Tag Archives: animals

Camp Au Pair – Nature Exploration

This week’s Camp Au Pair theme is Nature Exploration.

This week’s Camp Au Pair Theme is Nature Exploration. Let’s kick off the summer with some great outdoor fun! We are lucky to live in an area with so many different ways to explore nature! The Pinterest board has ideas for nature-based crafts, fun backyard camping, local field trips to nature refuges and the like, webcams and virtual field trips to explore nature parks in other parts of the world, books and videos about nature. Have a great time exploring the world right outside your windows!

Crafts, recipes, activities, and games can all be found here on the Camp Au Pair – Nature Exploration pinboard.

Image showing the APIA MN Pinterest board titles "Camp Au Pair NAture Exploration Week"
Camp Au Pair Nature Exploration Week

Field Trips can be a great way for kids to learn and have new experiences. You can start observing nature at any local park or in your own backyard. If you want to take it a step further,  Below is a list of other local places to go explore nature. Get permission from your host parents before any outings and check websites before you go for hours and information.

Safety note: When coming inside after you have been outside exploring nature, it’s always a good idea to check the children and yourself for ticks. For more information, take a look at this post.

  • Eloise Butler Wildflower Garden by Lake Harriet
  • Minnesota Valley Nationl Wildlife Refuge in Bloomington (very close to MOA)
  • Three Rivers Park District
  • Minneapolis Park and Recreation Board
  • Minnesota Landscape Arboretum

Virtual Field Trips:

Webcams – You can do a Google search for websites with webcams that allow you to observe nature.

Videos – Look for fun videos on YouTube about nature.

Books – Check your bookshelves and/or stop by your local library and look for books on nature.  You can also find many read aloud book videos on YouTube. Here are a few to get you started.

Image: toddleratplay.com

Camp Au Pair – Explore the World!

This week’s Camp Au Pair theme is Explore the World.

Crafts, recipes, activities, and games can all be found here on the Camp Au Pair – Explore the World pinboard.

Field Trips can be a great way for kids to learn and have new experiences. You can start observing nature at any local park or in your own backyard. If you want to take it a step further,  Below is a list of other local places to go explore nature. Get permission from your host parents before any outings and check websites before you go for hours and information.

Safety note: When coming inside after you have been outside exploring nature, it’s always a good idea to check the children and yourself for ticks. For more information, take a look at this post.

  • American Swedish Institute
  • Midtown Global Market
  • EL Mercado Central
  • Asia Mall
  •  

Virtual Field Trips:

Webcams – You can do a Google search for websites with webcams that allow you to see things in countries around the world.

Videos – Look for fun videos on YouTube about different countries and cultures.

Books – Check your bookshelves and/or stop by your local library and look for books on nature.  You can also find many read aloud book videos on YouTube. Here are a few to get you started.

Image: toddleratplay.com

Camp Au Pair – Backyard Safari

Next week’s Camp Au Pair theme is Backyard Safari  These activities focus on animals you might find in the a variety of environments: jungles, savannahs, safari parks and zoos.

Crafts, recipes, activities, and games can all be found here on the Camp Au Pair – Backyard Safari pinboard. 

Field Trips can be an excellent way for kids to learn and have new experiences. Get permission from your host parents before any outings. Check the websites before you go to be sure you understand the hours, costs, and whether advance tickets/reservations are required. Search online to see if your area has any of the following:

  • Local Zoo
  • Animal Rescue Park
  • Drive Thru Safari

Webcams – You can do a Google search for websites with webcams that allow you to observe nature.

Books – Stop by your local library and look for books on animals you might find on a safari or in the zoo. You can also check YouTube for some books on this subject being read aloud.

Movies – There are lots of movies with animal themes.

  • Back to the Outback 
  • Madagascar 1, 2 & 3
  • The Jungle Book
  • The Lion King
  • The Wild
  • Zootopia

Videos – Look for fun videos about animals on YouTube. Here are some to get you started.

Image: Jumble Tree