Kids Learning

There’s no fear of missing out if you’re not on social media or if you missed our original broadcast! Here are some of our recent kids learning videos and kid’s activities. As your family learns together, we encourage you to incorporate these RVA Basics (English PDF/Spanish PDF)—five fun, simple, and powerful ways that every family can use to help every child have a great start in life. Enjoy!

Take a Virtual Field Trip!

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Kid’s Activities & Learning with Children’s Garden Educators

Weekly Garden Check-in:

Virtual Story Time

The Bee Dance by Rick Chrustowski

Resources:

The Bee Dance Storytime Resource (PDF) 
Pollinator Activity Guide (PDF) 

Flower Garden by Eve Bunting

Resources:

Flower Garden Story Time Resource (PDF) 
Flower Hunt Sheet (PDF) 

Green is a Chile Pepper: A Book of Colors by Rosanne Greenfield Thong and John Parra

Resources: 

Green is a Chile Pepper Story Time Resource (PDF) 

Color Hunt Bingo (PDF) 

Step Gently Out by Helen Frost

Resources:

Step Gently Out Resources (PDF) 

Insect Guide (PDF) 

Insect Checklist (PDF) 

Goodbye Winter, Hello Spring by Kenard Pak

All the Water in the World by George Ella Lyon and Katherine Tillotson

Resources:

All the Water in the World Story Time Resource (PDF) 

All the Water in the World Word Find (PDF) 

Things that Float and Sink Chart (PDF) 

Water Cycle Printables (PDF)  

Out of School and Into Nature: the Anna Comstock Story by Suzanne Buckingham Slade

Mae Among the Stars by Roda Ahmed

Resources: 

Mae Among the Stars Resource (PDF) 

Cookie Moon Phase Printable (PDF) 

No Two Alike by Keith Baker

Resources:

No Two Alike Story Time Resource (PDF) 

Where’s Rodney by Carmen Bogan

Resources: 

Where’s Rodney Resource (PDF) 

The Colors of Us by Karen Katz

Resources: 

The Colors of Us Resource (PDF) 

Color Hunt Bingo (PDF) 

Diversity in Practice Tipsheet (PDF) 

Not a Buzz to be Found (Insects in Winter) by Linda Glaser

Resources: 

Not a Buzz to be Found Resource (PDF) 

Goodbye Autumn, Hello Winter by Kenard Pak

Resources: 

Goodbye Autumn, Hello Winter Resource (PDF) 

Winter Trees by Carole Gerber

Resources:

Winter Trees Resource (PDF) 

Plants Feed Me by Lizzy Rockwell

Resources: 

Plants Feed Me Resource (PDF)

Mix it Up! by Hervé Tullet

Resources: 

Mix it Up! Resource (PDF)

The Runaway Pumpkin by Kevin Lewis

Resources: 

The Runaway Pumpkin Resources (PDF) 

Five Little Pumpkins Song (PDF) 

Fall Walk by Virginia Brimhall Snow

Resources:

Fall Walk Story Time Resource (PDF) 

Sky Color by Peter Reynolds

Resources: 

Sky Color Resources (PDF)

Apples and Robins by Lucie Felix

Resources: 

Apples and Robins Resource (PDF) 

Shape Cut-Outs (PDF) 

Nuts to You by Lois Ehlert

Resources: 

Nuts to You Resource (PDF) 

Goodbye Summer, Hello Autumn by Kenard Pak

Resources: 

Goodbye Summer, Hello Autumn Resources (PDF) 

Fairy Houses by Tracy Kane

Resources: 

Fairy Houses Resources (PDF)

Leaf Man by Lois Ehlert

Resources:

Leaf Man Resources (PDF) 

Leaf Faces and Muddy Smiles Activity (PDF) 

Leaf Guide (PDF) 

Tap the Magic Tree by Christie Matheson

Resources: 

Tap the Magic Tree Resources (PDF)

Over in the Garden Story Time

Resources: 

Over in the Garden Resources (PDF) 

Insect Scavenger Hunt (PDF) 

Insect Guide (PDF) 

Black Book of Colors Story Time

Resources: 

Black Book of Colors Resources (PDF) 

Black Book of Colors Classroom Ideas (PDF)

Braille Alphabet (PDF)

Not a Box Story Time

Resources: 

Not a Box Resources (PDF) 

50 Cool Things To Do With a Cardboard Box (PDF) 

What’s in the Garden? Story Time

Resources: 

What’s in the Garden Resources (PDF) 

Garden Recipes (PDF)

Singing in the Rain Story Time

Resources: 

Singing in the Rain Resources (PDF) 

50 Ways to Play in the Rain (PDF) 

Pond Circle Story Time

Resources:

Pond Circle Resources (PDF) 

Pond Dipping Guide (PDF) 

Jo MacDonald Hiked in the Woods Story Time

Resources:

Jo MacDonald Hiked in the Woods Resource (PDF) 

Animal Homes Scavenger Hunt Sheet (PDF) 

A Hiking We Go Activity (PDF) 

Ruby’s Birds Story Time

Resources:

Ruby’s Birds Resource (PDF) 

Bird Hunt Sheet (PDF) 

Easy Bird Identification Tips (PDF) 

The Thing About Bees: A Love Story Story Time

Resources:

The Thing About Bees Resource (PDF) 

5 Things Kids Can Do to Help Pollinators (PDF) 

Flower Hunt Sheet (PDF) 

One Love Story Time

Resources:

One Love (PDF)

Why We Must Talk about Race in Early Childhood Education (PDF)

10 Tips for Teaching and Talking about Race, English (PDF)   & Spanish (PDF)

National Parks & Recreation Association Community Gardening Handbook (PDF)

Summer Days and Nights Story Time

Resources:

Summer Days and Nights Resource (PDF)

Colour Hunt ID (PDF)

Some Bug Story Time

Resources:

Ladybird Lifecycle I-dial (PDF) 

Insect Guide (PDF)

Mini-beast Flying ID (PDF) 

Some Bugs Story Time Resource (PDF)

The Busy Tree Story Time

Here are some resources:

The Busy Tree Story Time Resources (PDF)

Busy Tree Curriculum Guide (PDF)

Ancient Tree Spotter Sheet (PDF)

Let’s Learn About Trees Coloring Book (PDF)

Stick & Stone Story Time

Resources:

Stick & Stone Resources (PDF)

Stick & Stone Activity Kit (PDF)

Stick Activities for Families

Did you know that a stick is the number one open-ended toy? Guess what, it is! Sticks are very much a part of children’s play. It is truly inspiring to observe how children approach and use sticks in different ways.  Before you watch our video, you might want to go on a Twig Hunt (PDF)! Your kids are probably creative and have thought of all manner of things to do with them, but if not, here are 20 more things to do with sticks (PDF).
Want to learn more about how you can incorporate loose parts like sticks into learning? See our Loose Parts Resources (PDF).

Nature’s Treasures

There are many hidden treasures in the outdoors and each one has a special place in nature. Remember when you’re outdoors to take time and observe because most of the time these items are overlooked and not noticed. Children’s Educator Tarneshia Evans shares a resource sheet about exploring nature’s treasures and how you can reuse egg cartons to make a treasure chest.

Exploring Spring with Your Family

Spring is full of surprises; every day is different! Children’s Educator Tarneshia Evans shares a fun activity for kids: making a “nest” out of a paper bag. Learn more resources for exploring spring with your family, including experienced a blossom shower and going on a flower hunt.

Bird Watching with Kids

Tarneshia shares more about activities related to birds (below) and you can check out the related blog post about bird watching with kids for more great resources.

Explore the Forest

Learn how to make your own nature box, use animal puppets and animal tracks to bring the forest alive for your children.  Still want to learn more? See our Forest Story Time Resources (PDF), join in on a Wild Relay Race and search for animal homes with this ID Sheet (PDF)

Gardening

Learn more about spring vegetable gardening in the Kroger Community Kitchen Garden with Senior Horticulturist Laurel Matthew. She even includes great planting tips!

See More Activities for Kids

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Tarneshia Evans

Children’s Program Developer Tarneshia is an award-winning educator who has worked with kids for more than 20 years. She’s an advocate for promoting high-quality early childhood environmental education and she loves seeing youth engaged with and immersed in nature. When she’s not teaching, you can find her volunteering for PBS, Richmond Public Libraries, and other community events.

Kelsey Deans

Children’s Educator Kelsey brings you a weekly themed Children’s Garden check-in. We hope you and your kids learn something new while you watch!

Mitra Bryant

Children’s Program Developer Mitra never ceases to be amazed by the wonders of nature and always feels inspired by the joy children experience while exploring the natural world.