A Buffet of Summer Nature Activities

A buffet of summer nature activities await you. Don't know what to choose and where to start? I always start with noticing what birds are out and about. They seem to be my anchor for every season. If I can understand what the birds are doing, I am set to learn more about insects and plants.

One of my favorite summer nature activities is thunderstorm watching. I LOVE thunderstorms. I was born on a day with torrential downpours and lightening flashing against the sky. It was a Thursday from the term Thor's Day. Thor was the Norse god of thunder. Why not study how thunderstorms are made. Learn and then watch the forces of nature are work.

What is your favorite summer weather? Warm and gentle rain showers, crisp summer mornings, cool late summer nights. Why not write down your impressions of your favorite weather of summer. Maybe write a poem about it.

In the meantime, here is a list of summer nature activities.

1. Learn the differences between dragonflies and damselflies
2. Study and record the live dramas on the insect-laden goldenrods, milkweeds and asters.
3. Draw the fruits of summer on shrubs and green plants.
4. Note who eats the fruits of summer.
5. Listen to night sounds
6. Draw a map of your backyard or garden and who lives where.
7. Take record of the shortened days after the summer solstice.
8. Continue your blooming sequence and phenology charts and observations.
9. Learn the 10 most common trees in your area.
10. Be an inspector of thunderstorms. Keep a record of cloud shape and storm times Many summer thunderstorms happen in late afternoon. Learn why.
11. Identify the summer birds. Which ones are summer residents in your area.
12. If you visit the seashore, mountains or a lake, keep a special place journal.
13. Study spiders and ants.
14. Learn bird calls and bird songs.
15. Visit a wetland.
16. Get a field guide to flowering plants and learn some new species.
17. Look for animals tracks in the mud.
18. Look for empty cocoons and egg cases.
19. Look for leaf miner trails on leaves.
20. Sketch the patterns in a spider's web.

I hope this sparks a fire. Any of these summer nature activities are suitable to do with kids.

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