If you're looking for things to do in nature this summer with your family, finding safe, kid-friendly activities can be challenging.
Here are some COVID-safe, kid-friendly things to do in nature this summer.
Google Map Adventures
With the world at your fingertips, you can access more information about the natural world around you than ever before. You can tap into your child's intrinsic sense of wonder by helping them explore the natural world around them.
Name a Landmark
Regardless of where your summer takes you, you can use Google Maps to help you discover and name a natural landmark. This process starts by locating a natural space near you on Google Maps. Next, explore the area with your child via your computer or smartphone. Once you locate an interesting area, you can drop a digital pin on the map and drive to the location. When you arrive at the area, encourage your child to find a significant landmark. After they find what they're looking for, open Google Maps and drop a pin on the landmark. At this point, you can "name" the landmark on Google Maps.
Capture Time
Although many satellite images are regularly updated, some online photos are decades old. When you're looking for things to do in nature this summer with your children, you can capture ground-level images of an area that's significantly different than images you found on Google Maps. These images can be used to provide current images of the area for other families looking for information about the area online.
Go Birding
Many children love to learn about animals. In many areas, the most prolific types of animals in the natural world are birds. You can teach your child all about birds while you're looking for things to do in nature this summer.
Bird Bingo
Before you go birding, do a little research about the most prolific bird species in your area. Once you find a few, you can create a grid, labeling each box with a bird's name. Next, print a picture of each bird. Give a grid and bird picture to each member of your family. As you walk around a park or natural landscape and find a bird, you can check them off your gird. The first member of your family to complete a line on their grid wins the game. As your child becomes more familiar with birds and learns how to locate them consistently, you can add more species to your grids.