Collecting nature’s nuggets

How many pine cones, rocks, leaves or sticks can your kids find in the backyard or on a nature hike through a local park or ravine? Whatever they find, kids love to collect, feel and sort what they’ve discovered. It’s a fun and educational way to observe the different textures, shapes, sizes and colours found in nature. Here’s a simple way for kids to create their own sorting bin.

(ages 4 to 6)

Ideas to connect with nature for kids ages 4 to 6

• Choose a knick-knack shelf, tray, egg cartons or anything that has many compartments. (Even an ice cube tray will work!)

• Lay it flat on a sturdy surface.

• Take a nature hike and collect any loose natural objects that you may find.

• When you come home, start sorting your treasures. Big or small; rough or smooth; heavy or light; you can sort them any way you want — even by colour.