See the woods for the trees

Trees are a basic element of Christmas, and they are a vital part of our everyday life. Explore this natural resource in these activities.

CONNECT:

• Get the basic facts and benefits of trees at http://www.kidzone.ws/plants/trees.htm
• Through videos, games and more explore photosynthesis, old field progression, how to measure trees, how city building affects forests, tree harvesting, and much more at http://www.sites.ext.vt.edu/virtualforest/
• Why do leaves change color in the fall? What are leaves? What do they do? Find out at http://www.sciencemadesimple.com/leaves.html
• Trace this timeline of the Christmas tree: http://www.reindeerland.org/christmas-tree/christmas-tree-history-timeline.htm
• Watch how maple syrup is made at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=I_YZmUrNueo
• Check out fun apple facts: information about apple trees and popular apple varieties that you might find in your lunch box. http://www.sciencekids.co.nz/sciencefacts/food/apples.html

CREATE:

• This is a fun interactive site all about trees. You can even create your own at http://www.treetures.com/Meet1.htm
• Discover facts and information about the artwork of Native American Indians and the authentic traditional methods they used, and how to make a totem pole at https://www.warpaths2peacepipes.com/native-indian-art/how-to-make-a-totem-pole.htm
• Try these family-friendly tree crafts: http://www.busybeekidscrafts.com/Tree-Crafts-for-Kids.html
• What food comes from trees? Find out at http://globaltrees.org/threatened-trees/tree-values/food/, and taste some of them.
• Would you like to make things with wood? Try these: http://www.artistshelpingchildren.org/woodcraftsforkidsprojectsideas.html

CARE:

• Check out this website to learn all about real Christmas trees, how they are produced, and why you should consider using real Christmas trees for your holiday celebrations. http://www.christmastrees.on.ca/virtual-tree-farm/christmas-tree-history/25.html#
• This official site for Arbor Day explains this holiday and how you can help conserve trees and how to plant a tree of your own. There is also a tree identification guide at https://www.arborday.org/
• Tree nut allergy is the second most common allergy in infants and young children. Learn about it, and how to address it at http://www.kidswithfoodallergies.org/page/tree-nut-allergy.aspx
• Use these identification guides to create a neighborhood tree trail: http://www.treeremoval.com/tree-identification/

CAREERS:

Here are 50 urban careers related to trees: http://www.urbanforest.org/index.cfm/fuseaction/Pages.Page/id/430

See the forest careers through the trees at http://www.allaboutcareers.com/careers/career-path/forestry-trees-timber

Dig Up the Dirt on Dirt

Dirt. It’s all around us, but do we really notice it – besides under our fingernails? Dirt is necessary for life. You'll hit pay dirt with these activities.

CONNECT:

• What’s the dirt on dirt? See this dirt-y video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=if29mjcd5bc
• Not all dirt is the same. Read about the difference at http://www.scienceforkidsclub.com/dirt-on-dirt.html
• Soil – the final frontier! See why at https://school.discoveryeducation.com/schooladventures/soil/
• Why does rain give off at fresh earthy small? Discover the answer at http://www.livescience.com/49520-smell-of-rain-aerosols.html
• Read animals that really dig dirt: http://www.earthtouchnews.com/natural-world/animal-behaviour/for-world-soil-day-6-animals-that-really-dig-the-dirt

CREATE:

• Tour the underground, and dig into dirt: http://archive.fieldmuseum.org/undergroundadventure/
• (Dirty) Fun: Get elbow deep in some dirt! Try these kid-friendly activities: http://www.nwf.org/what-we-do/kids-and-nature/why-get-kids-outside/dirt-is-great.aspx
• Need an excuse to get dirty? From construction activities to art with dirt, explore these dirt sensory activities: http://handsonaswegrow.com/30-dirty-kid-activities/
• Go eat dirt?? Here’s a recipe for a yummy pudding that looks like dirt, complete with worms: http://pbskids.org/zoom/activities/cafe/dirtpudding.html
• Play dirt detective at http://www.history.org/kids/games/dirtdetective.cfm

CARE:

• Let kids eat dirt. So says Time magazine: http://time.com/2828841/why-you-should-let-kids-eat-dirt/
• But there are also hazards in eating dirt. Know what’s good and bad about it: http://www.aboutkidshealth.ca/En/News/NewsAndFeatures/Pages/The-hazards-and-benefits-of-eating-dirt.aspx
• Celebrate the importance of mud on International Mud Day. http://www.kodokids.org/history-international-mud-day/ even shows you how to put on a mud event. It’s real hands-on fun!
• Having too much fun in the dirt? http://www.howtocleanstuff.net/how-to-remove-dirt-and-mud-stains/ shows you how to remove dirt and mud stains.
• Be a part of the KidsGardening Movement: https://www.kidsgardening.org/

CAREERS:

• Dig dirt? You might have the makings of an archeologist: https://www.nps.gov/archeology/public/kids/index.htm
• Or grow your career as a gardener or related fields: http://www.growcareers.info/
• Or dig into social science as a career: https://www.soils.org/careers

Let It Snow!

Snow is cool! Both literally and figuratively. Don’t be a flake – have fun discovering the uniqueness of snow with these activities.

CONNECT:

• Some animals love the snow, such as the snowshoe hare: http://dnr.wi.gov/org/caer/ce/eek/critter/mammal/hare.htm
• What does it take to become an Olympic skier? Read all about them at http://usskiteam.com/
• Who built the first Snowboard? When was the first Snowboard competition? Find answers to this and more questions at http://www.sbhistory.de/
• Yeti means “magical creature” in Tibetan, but many know this scary creature as the Abominable Snowman. Read about the legend at http://www.scaryforkids.com/yeti/
• You may have heard that “No two snowflakes are alike.” You can thank Snowflake Bentely and his scientific photography for that fact. His discoveries are revealed at http://www.snowflakebentley.com/

CREATE:

• Create your own unique snowflake by following the directions at http://www.papersnowflakes.com/papersnowflakes
• Make your own snow globe. PBS shows you how: http://www.pbs.org/parents/crafts-for-kids/homemade-snow-globes/
• Here are 101 fun activities to do in the snow: https://www.care.com/c/stories/3931/101-snow-games-and-activities-for-kids/
• Try your hand at these snowman crafts, activities and recipes: http://happyhooligans.ca/25-snowman-crafts-activities-treats/

CARE:

• Read Severe Weather 101 to keep safe in winter storms: http://www.nssl.noaa.gov/education/svrwx101/winter/
• See how to treat frostbite at http://www.wikihow.com/Treat-Frostbite
• Learn about the International Snow Leopard Trust, which is dedicated to the conservation of the endangered snow leopard and its mountain ecosystem. You can also donate or adopt one. See https://www.snowleopard.org
• Keep the fun in snowboarding by keeping safe. Check out these safety tips: http://kidshealth.org/en/teens/safety-snowboarding.html
• You don’t need snow to get snow blindness. See the facts at http://www.allaboutvision.com/conditions/snowblind.htm

CAREERS:

Love snow and the seasons in general? Think about these climate careers:

http://www.wmo.int/youth/careers

https://www.ametsoc.org/ams/index.cfm/education-careers/career-guides-tools/all-about-careers-in-meteorology/

Or think about careers in snow sports: manufacturing, sales, clothing, touristing, or athletics:

http://www.outdoorindustryjobs.com/snowsportsrindustry-resources.asp

http://www.snowsports.org/research-surveys/snow-sports-fact-sheet/

or even be a ski bum:

http://www.5280.com/magazine/2013/11/ultimate-guide-modern-day-ski-bum?page=full

http://www.onthesnow.com/news/a/83041/doing-a-ski-season--the-highs-and-lows

Amuse Yourself with Theme Parks

Theme parks offer lots of fun: with attractions, rides and games. Enjoy theme virtually here.

CONNECT:

• Theme parks began to appear as early as 1550 in Europe. Trace this theme park timeline: http://www.napha.org/LIBRARYRESOURCES/FactsFigures/GreatMoments/tabid/69/Default.aspx  This website has other resources about historic aspects of amusement parks.
• Disney parks have changed over the years, but this website http://www.yesterland.com/ has preserved information about discontinued Disney attractions.
• Europe helps preserve their traditional buildings and ways of life through open air folk museums; see some of them virtually at https://www.ricksteves.com/watch-read-listen/read/articles/europes-folk-museums
• Europe also has fascinating sculpture parks: https://www.theguardian.com/travel/2016/sep/05/10-best-sculpture-parks-europe
• Did you know that the word “carousel” originally meant “little war”? Find out the reason for that connotation, and how carousels have developed over the centuries: at http://www.carouselmuseum.com/history.html

CREATE:

• What are are the forces behind theme park fun? Explore at http://www.learner.org/interactives/parkphysics/
• Want to design your own thrilling coaster? Use this simulator to create one: http://www.funderstanding.com/educators/coaster/
• Enjoy “My Fantastic Park” virtually: http://www.myfantasticpark.com/
• Want to create your own amusement park? Here’s how: http://www.wikihow.com/Start-an-Amusement-Park
• Create a “trivia” game using these little known factors about theme parks: http://www.iaapa.org/resources/by-park-type/amusement-parks-and-attractions/trivia

CARE:

• It’s not fun when you have an accident, even in a theme park. The following website http://www.rideaccidents.com/ lists amusement ride accidents so you can be aware of the risks associated with amusement rides – and are more willing to follow warning and procedures.
• Learn how to keep yourself and your family safe when you visit amusement parks and carnivals: see http://www.saferparks.org/
• Want to get more active in theme parks, especially roller coasters? Join an enthusiast club: http://www.themeparkcity.com/itps/L_enthusiast.htm
• Theme parks also give back to their communities, such as Disney Voluntears: https://publicaffairs.disneyland.com/voluntears/. Some theme parks also support community volunteers – check out the local opportunities.

CAREERS:

Like people? Art? Construction? Food? Finance? Architecture? Engineering? Acting? Music? Like working outside – or inside? There’s a job for you in the theme/amusement part industry sector.

http://www.reluctantgourmet.com/hospitality-theme-park-careers/

http://www.collegexpress.com/articles-and-advice/career-search/blog/somebody-does-theme-entertainment-design/

http://www.insidethemagic.net/2010/04/want-to-be-a-theme-park-designer-disney-imagineer-and-universal-creative-experts-offer-advice/

Let There Be Light

We live in the light, and live because of light. We also make light. From caveman fire to LEDs, humans have created artificial light. The following websites shed light on these technologies.

CONNECT:

• 2015 was the International Year of Light; explore aspects of that focus at http://www.light2015.org/Home/HandsOnInvolvement/Kids-and-Optics.html
• Get the facts about traffic lights: http://mocomi.com/facts-about-traffic-lights/
• Light bulbs are not created equally. What are the different types of light bulbs – and how are they used? Find out at http://www.hgtv.com/design/decorating/design-101/light-bulbs-know-the-different-types
• Explore the science of visual illusions at https://faculty.washington.edu/chudler/chvision.html

CREATE:

• These experiments help you understand the physics of light; impress your friends with your new ability to manipulate light and color using nothing but a few gumballs and a shoebox: http://www.optics4kids.org/home/content/classroom-activities/
• Turn on the lights and discover the science subject of light for kids with our cool range of experiments, free games, science fair projects, fun facts, interesting quizzes, videos and more! http://www.sciencekids.co.nz/light.html
• Try these light science “snacks” at https://www.exploratorium.edu/snacks/subject/light
• Build your own light bulb at http://thekidshouldseethis.com/post/19783357736

CARE:

• Watch this video to see ways to conserve light: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3OEU1oAEIIE
• Play these light saving games: http://kidsenergyzone.com/games/activitiesdetail63.cfm?activityid=8
• See how soda bottles bring light to developing countries: Li https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=o-Fpsw_yYPg&context=C471073aADvjVQa1PpcFPuD_FyHIflhu3QwP3_77YHLeST6AK4VS8=
• Can lights be intelligent? Find out the answer at http://futurecity.glasgow.gov.uk/intelligent-street-lighting/

CAREERS:

Time to shine a light on possible careers: science, manufacturing, construction, interior designing, theater, technician.  Here are some options:

http://www.sciencemag.org/careers/2004/10/seeing-light

http://freshome.com/2014/10/13/10-things-you-should-know-about-becoming-an-interior-designer/

http://www.allaboutcareers.com/careers/job-profile/lighting-technician-broadcasting-film

http://www.bls.gov/ooh/construction-and-extraction/electricians.htm

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