Welcome back to the series on exploring nature with your 5 senses. If you missed the first part on sight you can find that blog post here. Today we will use our sense of hearing to explore nature and the great outdoors!
Getting out into nature has so many benefits. This is true not only for our children but adults as well. Lots of exercise, fresh air and it is calming too. Today we will explore the sense of hearing with a variety of activities you can do. I encourage you to adapt these according to the ages and development of your children. Most of these can be done as a whole family which then builds connection and fantastic memories.
1. Go on a listening scavenger hunt. Be sure to grab one of the scavenger hunts from the previous blog post and recording worksheets. You can also bring along the nature journal you made last time (check it out here) and keep track of all the interesting sounds you hear.
2. Try to listen in the same spot at different times. Compare how things change throughout the day, different weather, different seasons.
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| Feeding the birds |
3. Listen for bird calls and try to identify which bird they belong to. Maybe one was a squirrel.
4. What animals frequent your yard, or local park? Look up what sounds they make. Can you hear them now when you are out? It can be much more meaningful for children to learn about animals and things they can observe, touch, get to know personally. Maybe you have a pet that your kids can listen for.
5. What does each season sound like? How can you tell just by listening? Listen to the sound of leaves, footsteps in the snow, rain and thunder.
4. What animals frequent your yard, or local park? Look up what sounds they make. Can you hear them now when you are out? It can be much more meaningful for children to learn about animals and things they can observe, touch, get to know personally. Maybe you have a pet that your kids can listen for.
5. What does each season sound like? How can you tell just by listening? Listen to the sound of leaves, footsteps in the snow, rain and thunder.
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| Everyone can get into nature |
6. Listen for the wind. How does it change on different surfaces? Can you hear the wind through the cracks in the door at home?
7. Make a wind chime. Here is your chance to get creative and test out different objects. What do they sound like hitting each other? Are they too light or heavy to move? How long should we make the string? Where is the windiest place in the yard?(Wow look at all the math and science going on along with music).
8. Can use make an instrument using natural objects? Try using rocks, seed pods, sticks, water, stumps. Maybe you could create a whole music wall or corner of the yard.
7. Make a wind chime. Here is your chance to get creative and test out different objects. What do they sound like hitting each other? Are they too light or heavy to move? How long should we make the string? Where is the windiest place in the yard?(Wow look at all the math and science going on along with music).
8. Can use make an instrument using natural objects? Try using rocks, seed pods, sticks, water, stumps. Maybe you could create a whole music wall or corner of the yard.
9. What do stones and sticks sound like when they are hit? Try to vary the size and length of the sticks. Experiment with tapping tricks against different objects, trees, leaves, the path.
10. Can you imitate the sounds you hear? Can you sound like rain, or wind, a bird? Maybe make this into a game of charades.
11. Play games! Try sound hide and seek. Hide well but make a sound to see if your friends can find you. Or pretend you are a tracker looking for animals, listen closely to their animal sounds.
12. Make a sound map of your yard. Draw a picture of yourself in the middle of the page and estimate the direction of the different sounds you can hear around you.
10. Can you imitate the sounds you hear? Can you sound like rain, or wind, a bird? Maybe make this into a game of charades.
11. Play games! Try sound hide and seek. Hide well but make a sound to see if your friends can find you. Or pretend you are a tracker looking for animals, listen closely to their animal sounds.
12. Make a sound map of your yard. Draw a picture of yourself in the middle of the page and estimate the direction of the different sounds you can hear around you.
13. Learn all about animals with excellent hearing. You could watch videos, read books, visit zoos and wildlife centres, look for these animals outside and more.
Some animals may include:
Moth - have the best hearing in the world
Bats
Elephants
Dogs
Cats
Horse
Dolphin
Rats and Pigeons
What about animals with terrible hearing
Octopi, squid and cuttlefish have no auditory receptors at all.
Turtles also don't have good hearing.
Here are some extra links to help you explore. I would love to connect with you on Facebook. Let me know what activities you did, share your pictures too!
My Pinterest board
Another family exploring hearing
Top 10 Animals with the Best Hearing
Be sure to check out the rest of the series as they are posted
What a fun idea! Love it! Looking foward to the rest of the series!
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