A Little Bit of Dirt: 55+ Science and Art Activities to Reconnect Children with Nature

by Asia Citro

Overview

Dandelion Bubbles, Rain Drums, Seed Bomb Lollipops and more!

Bursting with creative hands-on outdoor science and art activities, A Little Bit of Dirt is full of motivation to get outside and explore. Whether you're investigating the health of your local stream, making beautiful acrylic sunprints with leaves and flowers, running an experiment with your backyard birds, or concocting nature potions, you'll be fostering an important connection with nature. The engaging activities encourage the use of the senses and imagination and are perfect for all ages. Discover more about the natural world waiting just outside your door!

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781943147045
Publisher:	The Innovation Press
Publication date:	03/22/2016
Pages:	128
Sales rank:	733,213
Product dimensions:	7.00(w) x 9.00(h) x (d)
Age Range:	4 - 8 Years

About the Author

Asia Citro, M. Ed, is a former classroom science teacher and outdoor environmental camp director with a Master's in Science Education. She lives in Seattle, WA and is the author of 150+ Screen-Free Activities for Kids, The Curious Kid's Science Book, and the creator of the popular blog Fun at Home with Kids. Her work has been featured on Apartment Therapy, The Chicago Tribune, Today, Disney Baby, MSN, King 5 TV, Family Fun Magazine, and Highlights, among others.

Table of Contents

Introduction 9

A Note on Collecting Natural Objects 11

Framed Nature Art 12

Native Plants 14

Nature Boat 16

Dandelion Bubbles 18

Plaster Treasures 20

Story of the Lake 22

Decorated Sticks 26

Earthworm Tower 28

Texture Garden 30

Water Cycle Demonstrations 32

Nature Sensory Bottles 34

Nature Blocks 36

Surfaces Demonstration 38

Nature Cutting Tray 40

Frog Hunt 42

Nature Weaving 44

Investigate a Snail 46

Wild Seeds 48

Sticky Nature Bracelet 50

Rainbow Photo Challenge 53

Sweating Leaves Demonstration 54

Seed Bomb Lollipops 56

Underwater Viewer 58

Stream Water Quality 60

Nature Crown 66

Sink and float 69

Rain Drums 70

Pounding Art 72

Coloring Flowers 74

Rolling Nature Painting 77

Acrylic Paint Sun Prints 78

Outdoor Scavenger Hunt 81

Hake a Bug Hotel 82

Recycled Paper Postcards 84

Nature Potions 87

Leaf People 89

Mystery Games 90

Nature Wreath 95

Hake a Terrarium 96

Bird Beak Game 98

Create Bird Feeders 100

Nesting Materials for Birds 102

Foil Leaves 104

Soil Study 106

Mud Pies 109

Nature Journal 110

Flower Press 112

Nature Paintbrushes 114

Nature Faces 117

Leaf Luminaries 118

Negative Space Art 120

Nature Treasure Collections 123

Appendix A Resources 124

Appendix B Macroinvertebrate Identification Chart 125

Index 126

About the Author 128

Editorial Reviews

"Helping a child forge deep connections with nature is among the most powerful and lasting gifts that any of us can give. An essential ingredient on this journey is abundant, hands-on experiences in nearby nature. In this delightful book, Asia Citro offers up a smorgasbord of engaging activities, many of them marrying art and science as a catalyst to wonder. With A Little Bit of Dirt in your hands, you’re well on your way to becoming a star nature mentor for the kids in your life!"
-Scott D. Sampson, host of the hit PBS KIDS series Dinosaur Train, and author of How to Raise a Wild Child

“Spending time in nature can be a great way for parents and children to connect. Often, however, today’s parents feel unsure about how to guide their children’s time in nature so that it is meaningful and leads to a greater understanding and appreciation of the natural world. Luckily, Asia Citro’s new book A Little Bit of Dirt will guide, inspire, and encourage you to spend more time in nature as a family. This resourceful book contains many exciting project ideas designed to engage children and their parents while providing valuable lessons about nature and its processes. The Extensions ideas in each chapter are a wonderful way to scaffold the learning and increase children’s problem solving skills through open-ended questions.”
-Erin Kenny, Director of Cedarsong Nature School Author of Forest Kindergartens: The Cedarsong Way

“Asia Citro’s newest book A Little Bit of Dirt hits the right mark for giving parents, kids, and families simple and tangible ways for connecting with nature—just beyond the doorstep. Enticing photographs accompany fun, interactive exercises. An inspiring addition to the Nature Activity section of your bookshelf.”
-Clare Walker Leslie, Author of The Nature Connection and Keeping a Nature Journal

“In 10 years, your kids probably aren’t going to remember the video game or iPhone app they were playing, but I guarantee you they’ll remember digging in the dirt with the activities from this wonderful book. Get out there and get your hands dirty with them!”
-Stacy Tornio, Author of The Kids’ Outdoor Adventure Book and Project Garden

“This clearly designed book is full of easy-to-follow, achievable activities, inviting children to run outside, be creative, and discover the magic of the wild world.”
-Jo Schofield and Fiona Danks, Authors of The Stick Book and seven other Going Wild books

“Asia Citro’s book, A Little Bit of Dirt, inspires my imagination! Seriously. I can’t wait to make dandelion bubbles with the neighborhood kids! Kids love to be active, to be outdoors, to be creative. Asia’s book incorporates all of this and more. I highly recommend that all kids discover the outdoors through Asia’s creative activities, including my favorites: Nature Boats, Texture Garden, and Nature Weaving. Kids will learn to treasure and care for their outdoor environment while using imagination and creativity.”
-MaryAnn F. Kohl, Bestselling author of over 20 children’s art books

“A Little Bit of Dirt, recognizes, quite rightly, that nature is the perfect classroom for kids. Asia’s book is the ideal resource for anyone wanting to teach children important lessons through play, exploration... and getting just a little bit muddy!”
-Dawn Isaac, Author of 101 Things for Kids To Do Outside, 101 Things for Kids To Do On A Rainy Day, and Garden Crafts for Children

“With inviting photographs and activities that dazzle, Asia Citro’s A Little Bit of Dirt is a treasure trove of ideas to inspire families to get outside and delight in nature. From building and listening to Rain Drums to creating a Texture Garden, Earthworm Towers, Sun Prints, and Sticky Nature Bracelets, this book is chock full of fresh ideas for getting kids to wonder about the hows, the whys, and the what’s that nature has to offer. This book is going in my library and when it does, more than likely it will be well-worn and covered with a little bit of dirt!”
-Lynn Brunelle, Author of Camp Out! The Ultimate Kids’ Guide and Pop Bottle Science

From the Publisher

With inviting photographs and activities that dazzle, Asia Citro’s A Little Bit of Dirt is
a treasure trove of ideas to inspire families to get outside and delight in nature. From building and listening to Rain Drums to creating a Texture Garden, Earthworm Towers, Sun Prints, and Sticky Nature Bracelets, this book is chock full of fresh ideas for getting kids to wonder about the hows, the whys, and the what’s that nature has to offer. This book is going in my library and when it does, more than likely it will be well-worn and covered with a little bit of dirt!

Lynn Brunelle

A Little Bit of Dirt, recognizes, quite rightly, that nature is the perfect classroom for kids. Asia’s book is the ideal resource for anyone wanting to teach children important lessons through play, exploration... and getting just a little bit muddy!

Dawn Isaac

Asia Citro’s book, A Little Bit of Dirt, inspires my imagination! Seriously. I can’t wait
to make dandelion bubbles with the neighborhood kids! Kids love to be active, to be outdoors, to be creative. Asia’s book incorporates all of this and more. I highly recommend that all kids discover the outdoors through Asia’s creative activities, including my favorites: Nature Boats, Texture Garden, and Nature Weaving. Kids will learn to treasure and care for their outdoor environment while using imagination and creativity.

MaryAnn F. Kohl

This clearly designed book is full of easy-to-follow, achievable activities, inviting children to run outside, be creative, and discover the magic of the wild world.

Jo Schofield and Fiona Danks

In 10 years, your kids probably aren’t going to remember the video game or iPhone app they were playing, but I guarantee you they’ll remember digging in the dirt with the activities from this wonderful book. Get out there and get your hands dirty with them!

Stacy Tornio

Asia Citro’s newest book A Little Bit of Dirt hits the right mark for giving parents, kids, and families simple and tangible ways for connecting with nature—just beyond the doorstep. Enticing photographs accompany fun, interactive exercises. An inspiring addition to the Nature Activity section of your bookshelf.

Clare Walker Leslie

Spending time in nature can be a great way for parents and children to connect. Often, however, today’s parents feel unsure about how to guide their children’s time in nature
so that it is meaningful and leads to a greater understanding and appreciation of the natural world. Luckily, Asia Citro’s new book A Little Bit of Dirt will guide, inspire, and encourage you to spend more time in nature as a family. This resourceful book contains many exciting project ideas designed to engage children and their parents while providing valuable lessons about nature and its processes. The Extensions ideas in each chapter are
a wonderful way to scaffold the learning and increase children’s problem solving skills through open-ended questions.

Erin Kenny

"Helping a child forge deep connections with nature is among the most powerful and lasting gifts that any of us can give. An essential ingredient on this journey is abundant, hands-on experiences in nearby nature. In this delightful book, Asia Citro offers up a smorgasbord of engaging activities, many of them marrying art and science as a catalyst to wonder. With A Little Bit of Dirt in your hands, you’re well on your way to becoming a star nature mentor for the kids in your life!"

Scott D. Sampson