July 27, 2020
Activities with Kacey: Nature
Kacey the Quality Koala and Maryland EXCELS have been sharing fun and educational activities and mealtime discussion questions for families and child care programs.
The theme of the activities below is “Nature.”
To see the latest activities and questions, visit this page or social media!
Share your activities on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram using the hashtags #MarylandEXCELS and #KaceyEXCELS.
The Maryland State Department of Education’s Division of Early Childhood understands that activities described on this page and in website links are not suitable for all ages. Ultimately, all activities require adult supervision and are not endorsed by the Maryland State Department of Education or Johns Hopkins University.
Monday
Create Your Own Trees
Draw or cut out a tree trunk with branches from a piece of paper. Take a walk and find leaves, grass, sticks, and flowers. If you can’t get outside, draw, cut out natural elements from paper or a magazine. Glue or tape the items to decorate your tree branches. Be creative! Share your pictures with us on social media.
Mealtime discussion question: Why do leaves change colors? Why do trees lose their leaves in the fall?
Tuesday
Sensory Sink or Float Activity
Note: An adult should always be present at all times around any water activities.
Go on a scavenger hunt and help your child find rocks, sticks, leaves, flowers, acorns, grass, pinecones, or small (waterproof) items in your home. Once your child has all the items they want to use, fill a small plastic container with water. Make predictions about which items will float and which ones will sink. Test your guesses!
Mealtime discussion question: Do you think any of your toys can float? Which ones do you think will float?
Wednesday
Bee Kind
Listen and read the story Please Please the Bees. As a follow-up family activity, make bee or other insect-shaped snacks using your favorite fruits and vegetables.
Mealtime discussion question: How are fruits and vegetables alike and different? What is your favorite fruit? What is your favorite vegetable?
Thursday
Nature Paintbrushes
Use a stick, long grasses, a branch from a pine tree, flowers, leaves, or other materials you can find outside. Secure the grass, flowers, or leaves to the stick with a rubber band. Let your child paint a colorful picture using their homemade paintbrush.
Mealtime discussion question: What other items could you make with sticks and leaves?
Friday
Camping Indoors
Sing and dance to this song about the outdoors with Jason Mraz and Sesame Street characters. Bring the outdoors inside! Set up a tent and camping area in your home. Read by flashlight or tell silly stories!
Mealtime discussion question: What kinds of items would you need to pack if you went on a camping trip?
See activities from past weeks:
- Activities with Kacey: You Are Special
- Activities with Kacey: Reptiles
- Activities with Kacey: Movement
- Activities with Kacey: Celebrate Maryland
- Activities with Kacey: Zoo Animals
- Activities with Kacey: Transportation
- Activities with Kacey: Stars and Stripes
- Activities with Kacey: Bugs
- Activities with Kacey: Rainbows
- Activities with Kacey: Underwater Adventures
- Week of June 1-5
- Week of May 26-29
- Week of May 18-22
- Week of May 11-15
- Child Care Provider Appreciation Week: May 4-8
- Week of April 27-May 1
- Week of April 21-24