Kids Loving Nature: Animal Tracks

One conversation that I use a lot with my own kids to keep them excited about a hike is to talk about the animals. My daughters love to think about what animals we might see, what signs we might find of animals, and what animals might we hear.

It seems strange to me that every child knows what an elephant, tiger, and lion look like but they don't know the difference between a fox and a coyote. Television and books are quick to point out exotic animals and the sounds they make but our children don't know anything about the animals that live all around them.

How to have fun with talking about animals:

What might we see today?
Where do they sleep?
What do they eat?
Identify animal tracks
Identify animal scat
What animals eat other animals? How do animals protect themselves?
What animals hibernate in the winter
Do the animals come from an egg or live birth?
How do they use camouflage to blend in with their surroundings
Do they migrate? Why do birds fly south in the winter?
Are they scared of us or should we be scared of them?
Do they live in large groups (herds) or live alone?
If you find a hole in the ground guess what animals live in there.
Stop and watch an ant hill. What are they doing? Where are they going?
Find a feather. Who does it belong to?
Find bones, skulls, fur. Who does it belong to? What probably happened?
Discuss the food chain.
How does everything in nature fit together? (ex. Bees pollinate flowers)

These are just a few examples of conversations to start with your children. Their imagination and questions will follow and before you know it you've got a full hike in. Remember, be sensitive with children about animals that may scare them. I'm careful with my children about Bears and Mountain Lions. You don't want to scare them into wanting to go back to the car.

Don't be afraid to tell your children that you don't know an answer to their question. When you get home look it up online. There is nothing better than learning about nature together.