say, “Wow, this flower has five petals and thorns on its stem.” Then, you can sketch what you see. “It sure smells nice, too!” Try incorporating as many senses as possible, jotting notes or doodles depending on your child’s age.

Pick up a rock and discuss what you notice. Look up close at the jagged edges of a leaf. Watch the way a lizard climbs up a wall. Point out what you find interesting about these things.

Then ask your child, “What do you see that’s interesting?” Be patient as you wait for your child’s response. Remember that sometimes, their response may be physical, not verbal! They may grab a pine cone or lean closer to a pile of dirt. You can ask follow-up questions, like “how does that pinecone feel” or “what does that dirt smell like?”

Do your best not to offer answers to your own questions. For example, “Does it feel prickly?” Let your child come to their own conclusions, even if they are different than yours or even inaccurate.

How to Prompt Kids to Use Their Nature Journal

Once something has caught your child’s interest, and they’ve had a chance to inspect it, encourage them to draw or take notes. If they don’t write or draw much, that’s okay! The goal for this first adventure is just to look closely and get their minds churning. If they do require some more encouragement, though, try telling them how they can share it with someone close to them. Such as, “Oh, you should add to your nature journal so you can show Grammy later!” They are more likely to use the journal if they realize they get to show it off later.

You can also give them prompts or challenges, such as:

I see…, I hear…, I smell…
Find and draw something…(i.e., with six legs, that’s pink, etc.)
Close your eyes and then write what you smelled
Close your eyes and then draw what you heard
Find something soft, hard, rough, and smooth

The possibilities are endless! You can come up with these prompts by first observing what stands out to you and then turning it into a challenge.

Remember to Be Flexible

Remember how I said there are no rules for nature journaling? That’s usually a more straightforward concept for kids to embrace than parents. Just because it’s a journal doesn’t mean your kids have to write or draw! If your child is too young or refuses to draw or write, you can encourage them to press leaves, twigs, and flowers between the pages. You can also show them how to do nature rubbings by pressing leaves or other items between pages and then scribbling back and forth on the top page to see the “imprint” of the item.

So, be flexible on what a nature journal is “supposed” to be because all it’s supposed to be is fun and engaging! That fun will naturally translate into the many benefits nature journaling and outdoor play provide.

—Ingrid Simunic, Elliot’s Adventures

Photo: Sergey Novikov via Canva

Do you have a story you’d like to share with our readers? We’d love to hear it! Sign up for our Voices Contributor Network where you can submit your funny, heartfelt and/or unbelievable parenting stories and see them on Tinybeans.com!

Ingrid Simunic

Tinybeans Voices Contributor

Ingrid Simunic is an award-winning communications strategist with a passion for nature and wildlife conservation. As a published Ph.D., she is also an award-winning author of the children's book series, Elliot's Adventures. Ingrid has the joy of collaborating with her son from concept to finish, incorporating his humor as a vital ingredient.

Welcome, Winter! 8 Outdoor Adventures to Take with Kids Now

by Allison SutcliffeDecember 12, 2021

Winter is a great time of year to plan outdoor activities around Boston with your family. Get your hat, gloves and warmest winter boots ready and find a new sledding hill, book a day on the ice or makes some s’mores by the fire. These are a slew of our favorite things to do in Boston in the winter. All you have to do is check off the activities one by one!

Editor’s note: As things continue to evolve due to the omicron variant, please remember to double check information for the most up-to-date changes before packing the kids in the car for an adventure.

See the Winterlights

It's not too late to catch the Winterlights at the Bradley Estate or at the Stevens-Coolidge House and Gardens. This weekend is the last chance you'll have until next year!

Head to Your Nearest Sledding Hill

Boston has tons of sledding hills to choose from. Whether you're after trills on long hills or easy slopes that are perfect for toddlers, you don't have to look to far to find them. So, grab your favorite sled and get ready for a day in the snow!

Read Stories in the Red Barn

Cows, crafts and a story are all part of this weekly time for toddlers at the Red Barn at Weir River Farm. Better get moo-ving!

Visit Chestnut Hill Farm

Chestnut Hill Farm is a great destination for the winter months as there's so much to do there. You can go on a Reindeer Quest or enjoy fire pits on Saturday afternoons. It's a bring your own camp chair situation, but they'll provide everything you need to roast s'mores and find adventures between bites.

Take a Night Hike

World's End is where you'll find the start of this guided night hike that happens when the moon in out. Hikes are scheduled in January, February and March of this year.

Go Ice Skating

Get ready to practice your triple axel...or maybe just skate a few wobbly laps with your tot (we won't tell). However you skate, enjoy this activity with the kids at one of our favorite ice skating rinks. It doesn't get any better (or quintessentially Boston) than skating at the Frog Pond. Enjoy it while you can! The Kelly Outdoor ice rink in Jamaica Plain is another of our favorites, and you've got through March to enjoy it. Make your way to Winter Skate at Patriot Place for a great big ice rink and amenities too.

Make a New Farmyard Friend

Appleton Farms is where kids can make a barnyard animal friend this winter. They'll soon be calling Angora rabbits, Nubain goats and the resident flock of heritage chickens their buds.

Explore Outdoor Art

boston deCordova sculpture park outdoor activitiy — Christina R. via yelp

The sculptures at deCordova Sculpture Park are just as stunning when they're surrounded by snow or cold hard ground as they are in the heat of summer. Learn about each one during a docent-led tour this winter.

—Allison Sutcliffe & Kate Loweth

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Take a Look: “Reading Rainbow” Is Making a Comeback

by Karly WoodDecember 7, 2021

If you grew up in the ’80’s and ’90’s, chances are you tuned in to Reading Rainbow with LeVar Burton. Unfortunately, it’s been off the air for 15 years now, so our kids have missed out on the magic that was this educational show: until now.

Reading Rainbow Live is getting ready to launch to encourage a whole new generation of kids who love to read. A modern take on the classic show that inspired children over the course of 150 episodes and 20 years, it will incorporate original music, field trips, dance parties, culture, exploration of the natural world and a book of the day on each 25-minute themed episode.

photo: Courtesy of Reading Rainbow

Utilizing the technology of the day, Reading Rainbow Live will take place on the interactive virtual platform Looped. Kids will be able to engage by asking questions, get rewarded to answering questions correctly, play games get featured “on stage” during each episode! Once the episodes have concluded, you’ll be able to tune into the episode by streaming as often as you like.

While the new show don’t be hosted by the OG LeVar Burton, it will be led by The Rainbows: a group of young performers who will inspire young viewers.

Stay tuned: in the next few weeks more Reading Rainbow Live details are expected to drop.

––Karly Wood

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Bright Lights, Big City: Holiday Light Shows in Atlanta

by Tinybeans TeamNovember 26, 2021

For a mega-watt evening, bundle up and flip the switch on some electric lighting displays around Atlanta. If you’re looking for an evening outing that will amaze the entire family, you’re in the right place. Read on to find the best spots around town to be dazzled.

IllumiNights at the Zoo: A Chinese Lantern Festival

Check out one of Atlanta's newest and most noteworthy holiday events at Zoo Atlanta. IllumiNights is a nighttime lantern wonderland celebrating the beauty of the natural world. Stroll the Zoo after dark to be inspired by more than 80 animal lanterns – some up to 20 feet tall – depicting some of Earth’s most charismatic creatures. Each lantern is made and hand-painted by Chinese artisans. Wildlife lights the night at the all-NEW IllumiNights at the Zoo: A Chinese Lantern Festival, opening in November 2021 and running through mid-January.

Nightly at 5:30; Adult (12+) $20.99-$24.99, Child (3-11) $17.99-$19.99, Child 2 & Under free

800 Cherokee Ave. SE
Grant Park
Online: zooatlanta.org

Worlds of Illumination Drive-Through Light Display

Choose from two new Worlds of Illumination drive-through light experiences for the ultimate holiday activity for all ages—from tots to grandparents, and everyone, in between. At the Atlanta Motor Speedway in Hampton you'll have an Arctic Adventure, while at Six Flags White Water in Marietta you'll have a Rockin' Christmas. Both shows feature millions of colorful lights and animated displays synchronized to holiday music.

Attractions are about one mile in length and take approximately 25-30 minutes to drive through. World of Illumination’s shows will be open nightly, including holidays, from 6:00 PM to 10:00 PM. All ticket prices are per vehicle, so guests can load up their cars with family and friends to enjoy the show. Show addresses are:

Atlanta Motor Speedway
1500 Tara Pl.
Hampton, GA

and

Six Flags Whitewater
250 Cobb Pkwy. N
Marietta, GA

Lakeside Lights at Margaritaville Lanier Islands

Go on a magical walk through an amazing light show set to festive seasonal music. Unlike your typical drive-through light show, this one is a dazzling lighting extravaganza, and you can take a break along the way for cocktails, hot chocolate, and s'mores.

7541 Lanier Islands Pkwy.
Buford
Online: margaritavilleresorts.com

Garden Lights, Holiday Nights at Atlanta Botanical Garden

The million-light display at the Botanical Garden can't be beat. Family favorites include the orchestral orbs (glowing balls that blink in time with holiday classics), the tricked-out train display, and the fire pits for roasting s’mores (while mom and dad drink a cocktail from the cash adult bar). Be sure to bring a stroller for little legs, and don't miss the incredible laser light display in the orchid house. Guests can expect new twists, including a colorful Glowing Grove along the Flower Walk, oversized flowers leading to Ice Goddess and several lighted sculptures from the 2021 summer exhibition SUPERnatural: Glass Art by Jason Gamrath.

Details: November 13 to January 15 from 5 to 11 p.m., Ticket prices vary by peak dates and flexibility. Tickets available online or in person.

1345 Piedmont Avenue
Atlanta, Ga
404-876-5859
Online: atlantabg.org

Fantasy in Lights at Callaway Garden

With more than 15 displays and 8 million lights this year, the Fantasy in Lights drive-through experience is worth the hour and a half trek from Atlanta. Not sure your kiddos can bear a road trip where the destination is more time in the car? Opt to ride the Jolly Trolly (no car seats, but bring your coats - it’s open air!). Don’t forget to hit the Christmas Village before you head back home. Filled with ornaments, treats, and the Big Guy himself (photos available), the kids will love the chance to stretch their legs and marinate in the merriment.

Details: November 19 to January 3, from 6-9 p.m. Prices vary by peak night so check the website for accurate pricing, Free for ages 5 and under. To order tickets, click here or call 1.800.CALLAWAY (800.225.5292).

17800 US Hwy 27
Pine Mountain, GA
800.852.3810
Online: callawaygardens.com

Holiday Lights at Brook Run Park

Holiday Lights are back at Brook Run Park. This year's theme is Hollywood Holidays. Starting December 1, enjoy sets from Dr. Seuss' The Grinch, National Lampoon's Christmas Vacation and A Christmas Story at Brook Run Park. On Wednesday, December 1 catch the lighting ceremony from 5-8 p.m., complete with hot cocoa and character appearances. Lights turn on at 6 p.m.

Free. Nightly from Dec. 1-25.

4770 N. Peachtree Rd.

Dunwoody

Online: facebook.com

ATL Holiday Lights at Atlantic Station

ATL Holiday Lights is back with a bigger, better and longer lights display than ever before! This year’s show features hand-crafted light displays from everyone’s favorite holiday movies, a mini neighborhood featuring some local Atlanta establishments and more.

For more information and FAQs, click here. When you’re done walking or driving through the display, grab dinner at Atlantic Station and don’t forget to catch Celebration at the Station every hour from 5 – 9 p.m.

Peak Nights: $35 per car advance, $40 at the gate; Thursday Walking Nights: $15 per adult advance, $20 at the gate, Kids 15 and under FREE (plus sales tax and ticket fees)

Lights of Life at Life University

Talk about some holiday spirit! This incredible light exhibit is a zero-profit event for Life University in Marietta that boasts the tallest Santa and his sleigh display in the Southeast. New displays are added yearly, and the entire arrangement is unique each year. Be sure to hit the petting zoo, train rides, pony rides, and visit with Santa before you leave, but you might want to wait until after driving-through the light exhibit to tell the littles. You won’t be able to keep them in the car, otherwise.

Details: November 26, 2015 to December 31, 2015 from 6 to 10 p.m. Friday to Sunday, $10 per car, Monday to Thursday, $5 per car, Train, pony rides, petting zoo, and Santa are additional, from $3 - $12.

1269 Barclay Circle
Marietta, GA
770-426-2600
Online: life.edu

Stone Mountain Christmas

Another pedestrian option for families with littles who just don’t love the car, Stone Mountain decks the halls with millions of lights, and offers plenty of options for keeping the kiddos entertained from taking a ride on the train (decorated for the holidays and rockin’ some jolly tunes) to taking in a visit with Santa, Rudolph, or the Bumble. Get there early and take a ride on Atlanta's only snow-covered slope! Night owls in your family? Stick around for the flying Snow Angel and fireworks finale at 8:45 or 9:45 p.m., depending on the schedule. Dino lovers in the house? This is the light show for you. Stick around into the night to see the special Christmas Dino Glow Experience.

Details: Now to January 2nd (select dates). Purchase tickets here.

1000 Robert E. Lee Blvd
Stone Mountain, GA
800-401-2407
Online: stonemountainpark.com

A Country Christmas at Pettit Creek Farms

Experience all the warmth and charm of a Southern Family Christmas at Pettit Creek Farms! Take a lovely drive or hayride through more than a mile of beautiful Christmas lights. You only need to pay for one option, either the hayride or the drive thru. Experience a nativity (animals on Saturday) and meet the animals at the petting zoo. Getting chilly? Warm up by the fire and enjoy s’mores, funnel cakes, hot chocolate and more from a convenient concession stands.

Nov. 25-Dec. 30. Tues.-Thur. 6-9 p.m.; Fri.-Sat. 6-10 p.m. and Sun. 6-9 p.m. $30-$45; hayride, $10.

337 Cassville Rd.
Cartersville
770-386-8688
Online: pettitcreekfarms.com

Featured image via iStock.

—Shelley Massey

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15 Gifts Every Nature Lover Will Adore

by Amber GuetebierNovember 3, 2021

If you buy something from the links in this article, we may earn affiliate commission or compensation.

If they aren’t hiking through a forest or looking under rocks in the front yard, your little nature lover probably wishes they were. This year, encourage that love of the natural world with one of these gifts hand-picked by moms of nature-obsessed kiddos. From seed cannons to trail kits, read on for our favorites.

Stamp Garden

$25 BUY NOW

This beautiful rubber stamp kit is not only perfect for the budding botanist in your life, but you might want to borrow it for your own crafting needs. It includes 25 stamps and two, color ink pads.

Zoom Tube Monocular Telescope

$75 BUY NOW

Bring nature closer with this hand-held telescope that's easy for the whole family to use. It comes in six different colors.

Hello Nature: Draw, Collect, Make and Grow

$19 BUY NOW

A beautifully illustrated, interactive activity book to spark the curiosity of your little naturalist.

Our World: A First Book of Geography

$18 BUY NOW

It's a book, it's a globe, and it's a work of art that teaches children all about geography and our beautiful world. Written by Sue Lowell Gallion and illustrated by Lisk Feng.

Deuter Kids' Backpack

$40 BUY NOW

When they're big enough to pack their snacks for the hike, this adorable, sturdy bag is sure to do the trick!

Seed Cannons

$48 BUY NOW

An eco-friendly confetti cannon? Yes, pls! These babies shoot wildflower seeds. Set of 3.

Buggy Lights

$22 BUY NOW

These jars illuminate your kiddo's collection of crawling and flying friends.

Moulin Roty Botanist Case

$65 BUY NOW

This little set is so sweet it makes you wish you could go back in time and gift it to your seven-year-old self. Includes a flower press, field journals, treasure boxes and a magnifying glass in its carrying case.

Uncle Goose Planet Blocks

$21 BUY NOW

The solar system and the night sky are just a grab away. Each block features an illustration, the planet's diameter, distance from the sun and location in the solar system.

National Parks Road Trip Learning Set

$40 BUY NOW

There's both a book and an activity book in the set that'll help nature-loving kids discover our National Parks. Good for a road trip or anytime!

Sunprint Kit

$16 BUY NOW

Make cool prints for your nature lover's room by placing leaves or other objects onto the light-sensitive paper and watch the magic happen.

Woodland Animals Baby Tummy Time Toy

$69 BUY NOW

They'll love nature before they can say the word, thanks to this plush set that encourages active play and tummy time.

Multi Tube Propagation Kit

$45 BUY NOW

This sophisticated set will help grow your plant collection and teach kiddos about propagation, too. It comes in three colors (pink, white, and teal).

Tender Leaf Forest Trail Kit

$70 BUY NOW

When you go out in the woods today, pack this trail kit to help learn and grow along with the trees. Includes a magnifying glass, printed trail cards, and even an owl compass (which pretty much sold us on the set).

Wooden Forest Animals Set

$39 BUY NOW

Get some Forest School vibes in your playroom with this set of eight forest friends perfect for imaginary play.

—Amber Guetebier

Editor’s Note: Prices and availability reflect the time of publication. Images courtesy of retailers.

If you purchase something from the links in this article, we may earn affiliate commission or compensation.

featured photo: tung256 via pixabay

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The Power of Observation & Empowering Children to Use Their Senses

By PBS KIDS

Tinybeans Voices Contributor

September 1, 2021

Photo: PBSkids

Science is all about asking questions and making observations—and so are young children!

Observation, an important part of scientific inquiry, leads to discovery and learning. By encouraging your child to use their five senses—seeing, hearing, smelling, touching, and tasting—you’re empowering them to stay curious and grow in their environment.

Jorge Cham, co-creator and executive producer of “Elinor Wonders Why,” is a cartoonist and robotics engineer whose own daughter Elinor inspired the show’s main character, an observant and curious bunny rabbit with seemingly boundless energy to explore and learn.

“My youngest daughter Elinor was four when we were developing ‘Elinor Wonders Why.’ The real Elinor is super curious and I got inspired by her relentless question-asking and excitement. I would see her get excited about learning things and discovering the world around her,” Cham said.

“Our premise is that all kids are curious at a young age—the entire world, the entire universe is new to them. Their brains are hungry for information on how things work. Every kid is curious to learn how to ask questions and how to answer them. We’re not only teaching science facts but also how to think, ask questions, and look for answers yourself through observations.” Elinor encourages children and grown-ups at home to ask their own questions and experience the joy of discovery and understanding.

As your child sharpens their powers of observation and more questions about the natural world arise, rest assured—you don’t have to be a professional engineer to point your child in the right direction! “Parents might feel intimidated by science and science questions, saying, ‘What if I don’t know the answer? I don’t want to say the wrong thing.’ One of the things we’re aiming to do with the show is saying that you don’t always need to know the answer,” Cham said. “Sometimes you can reflect it back to the kids by asking, ‘I don’t know, what do you think?’”

The next time your child is feeling extra curious, motivate them to keep asking questions and use their senses to discover the answers (or find more questions!).

Tap Into the Power of Observation With Your Five Senses
Inspire your young child to use their five senses to observe the world around them. As Cham said, “Observations are the key to science!”

1. What do you see? When your child has a question, encourage your young scientist to look closer! “Owl Girl” is one of Cham’s favorite episodes when it comes to the power of making visual observations and constructing explanations. “Elinor thinks she knows all about owls—they’re awake at night and sleep during the day. But one day when she’s with her grandmother, she sees a burrowing owl and it turns her world upside down,” Cham said. “Through observing with her eyes, she notices these owls are different and realizes there are different kinds of owls. Science can reveal things you thought were one way but are another.”

Observation activity: Observe With a DIY Magnifying Glass

2. What do you smell? Cham suggested inspiring your child to sniff out new things by saying something simple like, “Let’s use our noses to smell!” to help your child observe and make sense of everyday outings, like walking past a garden or baking a cake. In “Colorful and Tasty,” Elinor and her friends are trying to sell cupcakes at a bake sale, but no one is buying any! After observing how flowers attract bees through smell, the kids use a fan to spread the aroma of the cupcakes. Before they know it, the place is “buzzing” and they sell every cupcake!

Observation activity: Play a Senses Discovery Game

3. What do you feel? Young children are naturally tactile learners. Cham recommended leaning into this to help them understand their world. Grab a soft blanket, a wooden block, or a fallen leaf and ask, “What can you tell about this object by using your fingers and hands?” “Ms. Mole’s Glasses” is one of Cham’s favorite episodes when it comes to sensory exploration. When Ms. Mole forgets her glasses at school, Elinor and her friends follow her to return them. “She has big, thick glasses that she leaves at school, and they retrace her steps through town and figure out Ms. Mole observes a lot of things through other senses—bread through smell, fruit through feeling. I love that episode because it’s so tactile.”

Observation Activity: Nighttime Is a Great Time to Explore!

4. What do you taste? Even something as ordinary as lunchtime can be full of opportunities for little ones to use their senses. In “Strawberry Jam,” Elinor plans the perfect camping breakfast for her dad’s birthday but realizes they’re out of his favorite strawberry jam. She and her friend Olive set out to find some strawberries and learn how to tell which strawberries are ripe and which are not. The two girls then use the ripe strawberries to make the perfect birthday breakfast for Elinor’s dad.

Observation activity: The next time you’re sharing a snack with your child, let the taste and texture of your treat lead to curiosity-sparking questions. Is the cookie salty or sweet? What ingredients might make a cookie taste sweet? Is the banana soft? How do you know when it’s ready to eat?

5. What do you hear? Cham said asking a question like, “How does this sound different from other things you’ve heard before?” can help you explore the natural world with your child. In “Make Music Naturally,” Elinor and her friends learn that Señor Tapir is putting on a concert. They want to participate but don’t have any instruments. After hearing all of the beautiful sounds around them in nature, Elinor realizes that they can make their own by listening to nature.

Observation activity: Play Elinor’s Nature Adventure Game

—Kayla Craig is a writer, podcaster, and author of To Light Their Way: A Collection of Prayers & Liturgies for Parents. She’s also a mom to four curious and messy young kids.

This post originally appeared on PBS KIDS for Parents.

PBS KIDS

Tinybeans Voices Contributor

PBS KIDS believes the world is full of possibilities, and so is every child. As the number one educational media brand for kids, PBS KIDS helps children learn life lessons, explore their feelings and discover new adventures, while seeing themselves uniquely reflected and celebrated in lovable, diverse characters through television, digital media, and community-based programs.

San Francisco’s Coolest New Art Exhibit Puts You in the Painting

by Sarah McDonaldJuly 28, 2021

Kids love museums but curious hands and irreplaceable art do not always mix well. This summer, take your budding Picassos to the Asian Art Museum’s newest exhibit, teamLab: Continuity, an interactive digital art experience the whole family will love. Immersive art is all the rage these days so read on to find out why and how kids blend in perfectly!

TeamLab: Continuity

Located in San Francisco’s Civic Center, The Asian Art Museum recently reopened after an extensive remodel and COVID-19 hiatus. Continuity is located in the brand new Akiko Yamazaki and Jerry Yang Pavilion, which at 8,500 square feet is the city’s largest art exhibition space.

My sidekicks, ages five and seven, were initially wary of the exhibit. Like most kids their age, they like to run around and touch things but know from previous experience this leads to frantic shushing in art galleries. However, the enthusiastic docents pointed out all the exhibit's cool features and encouraged the kids for some hands-on action. Before long, my kids were touching, giggling and dancing from room to room. Images of the natural world are projected onto the floor, ceilings and walls and change constantly as you walk which gives the feeling of being truly immersed in a painting.

Multiple senses are involved in this truly interactive exhibit as a swipe near the wall changes the display of colorful cherry blossoms while a touch of the hand creates a new cloud of butterflies. Music, dancing light and even smell adds to the experience with the scent of rose petals creating a spa-like and relaxing environment. In one particular room, the creators presented an exciting vibe with streams of light zooming around the room that slightly disoriented my sense of balance. The upbeat tempo of the music accompanied by the flashing lights caused my kids to immediately launch into their own private dance party.

Sketch Ocean

Although Continuity is the main draw, don’t miss Sketch Ocean, a smaller exhibit located near the museum’s entrance. This is another interactive art experience from teamLab, where colorful sea creatures created by visitors are projected onto the walls.

Pick a template, color, scan and watch as your drawing bursts into life on the wall and swims away to join other creations. The movement of the artworks are quite life-like and the result mimics a real aquarium. Look out for fish who have swum all the way from Tokyo, where teamLab has a sister exhibit.

Nosh

Creating great art is hungry work, so make a stop at the museum’s cafe, Sunday at the Museum, for a Japanese-inspired sandwich (think Katsu chicken on milk bread with slaw!) or a house-made chocolate chip cookie. The cafe also serves boba tea from the Boba Guys and sparkling fruit drinks.

If you are looking for a fun way to fire up your kids’ imagination and enjoy modern art together minus the stress of keeping them quiet in an adult space, be sure to catch this exhibit while it is in town!

TeamLab: Continuity and Sketch Ocean

July 23 to February 2022
Tickets: $20/adults weekdays, $25 weekends, free for children under 12
200 Larkin Street, San Francisco
Online: asianart.org

—Sarah McDonald

featured photo: Asian Art Museum

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National Geographic Has 8 Weeks of Summer Awesomeness For Your Kids

by Sarah ShebekJune 4, 2021

Summer boredom busted! National Geographic just launched the Planet Possible Family Challenge and made it a lot more fun to get outside together. And don’t tell the kids, but a little learning will be involved, too.

Over the next eight weeks, look for a new challenge every Thursday to complete with your family. The first one is live now: explore the ground with a (homemade) magnifier! Each challenge has three parts: a DIY component, using the handmade tool or craft to explore biodiversity and tips on protecting the natural world.

The new program is part of National Geographic’s Planet Possible initiative, dedicated to inspiring everyone to live more lightly on the planet. While you wait for the next challenge, look around on the site for other entertaining and informative activities. Learn how to become a wildlife detective, forest bathe, or grow an indoor garden! You’ll also find more craft ideas, including making a homemade telescope or “elephant toothpaste.”

Time to start exploring! There’s no better resource than National Geographic for a little education on our beautiful world. Spend a little time outside this weekend and start June on the right note!

—Sarah Shebek

Images courtesy of Caitlin Holbrook (21st Century Fox) and Matthew Rakola

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