Take a Night Hike
Take your tot out after dark.
This is easier in the winter as it gets dark a lot earlier. Listen to the
quiet. Winter is always a lot more quiet than summer. Can you hear any owls?
Barred owls and great horned owls often live near people. If the time and/or
weather do not permit for an outdoor nighttime hike, you can also explore the
night during the day. Prepare for a ‘nighttime hike” by darkening a room and
hiding some stuffed animals that like to be active at night (nocturnal). Some
examples of nocturnal animals include raccoons, skunks, bats, owls, mice, and
opossums. For extra atmosphere, hang glow-in-the-dark stars and play nighttime
nature music. You can also grab a flashlight to explore. Skills Developed:
Nature appreciation; gross motor; bonding.
While you are
tracking your animal…sing a song:
Walking In The Moonlight
–Song with actions
Walking
in the moonlight, what do I see? (as you walk)
I
see an owl looking at me (whisper this line since owls are very quiet)
Shh,
shh, shh
Walking
in the moonlight, what do I see? (as you walk)
I
see a skunk looking at me
P.
U. (hold your nose)
Walking
in the moonlight, what do I see? (as you walk)
I see a raccoon looking at me
(make binoculars with hands)
Shh, shh, shh
Walking
in the moonlight, what do I see? (as you walk)
I see an opossum looking at
me (make binoculars with hands)
Shh, shh, shh
(Continue with the
chant. Help your child to name other animals that come out at night
(deer, coyote, badger, etc.)