The Science of your Backyard

Your backyard is a great place for your child to geteffect the weather has on the things in your
outside in play.  In addition to swimming and playingbackyard is not only fun, but educational.
outdoor sports, your child can also use your backyardTo make the most out of your child's next backyard
as a science experiment. If you are interested inadventure, you may want to consider purchasing
helping them achieve this, you may want tothem some science supplies. These supplies may
familiarize yourself with some popular backyardinclude, but should not be limited to containers,
activities, especially those that have a focus onbutterfly catching nets, magnifying glasses, picture
nature and science.books, and resource guides. If your child is planning
Exploring your backyard is not only a fun activity, buton capturing a few insects, a small cage or
it is also educational.  There are a large number ofbreathable container may be just what they need.
living, breathing creatures that can be foundThese supplies, along with others, can be purchased
outdoors.  All children love exploring nature, butfrom most retail stores. These stores may include
there are some who may enjoy this explorationdepartment stores, home improvement stores, and
more than others. Those children are likely to betoy stores.
toddlers or elementary school aged children. SinceTo keep your exploration focused on education,
young children may need your assistance, you willscience books and nature resource guides may be a
want to pick backyard activities that you will alsonice addition to your child's science collection. Many
enjoy.books and resource guide have a focus on insects,
One of the many ways that you can incorporatebirds, plants, and flowers.  Many of these resources
science into your backyard is by studying the plantswill provide you with information and pictures. For a
that can be found in your yard. While all backyardslarge selection of science and nature books, you are
are likely to have a number of different plants orencouraged to shop online or visit your local book
flowers, yours may have more. For the best type ofstore.
environment, you are encouraged to explore areasWhen examining the plants, bugs, and flowers in your
of your yard that have yet to be mowed.  backyard, you and your child may want to document
Your backyard is also likely full of a number ofwhat you see.  This can easily be done with a
different insects. Like plants and flowers, your childnotebook or a camera. By taking pictures, your child
may enjoy examining these bugs. It is not only funwill always be able to remember their exploration
to see what bugs live in your backyard, but it is alsoadventures.  Those pictures could also be used for
exciting to learn about how they survive. There isother crafts. Scrapbooks and collages are a great
also a good chance that your children may leave yourway to turn traditional photographs into something
yard with a new pet.much more.  
In addition to the living things that can be found inWhether your child plans on exploring your backyard
your backyard, you and your child may also want toor they do so without intending to, it is likely that
examine the weather and the impact it has on thethey will interested with what they see and learn.
yard and everything inside of if. Backyard conditionsIncorporating science into your next backyard
change as the weather changes. By examining youradventure is just one of the many things that you
backyard after a rainy day, your child may find thatand your child can do outdoors; however, it may be
many of the plants, flowers, and bugs have eitherthe most beneficial.
changed or retreated to safer grounds. Examining the