Outdoor Winter Fun with Kids

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Since many animals are nocturnal or scarce, children rarely see shy and secretive animals in the wild. But animals leave their tracks and mysteries for children.
  Take a walk in your own backyard in winter or along the beach in summer.  These tracks will tell a story.
  Observe human tracks in your yard. How can you tell which way the person is going?  What are they doing? Were they taking out the garbage or delivering a package? Look at the patterns of boots and shoes soles. Observe how they are different in size, tread, and walking pattern.
  Do family dogs and cats leave tracks in the snow? Being able to distinguish between domestic dog and fox footprints is important.

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Making Tracks
   Make new tracks. Drag a stick behind like the child in the book “The Snowy Day” by Keats. Take some pictures or make drawings with markers in a science. notebook. Leave some seeds and check on the spot later. Did animals visit?
  Now can you find some wild animal tracks in your backyard, park, or trail? Try to identify them before the snow is too deep. Explain to children that most animals are nocturnal. They look for food at night and sleep during the day. Their tracks in the snow are often around their homes or trails where they can find food.
  Many free animal track keys are on-line and very helpful. The book “Animal Tracks of the Great Lakes” by Stall is also a handy book.
 Show children some common tracks in your area like rabbits, squirrels, deer, fox, birds, raccoons, chipmunks, shrew, bear, and skunks. Sometimes they will be trailing each other. Why?
Decode Tracks
  When you first find a set of tracks look for the most distinct print. Note the shape of the heel pad, and count the toes. Even though adults may already know the animal, make it a scientific game. Look at the animal track key, think out loud, and eliminate animals by looking at characteristics closely.
  Take out a ruler and show children how to measure a track. Is there evidence that you have several animals, perhaps adults and young ones? Note the habitat. Why are the animals there? Does evidence show animals visit this spot often? Why?  Look around for berries and seeds.  Is there evidence your animal is a tree climber because the tracks stop there abruptly?  Follow some tracks. Where do they lead? Did the animal dig, hop sideways, or run off suddenly? Note that rabbits’ long back paws lead the way because of how they hop.
  Although there is no substitute for first hand study, it is fun to watch trail camera wildlife videos on You Tube with children. View them alone first, however.
photos: Fran Darling, fdarling fotos
More Ideas and Activities....See the authors’ book “Learning Through the Seasons” at area bookstores and grandparentsteachtoo.org. For more help to prepare young children for success in school see the authors’ web site: www.grandparentsteachtoo.org. Also check our audio Podcasts WNMU Radio 90; Youtube video activities; and join us on Pinterest