Rebecca Shoer, Save Our Streams Coordinator
Flowers are blooming, birds are singing, and summer is just around the corner! This summer, however, will be quite different than usual. Spending time outdoors makes us happier and healthier, but those of you with little ones (or not-so-little ones) might find yourselves without the summer camps and vacation trips that normally provide fun and educational outdoor activities for your family.
Luckily, the Izaak Walton League has a range of resources and activities for kids of all ages. We’re highlighting our favorite family-friendly activities to help you get the whole family exploring outside!
Young Ikes Activity Books
Our two activity books, for grades K-3 and 4-6, provide all kinds of fun puzzles and games that help kids understand nature and conservation. From clean energy to soil health, these games will keep your young naturalist entertained while they learn about the natural world. Download and print the guides from home today!
Creek Freaks
Our Creek Freaks program for middle- and high-schoolers supports youth-based clean water conservation projects including water quality monitoring, stream cleanups, watershed mapping, and more. Although we can’t hold in-person trainings right now, there are tons of activities you can take advantage of on your own. Inspire young watershed stewards at home and explore our Creek Freaks curriculum!
Creek Critters
Did you know there’s a whole world of creatures living in your stream? Our Creek Critters app shows you how to collect and identify the small bugs living in the stream. Download the app, grab a pair of boots, and start learning about these amazing creatures and what they can tell you about water quality! This app is perfect for budding scientists ready to dip their toes into the world of water quality monitoring. Download it now.
Stream Selfie
We all have a favorite creek or stream – maybe it’s one you walk by every day, or one you discovered while on vacation. Every stream is an important source of water for wildlife, the environment, and our drinking water. Help us collect important data by sharing information about the amount of trash at your stream, if your stream is monitored for water quality, and more! Snap a selfie and submit it to our national map.
These are just a few of the activities we have available on our website. Head over to the Youth page for more activities. Have fun out there!
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