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Day 37: Flower pounding and a nature riddle

Harpswell Heritage Land Trust
May 12, 2020

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

This insect can be mistaken for a hummingbird! What is it? Click here to read more about this fascinating animal.

Flower pounding

This is an easy and fun activity for all ages. It involves nature observation and collecting, and it’s magical to see the amazing colors and patterns left behind by flowers and leaves.

The first step is to gather your materials. You will need:

  • Fresh flowers and leaves. You might be surprised at how many different kinds you can find! Look on the ground and in trees.
  • A board or anything sturdy that can get hammered on.
  • A piece of white fabric or heavy paper. You can sew a pocket into the edge to make this a flag like we did, or not.
  • A hammer.
  • A piece of cardboard (anything from your recycling will work).

The process is simple!

  1. Place the fabric on the board.
  2. Place the flower or leaf on the fabric.
  3. Place the cardboard on the flower or leaf.
  4. Bang on the cardboard with the hammer on top of where you placed the flower.
  5. Pick up the cardboard.
  6. Repeat!