Habitat Lesson for Kids and Parents: Learn about Your Environment with a Family Walk
The Value of a Walk
Life is so busy these days that taking a walk is often hard to fit into the day. This kind of walk has so much to offer:
So dedicate a block of time to set simple goals, put away your electronic devices and enjoy!
Preparing for Your Outing
First, decide what habitat most closely matches your own: grasslands, deserts, tundra, woodlands, mountains, ponds, streams, marshlands, coastal wetlands, shore.
“A habitat is the home of an animal or a plant. Almost every place on Earth—from the hottest desert to the coldest ice pack—is a habitat for some kinds of animals and plants. Most habitats include a community of animals and plants along with water, oxygen, soil or sand, and rocks.” from Britannica Kids
When you have decided what habitat most closely matches your own you may want to use the Internet or local library to find out more about your area. Then plan what you are going to look for while you are on the walk (animals, plants, etc.).
Then start walking! Encourage your child to be a detective. Look up into the trees and on the sidewalk to watch the ants scurrying around.
Lessons from Your Walk Together
Now you are home again and it is time to talk about your “adventure.”
What animals did you see?
Describe the plants and trees that you saw.
Does your habitat have all the elements necessary: water, oxygen, soil or sand and rocks?
What do you think happens to the animals and plants when the seasons change in your habitat? Since my family lives in the desert southwest, our seasons do not change drastically so our answer to this question will be different from some others.
Was there something that surprised you on the walk? My daughter and I found seven birds’ nests in a tree next to our driveway! We had never noticed them before.
What was your favorite thing to see? Would you like to learn more about it?
Art Project
Now it is time to do some artwork to represent your adventure. You may choose to use crayons, markers, colored pencils, paint and/or construction paper.
Each time you take a walk you will note changes and find news things. Habitats are not stagnant. A tree may fall and something else takes its place. What happens to the animals that made the tree their home? Every walk you take can be a learning experience and provide lovely memories.
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