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Online Nature Education

In response to the COVID-19 pandemic, Allan Brooks Nature Centre is committed to joining global efforts to help slow the spread of the virus. We want to do our part in helping parents and educators follow social-distancing guidelines by providing engaging educational content and resources. Our education team is busy working behind the scenes to create resources for you to access and discover fun ways to stay connected to nature during this time. We will continue to update this page as resources are made available.

ABNC Educational Materials

This online educational resource has been created for children of all ages to learn about waste and how we can manage it, through engaging slides, links and activities. This lesson covers topics such as what is waste, where does it go, reducing our waste through the 3 R’s, recycling processes, and composting. The activities include worksheets, experiments, and crafts, some of which you can do together, and some they may be able to do on their own. 

  • The Moon & its Phases

Why does the Moon look like it changes its shape each night? Learn about the Moon and it’s phases with this fun at-home activity sheet in celebration of NASA’s International Observe the Moon Night (Sept 26th, 2020). Click here to discover the Moon & its Phases.

  • Water Cycle Experiment

Why does it rain and how come we never run out of water? Answer these questions and learn about the water cycle with this simple at-home science experiment. Children can create their own mini water cycle with just a ziploc bag and watch the water as it goes through each stage of the cycle! Try our Water Cycle Experiment here.

  • Outdoor Scavenger Hunt

Have fun outside trying to complete our Outdoor Scavenger Hunt! Work together as a team or turn it into a friendly competition! Print out a copy of the list and feel free to modify any items, especially if your access to nature is limited. You can make it a neighborhood hunt or a backyard hunt! Try our Outdoor Scavenger Hunt here. .

  • Backyard Birding 

We don’t have to go far to find birds! In fact, they are often all around us and we just need to slow down and listen to be able to find them. Birding with kids is a great way to get them to listen and observe the nature that is all around us, even in our backyards! Here you will find several activities to help your children get started! Try Backyard Birding now!

  • Bird Scavenger Hunt

What birds can you find in your backyard!? Try our Bird Scavenger Hunt to see look for birds, their habitat and more! Try the Scavenger Hunt here

  • Bird Bones Experiment

Did you know that birds have hollow bones? Having hollow bones is a special adaptation that birds have in order to be lightweight so they are able to fly! However, it can be hard to understand how hollow bones can still be strong enough to support a bird’s muscles and the physical stresses of take off and landing. In this science experiment children will test how much weight a structure supported by hollow paper “bones” can hold and see just how strong hollow bones can be! Try the Bird Bone Experiment here

  • Recycling Activity

In this activity, children will learn about the materials that our everyday products are made of and what happens to them once we are done using them. Create a mini recycling centre in your own home and teach children how to sort recyclable materials. By reducing the amount of waste going into landfills we can ultimately lessen our environmental impact on earth!   Try our Recycling Activity!

  • Outdoor Scavenger Hunt

Get outside and enjoy some fresh spring air, while practicing social distancing with this Scavenger Hunt!  Outdoor Scavenger Hunt Worksheet

  • Rock Painting

We can use anything to create art, even nature itself! This activity uses paint materials you already have at home to create cute painted ladybug rocks! Try Rock Painting Here

  • Nature Art

This activity uses natural materials, such as pine cones, twigs, leaves, etc. as painting materials to create a work of art.  Try your own Nature Art

  • Toilet Paper Binoculars

Did you know that we can use old materials to make something new?! Kids can make their very own pair of binoculars with just a couple of toilet paper rolls and some basic supplies.  Make your own Binoculars here

  • Nature Journaling

Nature Journals are a place where children can write, draw, sketch, place photos and objects that they have seen and found in nature. Each day, children can spend time in their backyard or looking out the window to make observations of what they see in nature. This is a great activity to get children looking closer at nature and focusing on the small things. It will help them to see more, understand and appreciate the nature that is all around us, that sometimes we may not notice.   Make your own Nature Journal

  • Bienvenue Birdies Craft

It’s that time of year where all of a sudden you hear more chirping and see more birds taking flight in the sky. It’s Migratory Bird Day and we’re welcoming back our feathered friends from their winter migration with a fun migratory bird craft. Try the Bienvenue Birdies Craft here

Join us and The Bug Guys’ very own Stuart Brown to learn about and SEE a Tiger Salamander. Huge thank you to The Bug Guys for doing a segment for us.

Resources From Other Organizations

These stand-alone guides provide educators with fun, hands-on lessons that connect kids to nature through the world of birding. Children will learn how to make careful observations of avian life, collect and explore data and patterns, and build STEM practices.

Explore the topic of water quality in your area! With activities to do both on and off the worksheet, it’s perfect for your next environmental investigation. You can use this activity guide at a park (remember to practice “social distancing”) or at home.

Connect with resources, ideas and inspiration brought to you by arts, culture, heritage and education organizations from across the North Okanagan.

Help fund initiatives like this

Allan Brooks Nature Centre is dedicated to providing nature education to children and adults across the Okanagan. During this difficult time, we are working hard to create new online nature resources to support children’s education at home and to ensure their continued connection to the natural environment. Please consider donating to support this work.