Bring wellness, nature time, and science together in one activity

PURPOSE

Find wellness and mindfulness with time in nature, or “vitamin N”, while also learning about local trees in your backyard and their historical uses.

GRADE LEVELS

1-9

SUBJECTS

Science
Social Studies

SKILLS DEVELOPED

Personal growth and well-being

Creativity and Innovation

MATERIALS NEEDED

Blindfolds

TIME

25 minutes

Instructions

This activity can take place in your backyard, schoolyard or local park!
Have your kids find their favourite tree and learn more about its characteristics.
- Think about the shape, size, and colouration of the tree and tree bark.
- What does the trunk feel like?
- Does it have needles or leaves?
- What other nature elements are around it?
Remember all these characteristics because they will need these clues to find their tree later on!
Now walk a few metres away from the tree and blindfold your kids and spin them in circles three times.
Get them to walk around their park and find their tree blindfolded! Make sure to guide them so they don’t trip or fall.
Believe it or not, most students are able to find their tree… even blindfolded and dizzy!

Discussion

Use this activity to lead into many more…
- Regular wellness sit spots
- Plant identification
- Seasonal changes of plants
- Sensory explorations of plants
- Past and present uses of plants (see pictures below)

More Bring Nature Home for Families

Bring Nature Home is our online database of tried-and-tested CPAWS Southern Alberta activities! Here are some ways that you can bring nature home (or to the classroom) today!