Natural Families Network
Nature Clubs for Families Tool Kit: Do It Yourself! Do It Now! provides inspiration, information, tips and resources for those who are—or who might be—interested in creating a Nature Club for Families.
The Office of Environmental Education and Public Affairs has a new Eco-Smart Parent blog : http://eco-smartparent.blogspot.com
Kids In Parks
The TRACK Trail program is part of the larger Kids in Parks Initiative sponsored by the Blue Ridge Parkway Foundation, the Blue Ridge Parkway and the Blue Cross and Blue Shield of North Carolina Foundation.
TRACK Trail adventures are designed to help kids explore nature through the use of self-guided brochures. TRACK Trail adventures are fun, healthy and free. Within the pages of each brochure a different story unfolds. From Nature’s Relationships to Fern Identification, each adventure will help you connect with your natural world.
http://kidsinparks.com/index.php
NC Zoo Society, @ the Zoo articles
Environmental Action Kit!
Make a difference!! Join the World Forum Foundation by inspiring children to become the next generation of ‘caring environmental stewards.
Screen-Free Week!
Get your kids away from the screen and into nature with this screen-free toolkit!
Parents ! This one’s for you !
Looking for ideas to get the whole family excited about nature?!? You are in luck! The Office of Environmental Education and Public Affairs has a new Eco-Smart Parent blog that promotes events for families and children. You can view the blog by clicking the link above!
Leave No Child Inside !!
These are amazing, free or low-cost materials that will have you outside in no time! Check it out!
Imagination Playground!
Watch as these kids use creativity and teamwork to build the ultimate playground!
Here are some more video links for Inclusion Playgrounds! Help bring children together by design!
A Book for All Ages
Loretta Lutman has recently published a children’s book called The Ugly Caterpillar, about one of our native butterflies. Loretta was the first horticulture volunteer at the NC zoo, and assisted in the development of the Butterfly Garden, where she has ‘worked’ since it’s inception in 1994. Her passion and curiosity of raising butterflies for study and release earned her the honorary and affectionate title of “The Butterfly Lady.”
The Ugly Caterpillar is the true and complete life cycle of a butterfly, told in story form, with illustrations based on her photographs. The book uses correct terminology, and tells how butterflies know where to lay their eggs, where to look for the eggs, what this species must eat, and what this tiny caterpillar does to survive the winter. This book could easily serve as a guide for children, parents and grandparents to find the eggs of this butterfly, then enjoy the magic of watching this ugly caterpillar turn into a beautiful butterfly.
The book is printed in America and is suitable as a ‘read to’ book for ages 1-6, while 7-9 year olds like to read it themselves. To discover more about this book, visit this website: www.butterflyplacebooks.com
Nature Rocks
This practical website resource customizes activities and nature play ideas by age, location, and time availability, an easy to use, helpful resources for families!
“Be Out There” is a national movement to give back to our children what they don’t even know they’ve lost: a connection to the natural world. Getting kids back outside is an important societal issue that effects children of all races and socio-economic levels throughout America. National Wildlife Federation (NWF) encourages all Americans to Be Out There. Find out more at www.BeOutThere.org.
Parents Guide to Nature
A great resource for parents published by Green Hearts Institute for Nature in Childhood. 
“In 20 concise pages you can learn about what makes great nature play, why it is important, and how you can restore it to your children’s daily lives.” Parent’s can download a free copy for personal use.
Outdoor Explorer’s Kit!
Ready to head outdoors!? Take a look at NCCAN!’s suggested exploring kit that you and your children can put together to help you really enjoy the outdoors!
NC Office of Environmental Education
Environmental education is not something that is only taught at nature centers or schools. It is a lifelong learning process that teaches people to think critically about the world around them. What better person to share this with children than parents? Find out where to go with your kids for some great environmental education opportunities, what you can do at home, research that shows the benefits of spending time outdoors, and much more!
American Camp Association: the CAMP Resource for Families
A comprehensive camp resource for families, “offering expert advice from camp professionals on camp selection, readiness, child and youth development, and issues of importance to families.” The American Camp Association helps you find the right camp for every child.
Children, Nature and You
A website offering the knowledge, tools, motivation, and passion that will enable you to give the children you influence the awe and wonder that only the natural world can inspire.
The Green Hour for Children
Looking for another idea to involve your children in the outdoors? This one is inexpensive, can be done anytime of year and can involve all of the family. It is called the “Green Hour”, a term trade marked by the National Wildlife Federation, (NWF). What is it? It is taking one hour a day everyday and spending it outdoors, without a radio, or other electronic device.
The “Green Hour” can be one hour of unstructured play in the outdoors. Let the children just explore and enjoy nature on their own. It can be in the backyard, nearby woods or local park. Studies have shown that allowing for time to just explore nature improves imaginations and attention spans.
REI: Passport to Adventure
Show kids how rewarding it can be to spend time in the outdoors. That’s what Passport to Adventure program is all about. Designed for kids aged 5-12, it’s a fun way to connect them to the natural world and start them on a lifetime of outdoor creation and stewardship.
Hooked on Nature
Hooked On Nature provides tools, resources, and workshops to inspire and empower parents, grandparents, educators, and grassroots leaders who wish to nourish joyful, profound, lifelong relationships between children and the natural world.
Teach Them About Trees
As spring approaches, consider the many resources that AMERICAN FORESTS offers to educate children on all the changes that are beginning to happen in nature, and other aspects of trees and forests as well. A Tree For Every Child is the learning guide we offer for educators of children grades 4-6, and includes lesson plans and activities both in and out of the classroom that teach children about forest ecosystems.
Sierra Club Building Bridges to the Outdoors
The goal of the Sierra Club’s Building Bridges to the Outdoors project is to give every child in America an outdoor experience…leave no child inside!
Nature Clubs for Families Tool Kit
Nature Clubs for Families The Tool Kit developed by the Children and Nature Network includes a Quick Start Guide with simple instructions on how to start a local Nature Club for Families.
52 Ways to Love the Earth
52 Ways to Fall in Love with the Earth is a place to share stories and memories about the natural world. These blog posts will spark something that you’d want to share about the ways you love the earth. Share your thoughts, impressions, experiences!
Music for your Family
Founder Jenny Morgan has recorded a CD of professionally produced music, some featuring local youth singers, that will get your family up, excited about nature, and ready to head outside!
The North Carolina Zoo, and kidZone! Open April through November 1 from 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
Building forts, digging in the garden and drawing with chalk are just a few of the activities available daily at kidZone play spaces. Note to parents: Children may get dirty and want to spend lots of time playing! Live animal presentations Thursday through Sunday at 1:30 p.m. This is not an animal exhibit area. Exhibit areas includes Water’s Edge, Animal Programs, Woods, Butterfly Garden, Maze, Artists Cove, Playhouse, Treenasium, Mud Cafe, and a kidsZone closet for make believe- you can be a vet!
Other Ideas!
Start a checklist for green living and ways to include the outdoors in your family activities by downloading this pledge.
For additional research, please visit our research page.
