{"id":9995,"date":"2024-08-30T07:29:00","date_gmt":"2024-08-30T11:29:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/teachersfirst.com\/blog\/?p=9995"},"modified":"2024-08-29T20:38:15","modified_gmt":"2024-08-30T00:38:15","slug":"outdoor-maker-activities-embracing-the-changing-seasons","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/teachersfirst.org\/blog\/2024\/08\/outdoor-maker-activities-embracing-the-changing-seasons\/","title":{"rendered":"Outdoor Maker Activities: Embracing the Changing Seasons"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<figure class=\"wp-block-embed is-type-video is-provider-youtube wp-block-embed-youtube wp-embed-aspect-16-9 wp-has-aspect-ratio\"><div class=\"wp-block-embed__wrapper\">\n<iframe loading=\"lazy\" title=\"Build A Pizza Box Solar Oven | STEM Activity\" width=\"660\" height=\"371\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/nhgNh3BdMsc?feature=oembed\" frameborder=\"0\" allow=\"accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share\" referrerpolicy=\"strict-origin-when-cross-origin\" allowfullscreen><\/iframe>\n<\/div><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">As summer winds down and we approach the early days of fall, there&#8217;s still plenty of time to enjoy outdoor maker activities. While July&#8217;s <a href=\"https:\/\/www.nrpa.org\/events\/july\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Parks and Recreation Month<\/a> may have passed, the pleasant weather of late summer and early autumn provides perfect opportunities to get creative outside. Let&#8217;s explore some engaging maker activities you can enjoy in your local parks or backyard as the seasons change.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Park-Based Activities<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Local parks offer great spaces for outdoor creativity. <a href=\"https:\/\/www.getkidsintosurvey.com\/blog\/what-is-map-making\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Map making<\/a> is a great activity to do at your local park. Make a <a href=\"https:\/\/www.education.com\/activity\/article\/Make_a_map_first\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">map of the route to<\/a> the park, or consider <a href=\"https:\/\/www.kidsinparks.com\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">exploring your local park<\/a> and making a map of the whole park or something specific, like favorite areas and well-known landmarks. <a href=\"https:\/\/www.audubon.org\/magazine\/fall-2020\/challenge-your-kids-these-six-nature-photography\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Photography<\/a> is an excellent park activity! Through your lens, capture the changing colors of leaves and the transition of seasons. Get outside and enjoy nature while also making something.<\/p>\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"alignright size-medium\"><a href=\"https:\/\/teachersfirst.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/08\/2024_JUL_16_ranAUG30_Outdoor_Making_Silva.png\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"200\" height=\"300\" src=\"https:\/\/teachersfirst.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/08\/2024_JUL_16_ranAUG30_Outdoor_Making_Silva-200x300.png\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-10269\" srcset=\"https:\/\/teachersfirst.org\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/08\/2024_JUL_16_ranAUG30_Outdoor_Making_Silva-200x300.png 200w, https:\/\/teachersfirst.org\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/08\/2024_JUL_16_ranAUG30_Outdoor_Making_Silva-683x1024.png 683w, https:\/\/teachersfirst.org\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/08\/2024_JUL_16_ranAUG30_Outdoor_Making_Silva.png 735w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 200px) 100vw, 200px\" \/><\/a><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Messy Outdoor Fun<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Take advantage of the remaining warm days for some messy activities. Kids love to make <a href=\"https:\/\/kids.nationalgeographic.com\/books\/article\/elephant-toothpaste\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">elephant toothpaste<\/a>, but it is definitely an activity best done outside due to its foamy nature. <a href=\"https:\/\/kidsgardening.org\/resource-activities\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Gardening<\/a> can be messy but oh so rewarding when what is planted grows. Plant fall vegetables or prepare your garden for next spring. The <a href=\"https:\/\/www.kitchencounterchronicle.com\/cork-raft-building-challenge-for-kids\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">cork raft challenge<\/a> is fun and engaging and will help keep them cool as they test their creations. You could even end a lingering hot day by <a href=\"https:\/\/rediscoveredfamilies.com\/ice-cream-in-a-bag\/?fbclid=IwZXh0bgNhZW0CMTAAAR09RC5XEYN3Qbxkx3DZ1JBFuAUER_SiUtA1FGpJ51ft1o0GOv_EDC6B8FU_aem_AavzpxMpakdF-LGnxdxVYdLI3D8m_W5tx_sMiM959StbKRvIxqbwdxWZHBvzL1o4ItwM3L81SCktpKYIgmSlAtZr\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">making your own ice cream<\/a>!<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Artistic Projects<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The changing light and colors of late summer and early fall will inspire creativity in your aspiring artists! <a href=\"https:\/\/www.pbs.org\/parents\/crafts-and-experiments\/make-sun-prints\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Sun prints<\/a> capture the essence of summer flowers or fallen leaves. They even work well <a href=\"https:\/\/theresjustonemommy.com\/how-to-make-sun-prints\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">using construction paper<\/a>. Make an excellent summer souvenir <a href=\"https:\/\/www.girlscouts.org\/en\/activities-for-girls\/juniors\/junior-outdoor-art-explorer-badge-activity.html#juniors$$$\/content\/gsusaredesign\/us\/en\/activity-zone\/grade-levels\/junior-badge-activities.html\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">outdoor-themed impression<\/a> using salt dough or clay to create lasting memories of your outdoor adventures. <a href=\"https:\/\/rhythmsofplay.com\/shadow-art-outdoor-science\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Shadow chalk art<\/a> is a fun activity that involves no cleanup since it will wash away with the rain but looks beautiful while it is there. Budding film directors can make a <a href=\"https:\/\/www.learningbyinquiry.com\/easy-and-creative-stop-motion-animation-project-for-kids\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">stop-motion movie<\/a> filmed entirely outside. Editing can even be saved for a rainy day inside.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Engineering Challenges<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Engage budding engineers with these outdoor projects. Try the <a href=\"https:\/\/buggyandbuddy.com\/stem-kids-egg-drop-project\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">egg drop project<\/a>, where children design protective enclosures for eggs that allow the raw egg to be dropped and not break. Challenge them to <a href=\"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/Make-Your-Own-Game\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">make an outdoor game<\/a> using only materials found outside. Engage them in designing and building a <a href=\"https:\/\/canadac3.ca\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/02\/Whelan-Jacqueline.-Canada-C3-Learning-Module-Learning-Outside-with-Loose-Parts.pdf\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">butterfly<\/a> or other <a href=\"https:\/\/letgrow.org\/backyard-wildlife-habitats\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">wildlife habitat<\/a> to support local fauna. By building a <a href=\"https:\/\/www.sciencebuddies.org\/stem-activities\/solar-oven\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">working solar oven<\/a>, take advantage of the still-strong sun to cook <a href=\"https:\/\/www.sunshineonmyshoulder.com\/6-easy-recipes-for-kids\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">lunch or snacks<\/a>! Plan ahead for a more extensive project. Work on inventing something new for next year&#8217;s <a href=\"https:\/\/www.instructables.com\/contest\/outdoor24\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Outdoor Life Contest<\/a> from Instructables! <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">As the seasons change, these outdoor maker activities offer wonderful opportunities to connect with nature, learn new skills, and create lasting memories. Whether you&#8217;re enjoying the last warm days of summer or embracing the crisp air of early fall, there&#8217;s always a perfect outdoor project waiting to be made. As always, look for more <a href=\"https:\/\/www.teachersfirst.com\/search_action.cfm?grade_low=0&amp;grade_high=12&amp;searchtext=outdoor&amp;searchtype=all\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">resources<\/a> highlighted by TeachersFirst and related TeachersFirst <a href=\"https:\/\/teachersfirst.com\/blog\/?s=outdoor\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">blog posts<\/a>. Happy making!<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>As summer winds down and we approach the early days of fall, there&#8217;s still plenty of time to enjoy outdoor maker activities. While July&#8217;s Parks and Recreation Month may have passed, the pleasant weather of late summer and early autumn provides perfect opportunities to get creative outside. Let&#8217;s explore some engaging maker activities you can &hellip; <a href=\"https:\/\/teachersfirst.org\/blog\/2024\/08\/outdoor-maker-activities-embracing-the-changing-seasons\/\" class=\"more-link\">read more &raquo;<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":12,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_lmt_disableupdate":"","_lmt_disable":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[27],"tags":[94,279,311,254,22],"class_list":["post-9995","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-classroom-application","tag-maker","tag-maker-education","tag-outdoors","tag-steam","tag-stem"],"modified_by":null,"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/teachersfirst.org\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/9995","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/teachersfirst.org\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/teachersfirst.org\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/teachersfirst.org\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/12"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/teachersfirst.org\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=9995"}],"version-history":[{"count":35,"href":"https:\/\/teachersfirst.org\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/9995\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":10268,"href":"https:\/\/teachersfirst.org\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/9995\/revisions\/10268"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/teachersfirst.org\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=9995"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/teachersfirst.org\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=9995"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/teachersfirst.org\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=9995"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}