Things to do in your backyard this week!

Build a Fort

Build your own outdoor hideout!

Supplies

Large sticks

Old sheets or blankets

String or rope

Imagination

How-to

The sky is the limit! Create a fort by leaning your sticks against an existing structure, such as a tree or play set, or create a fort by leaning the sticks together like a teepee. Use ropes or string to help hold sheets in place. Use an old blanket as the base.  Make it your own! A backyard fort is a great place to hide while you observe birds, write in your nature journal, read a book, or just sit and think!

Make Rain Music

We have been getting our fair share of rain across Iowa this year! Celebrate and put the rain to use by making your own rain music!

Supplies

Rain (supplied by Mother Nature)

Metal pots and pans

How-to

The next time it rains (should be soon!) set up metal pots and pans on a deck or your yard where they will get rained on. Listen to the rain music!

Make a Bug “Movie”

Set up a white sheet and a light after dark and watch backyard bugs gather to star in your after-hours “movie”!

Supplies

White sheet, pillow case, or large white paper or cardboard

Clothes pins or other way to hang sheet/paper

Flashlight or lantern

Insect repellant

Paper, sketchbook, camera or way to record your observations

How-to

Hang your sheet outside in your backyard at a height that everyone can easily see it (so about head/shoulders height of the smallest participant). Hanging it on a clothesline, on a deck etc are good ideas.

Set your light source (flashlight, lantern, or even old lamp with the shade removed) near your sheet. Turn off other light sources (such as a yard or deck light).

Wait for insects to show up! Observe, count, record, and enjoy the “night life”!

Dig a Pitfall Trap

Build a simple pitfall trap to learn about small creatures that live in your yard!

Supplies

Small container with steep sides (such as an old yogurt container)

Trowel or small shovel

Several small rocks

One larger rock

Flat piece of wood

Vegetable or fruit scraps

How-to

Choose a spot in your yard to dig your trap. The soil needs to be soft enough so that you can dig down several inches.

Dig a hole the size and depth of your container. Place container in hole and fill in around it. You want the top of the container to be level with the ground.

Add the vegetable and/or fruit scraps.

Place four small rocks around the trap and cover with the flat piece of wood.  Place the larger rock on top to hold it in place. There should be about a one inch gap between the ground and the wood.

Leave the trap overnight. In the morning check your trap to see what critters you have found! Look carefully, they may be hiding. After you have identified and observed your critters let them go somewhere safe (such as under a bush).

Make a Nature Bracelet

Explore your yard and make a nature bracelet with the things you find!

Supplies

Masking tape (or similar tape)

How-to

Tear a piece of tape to wrap around your wrist, make it big enough so it can slip on and off.  Wrap the tape into a bracelet keeping the sticky side out. While wearing your bracelet explore your yard and decorate your bracelet with tiny treasures you find such as flower petals, small leaves, seeds, etc. Create your own beautiful masterpiece!

Make a Nature Mobile

Make a mobile from nature objects you find in your yard!

Supplies

Two sticks

Yarn or string

Nature objects such as flowers, feathers, pine cones, acorns etc.

How-to

Gather items from your yard that you would like on your mobile.

Tie the two sticks into an X. Tie the objects onto your X and viola! Hang your mobile where you can enjoy your nature objects!