Looking for nature’s camouflage is a wonderful science activity for young children!
We were playing outside when Emma nearly stepped on this moth, prompting a discussion of camouflage and how many animals are designed to blend into local vegetation. I brought out our magnifying glass, and all three kids examined the moth closely:
Then they found a bunch of other things to look at through the magnifying glass:
And eventually turned to general goofiness:
We put the magnifying glass away when they decided to see how far its hinges would bend in the wrong direction…
Let me know what your kids find when you take THEM on a camouflage hunt out in nature!
This post is part of Timberdoodle’s outdoor learning blog hop. Share your links below.Share comments and feedback below, on my Facebook page, or by tagging me on Instagram. Sign up for my newsletter to receive book recommendations, crafts, activities, and parenting tips in your inbox every week.
MaryAnne lives in Silicon Valley with her Stanford professor husband Mike and their four children. She is passionate about parenting through education, creativity, and play. Mama Smiles - Joyful Parenting is a space to share crafts, activities, and family outings that enrich lives and bring families together.
Elisa | blissfulE says
Very cool! This reminds me of two things: (1) I’ve been meaning to buy my kids a magnifying glass, and (2) Ben called me over last night after the kids were asleep to look at an inchworm who was clearly lost since he was on our newly primed wall. He looked like he had a piece of bark on his back and would have blended perfectly into a tree trunk. The “bark” disguise was 4 times his width and nearly as long as he was.
.-= Elisa | blissfulE´s last blog ..gardening without work – 1st garden update =-.
maryanne says
@Elisa – magnifying glasses are so much fun for little kids! And that inchworm sounds really cool!
Ticia says
Note to self, remember to take magnifying glass outside. Kids would love it.
.-= Ticia´s last blog ..stART- We’re Going on a Ghost Hunt =-.
Natalie says
I love how Lily had to be in on the action too. Magnifying glasses are such a useful tool for outside exploration. I keep thinking of getting Anna a better glass than a cheapo one that she has, but she seems perfectly happy with it and I am not worried about scratches and such.
.-= Natalie´s last blog ..We Play With Water =-.
maryanne says
@Natalie – We really like this one, if you do decide to get her a nicer one – and it’s less than $10, which was cheaper than some similar ones I was looking at.
@Ticia – It keeps my kids occupied for a LONG time outside!
@Our Nifty Notebook – We love it! We got it from Lakeshore Learning:
http://www.lakeshorelearning.com/seo/ca|productSubCat~~p|LC1102~~f|/Assortments/Lakeshore/ShopByCategory/science/suppliesequipment.jsp
jeannine: waddlee-ah-chaa says
Isn’t it great the way we can learn so much in our own backyards!
I like the big magnifying glass. Do you remember where you got it?
.-= jeannine: waddlee-ah-chaa´s last blog ..Devilishly Delicious and Easy Pumpkin Muffins- FREE printable recipe guides for children =-.
maryanne says
@jeannine – It’s called the Big View Magnifier from Lakeshore Learning. I tracked it down after seeing it on another blog!
Our Nifty Notebook says
That is an awesome magnifier!
.-= Our Nifty Notebook´s last blog ..CSN Stores Product Review- Virco Student Desk & Chair =-.
Elise says
Magnifying glasses outside are so much fun. I once remember reading an idea where you use some masking tape to “draw” a square on a particualr area whether it be a tree trunk, a patch of grass etc and then use your magnifying glass to see how many different discoveries you can make within the square. We are yet to do this.
We have that same progression – all serious and focused and then it gets silly :). Some great learning can still happen when we get silly.
Your pictures of Lily are adorable, she looks like she has a bubbly personality.
Emma’s drawings are very impressive. I can imagine that this must be a special father daughter time when your two artists draw together and create not only special pictures but precious memories.
Jen says
How awesome that it turned into such an educational time with a bit of silliness added for extra flavor!
.-= Jen´s last blog ..Birthday Paintings =-.
maryanne says
@Elise – We should try that masking tape idea sometime. Lily has a very fun and friendly personality, we have a great time with her and are so glad she is part of our family! And I love Emma’s drawing lessons with Mike =)
@Jen – I love that my kids can learn and have fun at the same time =)
Beth says
We love exploring with our magnifying glass too. Yours is much bigger – how fun!
Two Chicks and a Hen says
Wow–I agree, that is a very cool magnifying glass. I might add it to our Christmas list. And I’m sorry, but I had to laugh about their experiment bending it in the wrong direction. It’s very much something that would happen in my house.
.-= Two Chicks and a Hen´s last blog ..How We Celebrate Half-Birthdays =-.
maryanne says
@Two Chicks and a Hen – Great kids think alike? =)
It is a great magnifying glass, it took me a while to hunt it down, but I’m glad I did! It even folds flat for storage – which, of course, is why it HAS hinges to bend…
Debbie says
There is no better activity here then when we pull out our magnifying glass. Selena just absolutely loves using hers. What a great way to explore camouflage!
Almost Unschoolers says
It’s amazing how crazy magnifying glasses can make kids – but then, I enjoy running all over the yard with them, almost as much as the kids do!
.-= Almost Unschoolers´s last blog ..The Mystery Tree Revealed – Fall Science For Children =-.
Tami says
I love when those teachable moments happen. It makes learning so much worth while.
.-= Tami´s last blog ..Spider Math =-.
Susana says
This is a really good Science lesson, but my favorite thing is the last picture of Emma:-).
.-= Susana´s last blog ..BOB Books Winner =-.
maryanne says
@Susana – I love that photo too – she’s such a ham!
JDaniel4's Mom says
My son loves roaming the yard with his magnifying glass too.
.-= JDaniel4’s Mom´s last blog ..ReadExploreLearn-Fire Safety =-.