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Seasonal Scavenger Hunt

Activity

Find the Signs of Change!

The changing seasons bring new sights, smells, and sounds. Each season has its own unique signs in nature, like flowers blooming in spring, leaves changing color in fall, or animals preparing for winter. Go outside to find evidence of these changes around you!

Science Seed

Phenology is the study of seasonal changes and how weather patterns influence the natural world. Plants bloom, animals migrate, and certain behaviors, like hibernation or reproduction, occur at specific times of the year. For example, roadrunners typically reproduce from spring to mid-summer. As temperatures drop in fall and winter, snakes enter a period called brumation, similar to hibernation, seeking warm places to rest. By March, as temperatures rise, snakes become active again, though some may stay active during the colder months. Understanding these seasonal patterns helps us see how weather impacts animal behavior and survival strategies, such as timing reproduction or seeking shelter during extreme temperatures.

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earn Badges

Badges can be earned through hands-on experiences within each of the 16 branches of science, or “Science Slices.” You can earn a badge in each branch of science by doing four activities in these categories. We also encourage participants to keep a Nature Journal to record their memories, and to express themselves creatively through writing or drawing after each activity. We recommend that each child (and parent if they’d like) write or draw in a journal after each activity, with expectations of your children that match their age (the goal is self-expression, not perfection).

Explore Geraldine Palmer Elementary

join Families in Nature

It is our vision to inspire all families to fall in love with nature and foster the next generation of conservationists. Becoming a member of Families in Nature will give your family the opportunity to have adventures in nature, experience field science, develop as youth conservation leaders, and make memories that will last a lifetime. Memberships are free for everyone.

Who are we?

Families in Nature works to create opportunities for nature connection with the purpose of sparking a deep love and desire to protect, conserve and restore the environment. Our mission is to connect children and their families to nature and to each other through time spent learning, playing, and volunteering outdoors. It is our vision to inspire ALL families to fall in love with nature and foster the next generation of conservationists.

This project was made possible by HEB.