Outdoor activity ideas and inspiration

From mid-March to the end of May 2020, Harpswell Heritage Land Trust (HHLT) posted a simple outdoor activity idea and nature riddle for kids every weekday. Some days we also posted other resources, like downloadable chapters of the Junior Ranger Activity Book.

Created to support parents who found themselves homeschooling during the COVID-19 pandemic, these activity ideas are a great jumping off point for any outdoor adventure. Click here for a list with links to all 50 activity ideas.

Nature riddle

What lovely fur-bearing animal is known for its ability to swim like a rocket, and for its habit of sliding down snow and mud banks? Click here to read more about this fascinating animal.

Weaving with nature

Nature provides many colors and textures that are great for weaving. You can easily make a square or rectangular loom with sticks and yarn.

1. Take four sticks (Popsicle sticks like the photo or sticks you collect in the woods) and glue them together in the corners (I like hot glue, but other kinds of glue will work).
2. Tie a piece of yarn or string onto the square at one of the corners. Wrap the yarn around the square until it has parallel stripes of yarn (see photo).
3. Collect natural objects. Thin, long items work well.
4. Weave your natural objects into the loom. Take your first natural object and weave it over, under, over, under the yarn. With the next object, switch your overs and unders.