Maximizing Nature Walks TIPical Mary Ellen : Episode TIP-361 -- More Projects » Naturalist Jim Gilbert shares tips about getting the maximum enjoyment out of a nature walk.
- When going for a nature walk, be aware of your senses. Look around you and take in your surroundings. Stop and listen to the environment and breathe in the smells. Touch the various barks and leaves, being careful of plants such as poison ivy and poison oak. They both have three leaflets that are typically two to four inches long. Both are green, but poison oak turns yellow, then red, in the fall. Remember this saying: "Leaves of three, let them be."
- Read books on the various plants and animals native to the area in which you will be walking. This helps make the hike as enjoyable and safe as possible.
- Remember that each place has something special to offer. Alleys can be just as interesting as parks. As long as you have the right apparel for the weather conditions, and you feel safe, you can walk nearly anyplace at anytime.
- Hikes can be an excellent activity for children. Round them up and go on a "sense" hike, during which you have them incorporate sight, smell and sound into the walk. Every couple of minutes, stop everyone and have them look, listen or smell for 30 seconds, then talk about it.
- Another idea is to play bingo with the children. You'll need an empty cereal box and self-adhesive paper (without a pattern). Apply the self-adhesive paper to the cereal box and draw a 5-by-5 grid on the top half of the front side of the box. Write BINGO on the top, and in the squares, write various things that can be found on a hike. Use a razor blade with a handle on it to cut three sides out of each square. When you see something on your card, share it with everyone, then push the square through and fold it. When the game is finished, fold all the squares back in place. A pencil is not necessary, and the card can be reused. The bottom half of the box can be used to store some of the things that are found. To make a handle for the bingo box, use a piece of rope or thick yarn. Make a hole just big enough for the rope to fit through on the top of each side panel of the box. Put the rope through the hole and knot it. Now you have yourself a handy-dandy bingo box.
- A fun thing for adults and children alike to do when hiking is to bring along a plant press. You can make one by using two 6- by 8-inch pieces of 1/4-inch or 1/2-inch plywood. Take four to six pieces of 5- by 7-inch cardboard and place between the plywood. Use thick rubber bands to hold them together. When you get the press home, put a couple of heavy books on top of it. The plants you press can be used for a bookmark or card.
- Make a kite by using heavy-duty paper or plastic, two wooden dowels that are two inches in length, masking or strapping tape, and string. Make a cardboard cutout to use for tracing the kite. Position the dowels and use the tape to keep them in place. Attach the string and it's ready. This kite style can be easily modified. If you can't find heavy-duty items, use a paper bag. It won't last as long, but it will fly.
- Bring a journal on a hike to record new things you see. For example, note things such as the first robin, first snowfall and when the leaves change. You can refer back to it later.
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