Fall is here, the weather is turning cooler, and it is a perfect time to head outside with your family to explore nature. However, it can sometimes be hard to think of activities that will encourage everyone to head outside. Not to worry - this summer our 4-H staff created some amazing outdoor challenges as part of our Adventures in Nature Challenge, which was designed to help kids spend more time outdoors. It was so much fun for my family and we enjoyed being able to all of them without going far from home.
Adventures in Nature Challenge resources
Don’t worry if you missed it this summer, the activities are all still available and the weather is cooler to get outside and explore. The activities focus on five areas: water, plants, animals, art in nature, and stewardship. Some of the activity areas have additional handouts which can be found here. They are designed to be easy to do with minimal supplies.
Scavenger Hunts
Scavenger hunts are another favorite activity for my family. Illinois Extension Horticulture Educator Brittany Haag created this great nature scavenger hunt list, which includes some great ways to incorporate technology in the scavenger hunt! And if you are still looking for some additional outdoor activities or perhaps some you can do inside on a rainy day, check out this great fall bucket list of activities.
Hope these activities help get you and your family outdoors and exploring!
MEET THE AUTHOR
Judy Schmidt provides leadership to 4-H metro programming in Peoria County. Schmidt joined Extension in 2001, working as a youth development educator at the East Peoria Center and joined the Fulton-Mason-Peoria-Tazewell Unit in 2011. Her work focuses on 4-H youth development programming in the local metropolitan area, specifically leading positive youth development initiatives for after-school programs, community groups, 4-H clubs, and other youth-serving organizations. Her areas of expertise include positive youth development principles, youth leadership, and work with teens as teachers.
Schmidt attended the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign for her bachelor's degree in psychology and also for her master's degrees in Social Work and Marriage and Family Therapy. She is a certified facilitator of the Matrixx System/Real Colors program by the National Curriculum and Training Institute.
ABOUT THE BLOG
Connection Corner is a blog that provides timely information, activities, and resources to help you stay connected to loved ones, the world around you, and yourself.