Bring Shaver’s Creek Activities into Your Home or Classroom
Discover new ways to connect to the natural world from your home or classroom! These activities make it easy to bring a little bit of what we do at Shaver’s Creek to children of all ages with easily accessible materials. The guidelines and videos were created by Shaver’s Creek staff, Environmental Education interns and undergraduate students who are actively learning how to create and deliver experiences to help people engage with nature. Check back regularly for new activities.
Amphibian Habitat Search
Amphibian Habitat Search - Recommended for: Grade 3
Estimated time: 10 minutes
Amphibians need to live in a place that is cool and wet. Follow the prompts to try to find the best spot for an amphibian to live.
Estimated time: 10 minutes
Amphibians need to live in a place that is cool and wet. Follow the prompts to try to find the best spot for an amphibian to live.
Amphibian Life Cycle Adventures
Amphibian Life Cycle Adventures - Recommended for: Grade 3
Estimated time: 10–20 minutes
Choose your own adventure by doing one or more activities to explore an amphibian's life cycle!
Estimated time: 10–20 minutes
Choose your own adventure by doing one or more activities to explore an amphibian's life cycle!
Backyard Birdwatch
Backyard Birdwatch - Recommended for: Grade 4
Estimated time: 45 minutes
Learn about how birds use their beaks and try to find birds in your backyard or neighborhood!
Estimated time: 45 minutes
Learn about how birds use their beaks and try to find birds in your backyard or neighborhood!
Biodiversity Seek
Biodiversity Seek - Recommended for: Grades K–5
Estimated time: 15 minutes
Take a deeper look at local green spaces while learning more about the living things that call it home.
Estimated time: 15 minutes
Take a deeper look at local green spaces while learning more about the living things that call it home.
Butterfly Coloring Book
Butterfly Coloring Book - Our coloring book includes 17 families of Pennsylvania butterflies for kids to express their creativity.
Greenhouse in a Jar
Greenhouse in a Jar - Recommended for: Grades K–12+
Estimated time: 15 minutes
This activity will give your student an inside look at seed growth; a process which usually happens underground.
Estimated time: 15 minutes
This activity will give your student an inside look at seed growth; a process which usually happens underground.
Mini Watersheds
Mini Watersheds - Recommended for: Grade 4
Estimated time: 20–25 minutes
Use natural objects in your backyard to build a mini watershed and explore how water moves through different landscapes!
Estimated time: 20–25 minutes
Use natural objects in your backyard to build a mini watershed and explore how water moves through different landscapes!
Seeking Caterpillars
Seeking Caterpillars - Recommended for: Grade 1
Estimated time: 15 minutes
Transform into American Robins and test your eyesight as you search for camouflaged food... caterpillars!
Estimated time: 15 minutes
Transform into American Robins and test your eyesight as you search for camouflaged food... caterpillars!
Weather Watchers
Weather Watchers - Recommended for: Grades K–5
Estimated time: 10 minutes daily
Observe the weather and record observations using a weather chart, weather bingo card, and/or weather journal!
Estimated time: 10 minutes daily
Observe the weather and record observations using a weather chart, weather bingo card, and/or weather journal!
Related Content from The Naturalist Notebook
Check out Tommy Butler’s step-by-step guide on how to make your own mini ecosystem at home. Create a sealed, self-sustaining moss terrarium, and watch the moss slowly overtake the bottle.