Ways to Nurture Your Young Wild Kratt

Chris and Martin Kratt, known for their show “Wild Kratts,” are always exploring nature and making discoveries about animals and how they live — it’s a wild experience! On their adventures, they observe animals in their habitats and share each animal’s “creature power.” Your family can connect with animals and nature in lots of ways, too! Here are a few crafts and summer outdoor activities to get you started.

​​Visit a Nature Center or Zoo: Many nature centers and zoos offer engaging nature activities for kids. These places provide hands-on experiences and interactive displays that not only entertain but also educate kids about animals and their habitats. You can learn how animals live, eat, and defend themselves! If visiting in person isn’t possible, don't worry. Many nature centers and zoos, including the Smithsonian's National Zoo, have online exhibits and live webcams that are free to access.

Create Pressed Nature Art: Outdoor activities not only get kids outside. They also give you a great opportunity to bond with your child over nature. Go on a nature walk with your child and collect flowers and leaves. (Make sure to find them on the ground instead of picking them to protect living plants!) Once you're back home, place the flowers and leaves between sheets of paper. Then, place a heavy book on top to press them for a few days. Use your pressed leaves and flowers to create beautiful art when the flowers are flat and dry. You can arrange the pressed flowers and leaves on paper or make cards, bookmarks, or framed artwork!

Make a Rock Painting: Collect smooth rocks of different shapes and sizes from a beach, riverbank, or garden. Clean the stones with soap and water and dry them. Use paint or markers to decorate your rocks. Use your imagination to create colorful designs, patterns, or images inspired by nature. Once you’re done and your rocks are dry, display them in your yard, on your window sill, or anywhere you like!

Go on a Nature Scavenger Hunt: Go on a fun nature adventure this summer! Make a list of items found in nature, such as pine cones, leaves, rocks, flowers, animals, and animal tracks. Take your child on a scavenger hunt in a nearby park or your neighborhood! Encourage them to find the items on their list. This summer outdoor activity gets kids exploring the outdoors, helps them develop observation skills, and teaches them about the natural environment.

Go Birdwatching: Set up a birdwatching station in your backyard or a nearby park using binoculars and a bird guide. Encourage your child to observe and identify different bird species. Ask your child to watch for the color of the birds’ feathers, their size, how they act, and how they sound. You can also set up bird feeders to attract more birds to the area. They are fun to make! Take notes about how many birds you see each day, what they look like, and what kinds of birds appear during different seasons.

Use a Nature Journal: Grab a notebook, sketchbook, or even some blank paper, and encourage your child to start a nature journal. Take them on nature walks or outings, and ask them to carefully look around at the environment around them and record what they see. Ask them what kinds of plants and animals they see. Ask them what the weather feels like and how they feel being outside. Your child can draw pictures or write descriptions — or do both! Don't forget to encourage your child to continue using their nature journal even after the nature activity ends. This can be a great ongoing project to help them stay connected with nature.

Exploring the great outdoors with your kids is fun and educational. Whether through visiting a zoo, creating art, or engaging in a scavenger hunt, these activities can spark a lifelong love for nature. Watching shows like “Wild Kratts” can also inspire curiosity and adventure, encouraging children to learn more about the natural world. So, grab your binoculars, notebooks, and sunscreen, and enjoy these wonderful nature activities for kids and summer outdoor activities!