Backyard Fun for Connecting with Nature
Make a Butterfly Feeder
Butterflies are both important for your garden ecosystem and beautiful creatures to observe. Making a simple butterfly feeder is an easy way to get kids excited about butterflies!
Materials:
Plastic bottle with lid (a great way to recycle old bottles!)
Cotton ball
Rubber bands
Flowers
Yarn
Water
Sugar
Instructions:
- 1. Place rubber bands around the bottle, then tie a piece of yarn to one of the rubber bands on both sides of the bottle.
- 2. Cut or poke a small hole in the lid, then place a cotton ball through the hole.
- 3. Put flowers underneath rubber bands to attract the butterflies
- 4. Make butterfly food: Stir together 1/4 cup of sugar and 1 cup of water
- 5. Pour butterfly “food” into the bottle and close the lid
- 6. Hang it outside, then wait and watch for butterflies! For additional instructions, check out this video from PBS.
Plant an Herb Garden
Collect a few small pots or clear a small patch of space to create an herb garden that will add flavor to your meals all summer long. We recommend rosemary, chives, basil, and cilantro.
Classic Lawn Games
There’s never been a better time to dig out the yard games that have been hiding in the garage for a few years. Break out the croquet set, set up the badminton net or test out the Pickle Ball paddles. If all else fails, there’s nothing like an old fashioned game of catch.
Leaf and Bark Rubbings
Engage with the nature around you! Encourage kids to pick out different types of leaves or bark, then use crayons and construction paper to create rubbings. Simply lay the leaf or piece of bark underneath the paper, then run the crayon across the paper to create the pattern.
Create an Obstacle Course
Use household items like buckets, broomsticks and rope or string to make an at-home obstacle course. Hold timed competitions to see who can complete the course the fastest, bonus points for doing it blindfolded.
Scavenger Hunt
Hold a backyard hunt to encourage kids to get closer to nature. Start with the items below and then bring your findings together for observation.
Find 3 different shaped leaves
Find 3 different shades of green or brown
Find 3 different odors
Find 3different textures
Find 3 different types of animals or evidence of animals like a spider web or a bird nest
What other fun activities have you been trying at home with your family? Show us what you’re up to by tagging @snowpeakusa and #SnowPeakAtHome on Instagram.
