Resources to Get Outdoors

This flipbook contains 366 activity cards designed to connect children with nature. Each card lists an outside and inside activity, a materials list suggested books and a healthy snack.

Activity calendar

This calendar has been designed to accompany the Activity Flipbook, but can also be used as a stand-alone. The calendar is full of fun outdoor activities for every day of the year and contains an extensive book list and healthy snack list.

ABCs of the Outdoors

Find infinite outdoor ideas on our project go Pinterest board!

Legend Hunters documentary film

This film was developed for middle school social studies teachers to introduce students to the history of our public lands and to hidden history waiting to be discovered at these sites. An accompanying curriculum is available for use with the film.

Freedom Stories of Southeast Minnesota

This project connects youth to the outdoors through storytelling focused on early social justice advocates buried in the region. Phases 1 and 2 involve gathering oral history interviews from descendants of these folks. Phase 3 will be working with local history centers and cemetery associations to develop historic markers. Phase 4 will include developing interpretive resources such as a self-guided tour of the region and interpretive walks and programs.

Check out the final presentation from Phase 1.

Let's GO Read

This handy activity packet has several nature-focused activities that connect with children's storybooks. These activities tie in literacy concepts and combine reading with nature exploration.

MORE RESOURCES

Let's play outside: 50 ways to connect kids with nature

It is a pre-school level picture book with one-word titles translated into multiple languages. For a preschool-age child, these activities and words provide a skill-building and language development opportunity to prepare them for kindergarten.

A parent's guide to nature play

Provided by the Greenhearts institute, this handy pamphlet is full of great information and tips to help parents and families connect with the natural world in their backyards and neighborhoods.

Sharing Environmental Education Knowledge (SEEK)

SEEK stands for Sharing Environmental Education Knowledge and serves classroom teachers, naturalists, and non-formal educators in Minnesota. Find countless resources to connect with nature.

Teach Outdoors! Minnesota

Developed by Minnesota teachers and environmental educators to help schools take learning outdoors. See how teachers and schools across the State of Minnesota have embraced outdoor learning through all of Minnesota's seasons, and hear their why for doing so.