nature study kit

[angelmama1209]

I'd like to make nature study kits for my kiddos to take when we go out. so far i have sketch books, magnifying glasses, and hand held microscopes. what else should be in these bags?

[briansmama]

Field guides! The best ones are those specific to your area. I found great ones at B&N (pond life, PNW Butterflies, birds, insects, etc).

 

Also good quality sketch pencils, colored pencils, and watercolor pencils.

[briansmama]

Oh, and I really like having a camera for the kids to refer to back at home, especially if you live in a climate where their hands get too cold to do much detail drawing outdoors. We can just finish up at home.

 

I let them use the camera on my iPhone.

[serendipitous journey]

I'd include some specimen bags -- these type, which are made for homemade candy/treats, are our favorite ones. I also try to pack up index cards for quick "labels" -- we toss leaves, sticks, other inanimate things into bags and add a card when we want one. This is one of the boys' favorite nature-bag components.

 

Small measuring tapes can be fun (esp for toddlers, honestly, and young elementary ones).

 

I'd also consider doing a messenger-style bag, instead of a backpack, because it's easier for them to access (but might be too annoying, just a thought). Button's favorite collecting bag is a fabric shopping bag slung over his head!

[brendag]

You don't need them or can even make your own kits, but we also like the Backyard Safari stuff. My kids are 5 and love the messenger bag, vest, hat, bug sucker, etc. Sometimes it's nice to have those tongs to pick up dead bugs or other unknown things that they manage to find. "What kind of rock is this mom?" "That would be a piece of dried up dog or coyote poop honey." Guess who was looking up coyote poop pictures online later? :D