Backyard Safari

Make a list of things your child can find in the yard or park, including flowers, berries, pinecones, seeds, rocks and pill bugs (sow bugs). Be specific about colors, shapes and number of leaves. Give him the list so he can collect the items on his own, or join him in the search. If you list the items that can’t physically be collected — like evergreen trees or flowers in a public park — invite your child to note where he found them or draw their location on a map.

Pressed Plants

Look around the yard for unique leaves, flowers and weeds and snip them at the stem. Put each clipping between pieces of waxed paper and place between the pages of a thick book. Close the book and set another heavy book on top so the plants will dry flat. Check them in a week or two to see how they have been preserved.

Good Impressions

Gather:

• leaves, weeds,plants
• white paper
• crayons
• newspaper

Go:

1. Lay out several sheets of newspaper to create a flat, padded surface.
2. Put the plants on top of the newspaper and place the white paper over them.
3. Rub the side of a crayon over the white paper. Press firmly so the outlines and the veins of the leaves will show through.
4. Create unique pictures with a variety of colors, plants and positions.