To do: Observe plants, pointing out the lack of leaves and no new buds, all signs of winter preparation.
Time: 30-60 minutes
Materials: Good shoes and a warm scarf
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Just like animals, plants too prepare themselves for winter. Signs of preparation are all around you, and we invite you to head outside to point out these changes to your children!

Here are three ways you can tell trees are getting ready for a dormant period:

No new buds: Trees go on lockdown during the winter, you won’t see any new sprouts, buds, or branches. You’ll have to wait until Spring!

No leaves: Deciduous trees drop their leaves to conserve water and energy in the winter. Do you see any leaves on the trees, or are they on the ground?

Hard bark: Get up close and personal with the trunk of a tree. Notice that the hard bark helps trees survive the harsh winds and snows of winter.

Help your child build observation skills by checking out the changes in nature this time of year. They will love the time out of doors, experiencing nature!

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