Educational Resources For Kids

Cool things you can do at home or with your class!

Warning all experiments require adult supervision

Hands-On Activities
  • Make Your Own Oobleck!
    Nothing is more fun in science that making weird new things. This month, we've provided a fun hands on activity for your child to make this silly goop. All you need is some cornstarch, water, and food coloring, and you will be ready to make your own Oobleck! Download the instruction sheet to get started with this fun activity!

  • Create Your Own Animal Identification Field Guide!
    Straight from our Wilderness Adventure Summer Science Camp, this fun activity will teach your children about wild animals native to the Central Valley. You can download the presentation full of pictures and facts about animals, and use the information to fill out the Animal Identification Field Guide with your child.

  • Learn About Ladybugs in Your Own Backyard!
    Even if your children missed the Nature Kids class, they can learn all about ladybugs through this easy, educational lesson. With a little help from a parent, children can assemble their very own ladybug costume and live the life of a ladybug in their own backyard.

Educational Articles
  • Go on a Reading Safari Together!
    Did you know you can learn all about animals without ever having to go on a safari? You can find out all of the cool facts about your favorite animals by taking a safari right in your home through books! You can start your animal adventure through his article,which will introduce you to some of the animals that live at the Discovery Center!

  • Learn All About Chemical Reactions Together!
    The weird world of science offers plenty of exciting concepts for you to share with your child. This month, read our article about chemical reactions, and learn all about the science of creating new compounds with your child. We've even provided some chemical reactions that will amaze your child, right in your own kitchen!

  • Learn About Building a Campfire Together: With a Soda Can and a Chocolate Bar!
    Your children won’t believe the fun science behind this outdoor experiment! Read this article together and learn how you can make a fire with a chocolate bar and a soda can. No matches required!

  • Learn All About Butterflies Together!
    Your backyard is full of exciting creatures for you and your child to discover together. Before you go on your own nature expedition, learn about butterflies by reading this informative article together. You will learn about the anatomy of butterflies, and even how to create your own butterfly garden!

Puzzles : Games
  • Learn Fun Facts About Animals with the Animal Fact Matching Game!
    Can you match these animals to the wild animal fact about them? See if you can figure all out, if you get stumped, check the answer key on the next page!

  • Can You Unscramble Our Weird Science Words?
    Science is filled with fun concepts, and wacky terminology. See if your child can use these key term definitions to unscramble these weird science words! Download this activity and answer key and get unscrambling with your child!

  • Take a Trip to the Woods With Our Campout Crossword Puzzle!
    Your backyard is full of exciting creatures for you and your child to discover together. Before you go on your own nature expedition, learn about butterflies by reading this informative article together. You will learn about the anatomy of butterflies, and even how to create your own butterfly garden!

  • Find 15 Bugs In Our Backyard Circle-A-Word Game!
    Finding new kinds of bugs is even easier for children with our Backyard Circle-A-Word game. See if your child can find all 15 types of bugs, and download our fact sheet to learn an exciting fact to share about each answer!

Kids In The Kitchen
  • Play With Your Food Like an Animal!
    Who says you can't play with your food? Play this fun Animal Crackers Charades game next time your kids are looking for an exciting snack time activity! Or,if your kids are extra hungry, make a plateful of our healthy and fun Animal Face Sandwiches.

  • Enter Our "Become a Food Scientist" Recipe Contest!
    Have you ever wondered where all of those new grocery store products come from? Help your child cook up some weird, wild, or simply delicious snacks in the kitchen as they learn how to become a food scientist. Submit your child's creation, and it might just end up on our web site! Download the project and contest rules for all the exciting details!

  • Campground Goodies You Can Make at Home!
    Whether your kids are camped out in the backyard, or the backwoods, they’re going to need energy when they hit the trail. Enlist your camper’s help in making these fun favorites including Kids on the Trail Mix and Backwoods Ice Cream in a Bag. Read ahead for easy recipe instructions.

  • Healthy Snacks for Hungry Explorers!
    Discovering the backyard can build quite an appetite. Your junior explorer can learn the science of cooking while helping you make healthy snacks including Ants on a Log, Ladybug Apples, and Cheese-a-pillars. Read ahead for easy recipe instructions.