At-Home Nature Activities

Spend 10 Minutes Outside Each Day - Take care of your mental and physical health by following this rule (if you are able). Follow these American Hiking Society guidelines for getting outdoors responsibly.

Nature Photography - Using a smartphone or simple camera, try and get some nature shots. Get creative with what you have around, trees and animals are often just outside your window. Send your pictures to us via Instagram: @elevate.youth.boston, or to alec@elevate-youth.org so we can see your photos!

Nature Blog - Write a blog post about your favorite experience in the outdoors (especially if it was with Elevate Youth)! Send your post to alec@elevate-youth.org to be featured on our website blog!

Rock Art - Using paint, sharpies, or whatever you have lying around the house, watch this video and learn how to create cool art using rocks.

Leaf Collage - Create a unique collage using only paper, glue, and leaves.

Tree Drawings - Learn how to draw 7 different types of trees using this easy, step-by-step guide.

Make A Birdhouse - With items around your home - you can make a bird house. Please use the video from our friends at Farrington Nature Linc to help guide you in this project. Have fun and don't forget to fill out the fun challenge "Birdhouse Questions" after you are finished.

Create A Mood Board - A mood board is a type of visual presentation or a collage consisting of images, text, and samples of objects in a composition. It can be based upon a set topic or can be any material chosen at random. Watch the video to learn how to make your own! Please share a photo of your mood board with alec@elevate-youth.org, or describe your mood board in the “Mood Board Reflection.” If it is nature themed, that’s a bonus!!

Indoor S’mores - Maybe we can’t be camping right now, but that doesn’t mean we can’t make s’mores! Follow the recipe to get a taste of the great outdoors. **Do this with adult supervision only.

Online Nature Games

Nature Tracks Matching Game - See how many tracks you can match with the animal that left them. After you complete the challenge please fill out "Nature Tracks Form."

Virtual Hawaiian Hike - Take this fun virtual hike along the shore in Oahu, Hawaii. Keep a journal - Describe what you see, the sounds, and how it makes you feel. The video is over an hour long, you do not have to complete the full hour but maybe skip around and experience different parts of the hike. After you finish, tell us all about it. Have Fun!

Match the Habitat Game - A “habitat” is where the specific animal lives and finds food. Some wildlife can live in many types of habitat, and other wildlife are very picky about their habitat and are specially adapted to that habitat. Different animals live in different habitats. Play the game to learn more!

Cloud Memory Game - Maybe you've noticed that clouds come in all shapes, sizes and colors. Did you know you can use clues from the clouds to help you figure out what the weather might be like where you live? Play the game to learn more!

Find the Wildlife Game - Can you find the wildlife in each picture? Test your eyes and see if you have great vision like a hawk.

Build a Food Chain - All living things needs food to survive. A food chain shows how each living thing gets food, and how nutrients and energy passes on from creature to creature. To learn more, play the game and create your own!

The Hidden World of National Parks - Join a Park Ranger to virtually explore places rarely seen.

Guess That Animal Game - Have fun guessing the names of the animals in this great animals & wildlife video for kids. All sorts of animals are in here including elephants, giraffes, turtles, leopards and even sloths.

Jungle Jeopardy - Online game. Complete the mission to keep all the animals fed for 12 days using plants and animals from the jungle.

Fossil Finder - Online game. Use the drill to find cool fossils!

Nature Videos & Documentaries

Animal Adventures- Can Animals Have Friendships With Humans? Wildlife biologist Liz Bonnin sets off on a worldwide journey of discovery to find out why animals of different species make friends with each other. Some of the surprising associations include a polar bear befriending huskies, a cat mothering ducklings, and an orangutan who keeps a pet dog!

Ocean Life - National Geographic Documentary. Watch the video to learn all about the amazing underwater marine life.

PBS Nature Documentaries - Watch an episode from the PBS Nature Series, such as “The Mighty Weasel",” or “Wild Florida.” There are over 30 seasons, so there are many topics to choose from! When you’re done, tell us about the episode you watched.

Our Better Nature Podcast - Listen to the podcast to learn more about how spending time in the Great Outdoors can improve your life.

Mindfulness & Movement Exercises

Beginner Yoga - Try the video to learn some basic yoga moves and get your body moving! After you complete the exercise, fill out the form to tell us about it.

Guided Meditation - Find a quiet place where you can sit and watch the meditation video. Try to listen to the voice that's speaking and follow along. Fill out the form when you are finished.

From Mindless to Mindful - Practice being mindful and letting your attention rest on just this moment. After you complete the video, fill out this form.

Mood Walk - Follow the instructions of this video and get active. You can do this indoor or outside. If you go outside make sure to ask your parent/guardian for permission and follow the "Outside Safety Reminders". After you complete this exercise please fill out the form.

Just Dance Workout - Watch the video and follow along for a FUN and tiring 40 minute workout!

Hip-Hop Workout - Unleash your inner dancer in this hip-hop workout class. This is for everyone from beginners to advanced…just be ready to push your mind and body!

Disco Funk Workout - Learn a short dance routine and work up a sweat in this 10 minute disco dance video.

Yoga Stretching - Stretch out stiff, tired and achy muscles with this 10 minute morning yoga full body stretch for beginners. Challenge yourself by doing this a couple of days a week!

Other Web Resources

If you are looking for a list of FUN nature themed activities, Social-Emotional Learning Resources, Mindfulness activities, and more to keep kids engaged please explore the links below: