Our backyards offer plenty of opportunities for kids to play, but by taking a closer look at the insects, animal species and plants found there, they can discover a whole new world of learning, too. The theme for this year’s National Science Week (10 to 18 August) is ‘Species Survival – More Than Just Sustainability’, and we’re turning our attention to the humble Australian backyard as the perfect playground for kids to learn about the different species living outside their back door. 

According to Abbie Mitchell, environmental educator and author at Kids Connecting Nature, outdoor activities for kids provide an array of STEM (science, technology, engineering and maths) learning benefits. “It broadens curiosity, reduces stress and develops skills in mindfulness, patience, balance, coordination and consequences such as cause and effect,” says Abbie. “It also helps children gain perspective – that we are a small part of a big and diverse world.”

Here are five easy backyard activities that will teach children about science in nature and the ever-important biodiversity that exists outdoors.

Hot Tip: Remember to have an adult supervise activities that involve getting close with any backyard bug buddies. Check first whether a bug may be harmful and keep your distance if you’re not sure.

SEE ALSO: STEM 101: What Is STEM & Why Is It So Important?

Observe Amazing Bugs

Suitable for age 3+

Insects are an essential part of our everyday life and are the key to the survival of many living plants and animals. A bug observation activity is a great way to introduce children to the world of insects and will help to nurture their curiosity and observations while also encouraging them to appreciate and respect the environment.

What You’ll Need

Instructions

Step 1: Gather the items that will help your child to explore and observe, including a notebook, pencil, eraser, binoculars, magnifier, bug viewer and handling tools, like tweezers. 

An animation of a person holding a big green magnifying glass viewing a red plastic bug scuttling across the grass.

Step 2: It’s time to head outside where you can explain to your child that you will be observing bugs in their natural habitat using binoculars and a magnifier, while taking notes and sketching in the notebook. It’s important to remind your child to be careful with any spiders or bugs that might be harmful and to always check with a supervising adult before handling any. 

Step 3: Start exploring your surroundings; depending on what’s available, this might be a grassy area, trees, shrubbery or a flowering garden bed. Discuss what species you might find and whether they’re flying around or hiding under any bark or sticks. Encourage your kids to jot down any observations in their notebook.

An animation showing a person using yellow plastic tweezers to place a purple plastic bug onto a green bug viewer that is sitting on a green lawn. 

Step 4: Once you’ve confirmed that a bug is harmless, encourage your child to use their explorer tools to carefully pick it up and place it into a bowl or bug viewer. Ask your child questions about the colour, shape and texture of the insect and begin sketching your findings.

Step 5: Remember, the goal is to catch and release any bugs back into their natural environment once you’ve finished the observation.

SEE ALSO: 5 STEM Arts and Crafts Activities to Do With Your Kids

Make a Water Pinch Pot for Bees

Suitable for ages 3+

Native bees are vital to our environment because they pollinate and fertilise plants, which helps plants and food crops to reproduce, creating a healthy and abundant ecosystem. Just like all living things, bees need water to survive. Making a polymer clay pinch pot is a great way for kids to create a water source for bees and to teach them about the importance of bees to our environment.

What You’ll Need

Instructions

A series of images showing the steps of making a pinch pot using yellow clay, a red art smock, baking paper and an oven tray. 

Step 1: Roll your sleeves up and put an art smock on your child in preparation for making your polymer clay pinch pot. You’ll need a smooth surface area to roll out your clay. Avoid using paper or baking paper as the surface as the clay will stick to it. If you don’t have an available smooth surface, try a ceramic plate or a plastic placemat. 

Step 2: Using the clay, create a ball approximately the size of your palm. Continue rolling it in your hands until the ball is smooth. 

Step 3: Place the ball in the palm of your hand and, using your thumb, create an opening by pressing down in the centre of the ball. Try not to push all the way down otherwise you’ll have to start the process again.

Step 4: Continue holding the ball in your hand, however, this time, with your thumb still in the opening, gently pinch the sides together all the way around. You’ll start to see it taking shape. Continue smoothing out the surface using your finger until you are happy with the shape of your pinch pot. 

Step 5: Allow the clay to dry completely before placing it in the oven in an oven-safe glass or metal tray lined with baking paper. Bake at 130°C (120°C fan-forced) for 15 minutes per 6mm of clay thickness.

Step 6: Remove from the oven and allow the clay to fully cool before handling. 

An animation showing a yellow pinch pot sitting on green grass being filled with pebbles and water.‍

Step 7: Gather some small rocks or pebbles from outside and place them inside the clay bowl and fill with water. This step is important because bees cannot swim and need the rocks to stand on while drinking. Now your polymer clay pinch pot is ready to be put outside for the bees to enjoy some water. 

Hot Tip: For any parents and children nervous about bees or insects, Abbie offers some sound advice. “Nature is around us all the time and very seldom a threat,” she says. While it’s important to check whether a bug may be harmful before approaching one, doing this research together with your child will help put their mind at ease. “Often children are less afraid of nature than their parents are, so allow kids to follow their curiosity without influencing their reaction – provided it is safe for them [to do so].”

SEE ALSO: STEM Activities for Preschoolers that Teach Problem Solving

Conduct a Biodiversity Count 

Suitable for age 3+

Biodiversity, also known as biological diversity, is the different types of living things you can find in an area. This includes but is not limited to animals, birds, plants and microorganisms like fungi and bacteria. Help kids understand the huge variety of life in your garden by conducting a biodiversity count. All you need is a clipboard with paper, a pencil and binoculars in hand to head into the backyard on a biodiversity count.

What You’ll Need

Instructions‍

A series of images showing the items that can be used for a biodiversity count, including a clipboard, paper, binoculars, ruler, sharpener and eraser, and pencil.

Step 1: Grab a few pieces of paper. Using a pencil and a ruler, mark a page at the halfway point and draw a line. On one half write the heading ‘Animals’ and on the other side write ‘Plants’. Place your sheets of paper in your clipboard and head outside with your pencil, eraser and binoculars.

Step 2: Take note of the types of animals and plants you see in each column and tally how many you spot. Make simple observations like whether the grass is tall or short, and what species or plants can be found in the grass. If you step quietly while surveying your backyard, there are more chances you will see more critters about. 

Step 3: After you have finished your biodiversity count, have a chat about where the species are living, where plants are thriving and what might be their source of food. Talk about ways you can help nurture your backyard’s biodiversity with simple ways of providing food, water and shelter.

SEE ALSO: 5 STEM-Inspired Winter Craft Ideas for Kids

Build a Bug Hotel

Suitable for ages 3+

What better way to observe insects and bees than in their natural habitat? Making a bug hotel is a fun and easy outdoor activity to help your child learn about nature. 

What You’ll Need

Instructions

An animation showing the creation of a bug hotel with rocks, leaves, sticks, bark and a crate, and plastic bugs moving towards it.

Step 1: Grab your wooden crate, twine and scissors and head into your backyard. 

Step 2: Forage for leaves, sticks, bark and rocks, and place all your findings inside the crate. Make sure to fill it to the brim. 

Step 3: Carefully wrap twine around the box. Make sure to wrap it around a few times to ensure all the little bits will stay inside. Cut the twine with the scissors and secure with a knot. 

Step 4: Find a shady spot in your backyard to place your crate. Head back outside with your magnifier a few hours later or the following day to see how many hotel guests have arrived. 

Keep a Nature Journal 

Suitable for ages 5+                                                     

Keeping a nature journal is a great way to encourage children to spend time outside, observe and connect with nature. The best thing about this outdoor activity for kids is that you don’t need a lot to get started – just a notebook, pencils and the outdoors. 

What You’ll Need

Instructions

A series of images showing leaf rubbing using a notebook, leaves and coloured pencils, along with other items used for keeping a nature journal, including a magnifying glass.

Step 1: Go outside with your notebook and coloured pencils. A nature journal is part-diary part-sketchbook and what you choose to journal is completely up to you. 

An animation of keeping a nature journal. A person is using a pencil to draw bugs in a notebook. Plastic bugs of various colours are sitting on and around the book.

‍Step 2: Some journalling ideas may include drawings, leaf rubbings and flower pressing. For budding field scientists, it’s a great opportunity to collect data like the date and weather, and make relevant observations, tracking the different seasons.

SEE ALSO: 3 Creative Kids’ Activities to Try at Home