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Environment-based Activities for Ages 3-9
This section contains carefully selected science and environmental education activity books, DVD's, curricula, guides and other useful hands-on learning resources for young children.
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Environment-based Activities for ages 8-adult
This section contains a variety of science and environmental education activity books, DVD's, curricula, guides, games and other hands-on educational resources for ages 8-adult.
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Acorn Naturalists Discovery Kits and Modules
Acorn Naturalists has developed a wide array of activity kits and modules for teachers, outdoor educators and others interested in science and nature. In this section you will find a selection of some of our most popular items - educational resources available exclusively from Acorn Naturalists.
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Acorn Naturalists Outdoor Exploration Packs
Acorn Naturalists Get Outdoors!® Field Packs are designed for children ages 7-11. Each contains a selection of books and equipment related to the topic. Packs are designed as "starter kits" that initiate interest in the field while teaching basic observation and identification skills.
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Acorn Naturalists Family Science Adventure Kits
These kits were first developed by Acorn Naturalists over fifteen years ago and since that time, hundreds of children and parents have enjoyed using them to learn about different habitats. Includes Backyard, Chaparral, Tidepool, Creek and Oak Woodland kits.
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Learning through Journaling
Journaling instills in students a love of writing, and a subsequent desire to improve their observation skills. In any season, any weather or place, nature journaling encourages individuals to harness their creative energies into organized thoughts, integrating science with language arts, math, social studies, art and drama. Journals become the catalyst for developing new interests that can last a lifetime.
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Nature Upclose Series for Ages 3-7
This wonderful series helps young children understand how some of nature’s smallest creatures spend their days. Striking illustrations and lively storylines follow plants and animals through their lifecycles as they hunt for food, face predators and interact with humans. Addresses the need for quality books about what young children, ages 3-7, see in their yards and on neighborhood walks.
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Patterns in Nature Series for Ages 4-7
Young children are naturally curious about the world around them—this series introduces the fascinating patterns and sense of order found in the natural world. From day and night to hibernation, moon phases and seasons of the year, these books give young readers ages 4-7 insight into worlds that are, at once, both predictable and full of surprises.
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Science and Nature Games for Ages 4-9
This section includes a colorful selection of science and nature bingo games, each containing 42 illustrated cards with information on the back of each card. Bingo games also include six playing boards along with chips for placing on the appropriate square. The teacher or parent can call out the cards while at the same time reading the information on the back of the card. Different board arrangements for bingo can also be called out to add variation to the games. Educational fun for children ages 4-9.
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Living in a Biome Series for Ages 5-6
This series introduces young children in grades K-1 to the concept of animal adaptation in places as diverse as deserts, oceans, rainforests and polar regions. Children explore the diversity of global habitats and read about the animals that call these places home. Each of the eight books in the series has a glossary, a read more section, global maps, notes to parents and teachers and internet links.
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NatureScope Series for Ages 7-12
Naturescope has been used by thousands of teachers during the past decade. During that time, it has been in print/out of print several times. It was originally produced as part of National Wildlife's Ranger Rick series, later was published by Harcourt Brace, which has now discontinued printing it. We purchased the last remaining stock of both soft and hardcover NatureScopes which we will offer as long as supplies last. The hardcover versions are library bound for maximum durability, hence their higher price (compared to softcover).
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Big Science Ideas Series for Ages 8-9
This series offers an ideal way to help students in grades 2-3 understand key science concepts by focusing on specific key topics. Captivating text is accompanied by dramatic color photographs.
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Life Cycle Series for Ages 8-10
Dramatic color photographs and clearly written text document the life history of six common yet fascinating arthropods, from egg to adult. Perfect for teaching children in grades 2-4 (ages 8-10) about animal life cycles using species that many will be familiar with.
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Green Team Series for Ages 9-10
Each book in this series encourages children in grades 3-4 to take basic steps to protect their environment and work toward a sustainable future. Each volume features case studies that show how children can take part in addressing each concern.
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Exploring the Biomes Series for Ages 8-11
From dry deserts to lush rain forests, readers learn about the plants and animals that have adapted to each biome. Each profiles real-life scientists—field notes found throughout each book add interest and reality to the explorations. Ages 8-11.
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Energy Revolution Series for Ages 10-11
Introduces students in grades 4-5 to the fast-changing arena of energy production and use. Each title begins with a definition of the energy form being discussed, followed by challenges faced by each form of energy. This series provides a well-rounded picture of alternative energy sources. Each volume features an engaging, grade-level appropriate text and color photographs.
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Food Chain Series (by biome) for Ages 11-13
This series for grades 5-7 (ages 11-13) brilliantly combines biological regions and food chain concepts. Beautiful photography and an engaging text introduce readers to the diverse flora and fauna of each biome. Plant/animal and animal/animal interactions are described as they combine to form unique food chain relationships. These Green Books are printed with non-toxic ink and recycled boardstock.
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Take-a-Walk Series for Ages 8-13
These engaging activity books introduce children to the world at their doorstep, teaching them how to keep a field notebook on the plants and animals they discover. Using a hands-on approach, students also learn the skills to identify what they find. These guides are ideal for introducing children ages 8-13 to the world right outside their door.
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Voices for Green Choices Series for Ages 11-14
Offers biographical portraits of individuals who have advanced the goal of achieving a greener, more sustainable world. Each title reveals informed solutions for complex environmental issues. For students in grades 5-8.
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Green Collar Careers Series for Ages 11-14
Rewarding, intriguing and important careers await those with the interest and training. This series introduces the next generation of green jobs to students in grades 5-8. Includes job portraits and websites.
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Global Climate Change, Air, Alternative Energy
This section includes activity books, references and resources for studying about global climate change as it relates to human survival, weather patterns and atmospheric conditions. This section also includes resources for studying alternative energy sources.
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Living Lightly on the Planet Curricula
This exemplary environmental education program for grades 4-12 contains literally hundreds of field-tested, hands-on activities designed to introduce children and young adults to their biological and human communities. Piloted at the Schlitz Audubon Center in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, these volumes have been continuously reprinted and updated and now represent one of the most comprehensive curricula available. Engaging lessons are aimed at helping the urban child bridge the gap between the world of nature and the city. The focus is on raising students’ curiosity about the natural world and about the sources of their water, food, energy and the resources they consume every day. Through inquiry, students develop a sense of responsibility and belonging to their local community.
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Audubon Adventures Curricula
AUDUBON ADVENTURES. National Audubon Society. Ranked as one of the most effective and scientifically accurate environment-based education curricula in the country, Audubon Adventures is perfect for upper elementary students. Each classroom kit contains four different editions of the award-winning Audubon Adventures Student Nature News Magazine (32 copies of each). The Classroom Resource Manual features engaging, hands-on activities along with background material for classroom discussions. Also included is a classroom wall certificate (for participating in the Audubon Adventures program), an environmental wall poster, access to Audubon’s bird and wildlife information website and call center and the Audubon Guide for A Healthy Yard and Beyond. The content is aligned with the National Standards for the Language Arts and Science—perfect for classroom teachers, after-school program coordinators, nature centers, and scout programs. For students in grades 3-6.
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Planet Earth DVDs
There are two separate, different resources with the name Planet Earth. The more recent one, listed first in this section, consists of a beautiful and informative hardcover book and accompanying DVD (available separately) narrated by David Attenborough. The second DVD set by that title comes as a three DVD series that documents astonishing developments in geoscience, revealing information about past, present and even future events. A journey of breathtaking imagery, amazing visual effects and compelling ideas that explains what we know about earth. All are appropriate for ages 11-adult.
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American Indian Crafts and Activities
This section includes a wide array of activity books, games, DVD's and kits for introducing children to American Indian cultures.
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A Child's Place in the Environment Curricula
The series, A Child's Place in the Environment as developed by the Lake County Office of Education and the California Department of Education. This comprehensive series of six elementary curriculum guides focuses on four themes (valuing the environment, systems and interactions, patterns of change, and conservation). These themes are introduced through science and social science activities, children’s literature, and a study of environmental role models. Each binder offers approximately 20 sequential lessons and a poster to augment the lessons, and although developed for California, this curriculum can be adapted to fit any region.
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Pocket Naturalist Series
Each of the Pocket Naturalist activity guides features 64 pages of educational games and activities. Includes word mazes, origami, name and picture scrambles, word search, Who Am I, Spot the Difference, Color Me, Be an Artist, and Oddball-Out games. For teachers, outdoor educators, and parents looking for new, creative hands-on learning activities for ages 7-13.
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Track Identification Scarves (Bandanas)
These wearable field guides are perfect visual aids in the field or classroom. Each 21" square scarf features 14 labeled animal tracks that are 2/3x life size (bear, 1/2 life size). These scarves include representatives of the major taxonomic families of North American mammals: Bears (Ursidae), Bison (Bovidae), Cats (Felidae), Deer group (Cervidae), Dogs (Canidae), Pronghorn (Antilocapridae), Rabbit group (Leporidae), Raccoon (Procyonidae), Shrews (Soricidae) and Weasel group (Mustelidae) plus the Rodentia Order, represented by Beaver (Castoridae), Mice & Voles (Cricetidae) and Squirrel (Sciuridae). Available in a variety of colors.
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Track Replicas - Positives (life-size replicas)
These life-size animal track replicas are individually cast using flexible vinyl. Use for sand tracking games (glue replicas to blocks of wood using vinyl glue and stamp tracks into sand boxes) or bring into the field to compare tracks or make prints. These accurate casts from museum specimens show every skin fold, claw or scale. These are wonderful hands-on tools for teaching anatomy, adaptations, behavior, ecology or tracking skills. Use TSP (available at any hardware store) to clean occasionally. Frog, turtle and mammal replicas are offered in sets featuring one back and one front foot unless noted as ea, in which case only one foot is included (all birds, some mammals).
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Track Molds - Negatives (life-size replicas)
Made from flexible vinyl polymers, these molds can be filled with plaster, clay or PerfectCast, the compound used by museum professionals (available from Acorn Naturalists). Use the positive track casts you make as instructional aids, pressing them into moist sand or dirt to create a story (such as coyote tracks chasing rabbit tracks), for ink prints, or to compare with field specimens. Everyone can have fun making tracks—students or campers can take them home or make displays. Clean with TSP (available at hardware stores) or other soapy cleansers or detergents. Each mold also features the name of the track and hind (H) or front (F) paw reversed out so that it appears correctly on the positive. Each of the species listed below includes a hind and a front track mold (set), unless designated as ea (birds, some mammals). For additional information on using these replicas, simply click here.
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Animal Claw Replicas
Realistic life-size mammal claw replicas, perfect for demonstrating specialized animal adaptations. Made from durable, non-breakable polymer resins. Our selection includes the following claws: badger, black bear, grizzly bear, polar bear, beaver, bobcat, cheetah, coyote, red fox, jaguar, African leopard, lynx, mountain lion, porcupine, raccoon, snapping turtle and wolf. For most of these claws we also offer museum quality skull replicas. In addition to the replicas listed here, we also offer many other types of replicas. Please click here for a complete listing of over 600 skulls and other replicas that we can easily provide you with.
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Scat Identification Scarves (Bandanas)
These unique educational scarves feature scat drawings that are twice life size, sketched from samples found in the field. Includes ringtail, shrew, bat, racoon, armadillo, opossum, mouse and vole, bear, rabbit and hare, prairie dog, porcupine, squirrel and chipmunk, gopher, marmot and woodchuck, beaver, muskrat, pronghorn antelope, fox, weasel, mountain lion, bobcat, mountain goat, river otter, pine marten, skunk, mink, badger, wolverine, bighorn sheep, elk, deer and moose. These wearable field guides are great for field trips, hikes, or as a conversation piece. Each measures 21 inches square. Available in a variety of colors.
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Scat Replicas - Positives (life-size replicas)
These realistic, life-size, scat replicas are cast from field-collected scat and assembled and reproduced as one might find in the wild. Perfect for studying food preferences or creating "who was here" tracking scenarios - use to "seed" trails around the school or nature center and have children create the predator/prey scenarios. The detail is incredible, with the casts replicating the precise texture and shape of the original sample. Natural colors give these scat replicas a realistic-look, while the use of tough phthalate-free polymers produces a teaching tool that lasts for years.
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Bandana Games for All Ages
Fun way to turn any outdoor activity into a great adventure. These durable, washable, 20” square scarves are perfect for “breaking the ice” when visiting the woods, fields, desert, prairie, lake, or beach. Perfect for naturalists, teachers, camp leaders, parents and children. Activities involve observations, scavenger hunts, clue games and identifications. Over a dozen different game designs are available in addition to our ever-popular track and scat identification scarves. Ages 6-adult.
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Mobiles with Science and Nature Themes
These beautiful mobiles come ready to hang - no assembly required. Each beautifully pictured animal is attached with strong thread to thin metal rods that fold out automatically when taking the mobile out - simply remove from package and mount. Each is perfectly balanced and will float in infinite patterns with only the slightest breeze. Perfect for the classroom, nature center, home or office.
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Science and Nature Educational Displays
In this section you will find an alphabetical listing of the science and nature displays offered by Acorn Naturalists. All are carefully mounted and labeled in glass cases.
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Science and Nature Posters
In this section you will find an array of educational posters for classrooms and nature centers.
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LaMotte Environmental Analysis and Test Kits
LaMotte kits are known for their relability, ease of use, and accuracy. Acorn Naturalists has been providing educators with high quality LaMotte resources for over two decades. In this section you will find a comprehensive selection of kits for freshwater, saltwater, soil, plant, aquatic insect and environmental analysis. To help you locate what you are looking for, resources are listed both alphabetically and by category.
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Science Discovery Kits
In this section you will find a wide array of engaging hands-on science kits, including kits that teach about rocks and minerals, crystals, chemistry, physics, earthquakes and volcanoes, solar power, fossils and more.
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Science and Nature Knowledge Cards
These science and nature quiz cards are perfect both for use as "icebreakers" with groups as well as for individual research on topics of interest. They contain the latest up-to-date information, presented in a fun, interactive manner that will grab the attention of everyone, ages 9-adult.
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Professor Noggin's Educational Card Games
Creative fun for players ages 7 and up. Each of the thirty cards in each deck combines trivia, true/false, and multiple choice questions with the goal of promoting lively discussions and engaged learning. A special three-numbered dice is used to increase randomness along with promoting interactions and communications between players. Easy to hard levels keep everyone interested and challenged. Perfect games for classrooms, activity centers, campfire quizzes, boy and girl scout programs or for use as creative, educational travel games.
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Scientific Explorer Kits
These kits were developed to provide teachers and parents with fun activities based on the Lawrence Hall of Science Great Explorations in Math and Science series. Each kit comes complete with easy to follow instructions and materials. Hours of educational fun are packed into each kit.
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Clever Catch Science and Nature Play Balls
These 24" Clever Catch® inflatable balls add a new dimension to learning fun! Toss around the classroom, playground, nature center, scout gathering or home. Wherever your left thumb lands, that is the question that is to be answered. Perfect icebreakers for beginning a topic, quizzing on what has been learned, or getting group dynamics going. Answer key and instructions are included with each one.
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Science and Nature Scramble Squares (Puzzles)
Unscramble the nine squares by perfectly matching the pictures on each square’s edges. Simple in appearance but challenging for all, ages six through adult. Puzzles feature descriptive information about the group of animals (or scenes) shown.
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Plastic Animal Replicas for Educators
Acorn Naturalists offers high quality, realistic replicas that are perfect for hands-on classroom learning or nature center use. We have located a number of handpainted collections that are both accurate and reasonable. All replicas meet European testing standards (which are stricter than US standards).
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