For Parents
Welcome to our For Parents resource page! Here you will find our Green Time and Art in Nature video series. You can also find information about California Parks and resource activities and links from our partners at the bottom of this page.
Green Time Video Series
Want to know more about bringing garden-based education to your own backyard? Look no further! Green Time episodes replace Screen Time giving parents lessons and activities to do with their children at home.
Best NestAre you curious about how and why birds build their nests? Find out and build one yourself!
This activity comes from one of our 1st grade lessons, but with adult supervision can be enjoyed by people ages 3-99! |
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Colonial Uses of Plants |
Symmetry in Fruit |
How to Make Vinaigrette |
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In this episode of Green Time, you will learn how to dye cloth using natural resources.
Click here for a guide on how to create your own plant dye This activity comes from one of our 5th grade lessons, but with adult supervision can be enjoyed by people ages 3-99! |
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Three Sisters GardenIn this episode of Green Time we will teach you to plant a traditional Native American 3 sisters garden. You will learn about how the three sisters are an example of companion planting
This activity comes from one of our 3rd grade lessons, but with adult supervision can be enjoyed by people ages 3-99!. |
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Garden of Senses |
Eating the Whole Plant |
Mudshakes |
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Use your five senses to explore your garden! What do you see, hear, touch, and smell in your garden?
Click here to download a journal guide This activity comes from one of our Kindergarten lessons, but with adult supervision can be enjoyed by people ages 2-99! |
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Parts of a FlowerIn this episode of Green Time we will learn about all of the parts of a flower by dissecting one together and exploring each part.
Click here for an illustration of the flower parts This activity comes from one of our 2nd grade lessons, but with adult supervision can be enjoyed by people ages 3-99! |
How to Plant a SeedlingIn this episode of Green Time, we will learn about how seedlings germinate and how to properly transplant these seedlings into your garden or container.
This activity is associated with many of our lessons and can be enjoyed by anyone age 2-99. |
Animal HomesIn this episode of Green Time find out why and how animals build homes then go on a scavenger to find some!
Click here for a downloadable guide for your scavenger hunt This activity comes from one of our 1st grade lessons, but with adult supervision can be enjoyed by people ages 2-99! |
Bug HotelIn this episode of Green Time you will learn about the FBI: Fungi, Bacteria, and Invertebrates. Invite the FBI to your yard by making a bug hotel!
This activity comes from one of our 2nd grade lessons, but with adult supervision can be enjoyed by people ages 3-99! How to Make CompostIn this video you will learn how to make compost with Chef Alexis!
This activity comes from one of our 3rd grade lessons, but with adult supervision can be enjoyed by people ages 3-99. How to Make Garden TeaIn this episode of Green Time, you will learn how to make a tea and a teabag.
This activity comes from one of our 1st grade lessons but, with adult supervision, can be enjoyed by people ages 4-99! |
Building a Worm HabitatIn this episode of Green Time you will learn about those amazing decomposers, worms!
This activity comes from one of our 3rd grade lessons, but with adult supervision can be enjoyed by people ages 3-99! Saving Heirloom Tomato SeedsLearn how to save seeds from heirloom tomatoes and grow your favorite tomatoes year after year!
Clarification: Please note that it is actually a mixture of organisms (a variety of fungi and bacteria) that are responsible for decomposing the jelly membrane around the tomato seeds, not just yeast. This activity comes from one of our 3rd grade lessons, but with adult supervision can be enjoyed by people ages 3-99! |
How to Attract MonarchsIn this episode of Green Time we will learn all about how generations of Monarchs migrate across the US and the environmental factors which threaten the species.
This activity comes from one of our 6th grade lessons, but with adult supervision can be enjoyed by people ages 3-99. Cordage Bracelet MakingIn this episode of Green Time, you will learn how to make a cordage bracelet. This activity comes from one of our 4th grade lessons but, with adult supervision, can be enjoyed by people ages 4-99!
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Art in Nature Series
In this four part series, we will create art with nature. In this activity we will collect natural materials on a walk which we will make art projects with. You will need to collect each part of a plant: root, stem, leaf, seed, flower, and fruit.
Nature CreaturesIn this three part series, we will create art with nature. In this activity we will collect natural materials on a walk which we will make various creatures with. You will need to collect each part of a plant: root, stem, leaf, seed, flower, and fruit.
This activity is not associated with a particular lesson and can be enjoyed by anyone age 3-99. |
Spelling With NatureIn this second video of the three part series, we will collect natural materials on a walk which we will write words with. You will need to collect each part of a plant: root, stem, leaf, seed, flower, and fruit.
This activity is not associated with a particular lesson. and can be enjoyed by anyone age 3-99. |
Quiet Leaf Tracing
In this activity you will find three leaves to creatively trace and color. Allow yourself to use this activity as an opportunity to relax and meditate.
This activity is not associated with a particular lesson and can be enjoyed by anyone age 3-99.
California State Park Health Guidelines
Many Parks and Open Spaces continue to be open and a necessary part of public health during the shelter in place order. Please be advised that as of March 24, 2020 state park officials are taking measures to reduce the number of people coming to public parks which include some park closures. Get more information on park closures here. We must each do our part to protect the health and safety of ourselves and others.
Do your part by following these guidelines:
Many Parks and Open Spaces continue to be open and a necessary part of public health during the shelter in place order. Please be advised that as of March 24, 2020 state park officials are taking measures to reduce the number of people coming to public parks which include some park closures. Get more information on park closures here. We must each do our part to protect the health and safety of ourselves and others.
Do your part by following these guidelines:
- Maintain a safe distance of 6 feet or more from others
- Stay home if you or anyone else in your household are experiencing symptoms of illness
- Do not congregate at parks or other public places
- Take out your own trash when you are at the park
- Choose less populated parks near your home
- Visit open parks
Partner Resources
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Activities
Backpocket Learning - easy to do, engaging activities for children which require few materials Bay Nature - provides a reading list and other nature activities which allow you to connect with nature from home Bioblitz - scroll to the bottom to find printable fliers for the budding field guide Big Green at Home - provides many gardening and cooking activities to do with the kids at home Biodiversity Bingo- Thanks to Grassroots Ecology for this Activity! Use the Bingo Card to the right to find all types of Biodiversity in your own backyard! Great Sunflower Project - this is a printable coloring page with a few pollinator fun facts Green Schoolyards - art projects can be done in your own yard too iNaturalist - document biodiversity around you, become a citizen scientist by uploading pictures and observations to this website Lawrence Hall of Science - free field journaling curriculum, complete with student activities and printable materials Mid-Peninsula Open Space - activities and games to learn more about nature at home Project Learning Tree - provides a list of free project learning tree activities to do at home POST - a printable coloring book of critters RAFT - many free STEAM activities Whole Kids Foundation - worksheets and activities to encourage good nutrition |
Resources California State Parks - sign up for free PORTS online learning programs where students may access natural resources and cultural heritage from home California Environmental Literacy Initiative - this newsletter includes several resources for creating an environmentally literate world Edible Schoolyard - this resource library contains lesson plans and materials that can be done at home Explore - enjoy over a hundred different wildlife live streams Garden Based Learning Distance Teaching Resource - a list of garden-based learning opportunities to do at home Growing Vegetable Soup-Make this delicious and nutritious soup from winter vegetables! This recipe comes from our first grade Growing Vegetable Soup lesson Grassroots Ecology - self-guided science lessons for elementary students JellyCam - Monterey Bay Aquarium gives you an up-close view of this Open Sea exhibit John Muir Laws - free curriculum on nature journaling Lawnstarter - 5 easy to grow vegetables this summer Our City Forest - Environmental sustainability and stewardship lesson plans for children from K-5 POST - California Peninsula Mountain Lions Webinar- please note this is graphic Saved by Nature - virtual nature experiences Schoolhouse Rock! Earth - Tiny Urban Zoo Why Save Water - by Los Altos Girl Scouts Xerces - Invertebrate education including curriculum, scouting exercises, crafts, and monitoring guides |