Storytime! Scavenger hunts! Lessons from the UEC puppet pack! Click here for all sorts of lessons and activities made for kids and kids-at-heart alike.
All of our activities
Video
Naturalmente: Hibernation Yoga
This winter, don’t hibernate! It’s better to enjoy the winter season outdoors, but if you decide to stay indoors, join environmental educator Miguel Santos to do hibernation yoga both to learn how some animals cope with the hardness of winter, and also to help you beat the cold weather with some fun animal yoga poses.
Video
Naturalmente: Atmospheric Pressure (La Presión Atmosférica)
After the rain comes the sun, but… Why? Join environmental educator Miguel Santos to learn what atmospheric pressure is and how changes in air pressure imply different types of weather.
Después de la tormenta siempre llega la calma, pero… ¿Por qué? Aprende qué es la presión atmosférica y cómo la diferencia de presión en el aire causa cambios en el tiempo de la mano del educador medioambiental Miguel Santos.
Video
Naturalmente: How to Build a Barometer (Como Construir un Barómetro)
Do you want to forecast the weather without the use of a cellphone or any other type of screen device? Join environmental educator Miguel Santos to learn how to build a barometer, so that you can measure atmospheric pressure and predict changes in weather.
¿Quieres poder pronosticar el tiempo sin el uso de un celular o de cualquier otro aparato electrónico? Aprende cómo hacer un barómetro y así poder pronosticar cambios del tiempo de la mano del educador medioambiental Miguel Santos.
Video
Story with Tory: Snowballs
On this snowy, winter day, Tory is reading Snowballs by local author Lois Ehlert. Join Tory for a story and get some inspiration for playtime in the snow!
Audio Drama
Nature's Mystery Theater: The Celebration Allegation
Julia Owls is distressed to learn that no one has responded to her invitations for her owlets' birthday party! Rosco Racoon investigates what all of their animal friends in the prairie, forest, and waterways are up to during the winter that might have prevented their correspondence. Will Julia Owls' party be ruined?
Audio Drama
Nature's Mystery Theater: The Case of Mitch the Missing Mosquito
In the first episode of Nature's Mystery Theater, Sherriff Rosco Racoon investigates the sudden disappearance of his buddy Mitch the Mosquito. Who was responsible? And what do Luna Moth, Manford T. Mouse, Julia Owls, and Bernard the Bat have to say for themselves? Listen on to find out!
Video
Bees and Beekeeping at the UEC
Join Chris Steinkamp, our beekeeper at the Urban Ecology Center, to learn all about honey bees, how they make honey, and why they are important for our ecosystems.
Video
Birds! (Los pájaros!)
Birds are the only surviving dinosaurs! They have developed feathers, wings, beaks and other adaptations that help them survive. Join environmental educator Miguel Santos and his pigeon pets to go over some of birds' most “eggstremely” cool adaptations! Contenido en inglés con subtítulos en español.
Printable
Create a Gift for the Earth
Follow along with this activity guide, created by Environmental Educator Brynne Drohan, to create a beautiful Gift for the Earth. Your creation will look lovely in the branches of a tree and, when it melts, provide food for birds and squirrels too!
Printable
Winter Coloring Activity
Open your crayon boxes and print off these winter coloring pages to make your holiday season especially bright! Created by Community Program Educator, José Basaldua.
Video
Leyendo con Lucero: La luz de Lucía
Para celebrar el solsticio de invierno, la noche más larga del año, Lucero nos cuenta la historia de Lucía la luciérnaga y como aprende a brillar tan brillante como la luna. La luz de Lucia fue leído con el permiso de Cuento de luz, la autora Margarita del Mazo, e ilustradora Silvia Álvarez.
Video
Construye Tu Propio Ecosistema un Terrario! (Build Your Own Ecosystem: a Terrarium!)
A terrarium is a little ecosystem that combines both living organisms (biotic elements) and non-living things (abiotic elements). Join environmental educator Miguel Santos and botanists Dario and Camila to learn about ecosystems while also learning how to make a terrarium step by step. (Contenido en español también)
Video
How To Make a Terrarium (Cómo Hacer un Terrario)
A terrarium is a great way to bring some green inside during the cold winter months. And it makes for a great gift too! Join environmental educator Miguel Santos’ HANDS to learn how to make a terrarium of your own!
Printable
Animals in Winter Scavenger Hunt
While the parks and city may seem quieter as the days get shorter, there's life all around you! Use this scavenger hunt to find some signs of animals getting ready for our cold, Wisconsin Winters - they do so by hibernating, migrating or staying active and adapting!
Multimedia
Autumn Art
Autumn may be waning, but there are still plenty of opportunities to find leaves and create beautiful artwork. Learn some fun techniques to turn your leaf-findings into art that you can enjoy all year long!
Video
Frogs: the Chorus of Nature
Madeline has a unique technique for learning the sounds that different species of frogs make. Follow along and create your own frog call visualizations too!
Blog
Watersheds & Sewersheds
Where does all that rain go once it hits the ground? Community Programs Educator José Basaldua explains what watersheds are, how they work, and how they are connected to the sewer systems right under our feet.
Video
Puddle Jumping in the Rain (Saltando en los Charcos bajo la Lluvia)
There is not bad weather in Wisconsin, but rather bad clothing! If you dress for the weather correctly, there is no excuse for you to go outside and enjoy the outdoors during this time of the year. Join Miguel, Dario and Camila for a fun walk in the rain. (Contenido en español también)
Video
Story with Tory: The Best Beak in Boonaroo Bay
In today's episode of Story with Tory, Tory is reading The Best Beak in Boonaroo Bay written and illustrated by Narelle Oliver and read with permission from Scholastic.
Video
El Ciclo de Vida de una Mariposa (Life Cycle of a Butterfly)
By now, monarch butterflies have migrated south far from Wisconsin, but it does not mean their life cycle stops; thank goodness, it never stops! Join environmental educator Miguel Santos’ hands to go over the life cycle of these fascinating insects along with a fun craft!
Printable
Wisconsin Squirrels with Skipper!
Join Skipper of the UEC Puppet Pack to learn about five types of squirrels you can find right here in Wisconsin! (Contenido en español también)
Video
Story with Tory: Leaf Man
The leaves are changing and falling and today, while enjoying the many leaves in Riverside Park, Tory is reading Leaf Man, written and illustrated by Lois Ehlert and shared with permission by Scholastic.
Printable
Leaf Report
Get outside and find some leaves! Use this printable worksheet to make your leaf report, observing the colors, textures, shapes, and sizes of the different leaves that you see. Have fun!
Video
Naturalmente: La Parra Salvage (Riverbank Grape)
Why does riverbank grape climb up trees? Join environmental educator Miguel Santos to learn about this common woody vine. Content in Spanish with captions in English. (Contenido en español también)
Video
Naturalmente: La Hierba del Ajo (Garlic Mustard!)
Join environmental educator Miguel Santos and “botanists” Dario and Camila to learn about the good and bad news about garlic mustard. Content in Spanish with captions in English. (Contenido en español también)
Printable
Make Your Own Nature Frame
Follow along with this guide to create your own Nature Frame using household objects and decorated with items found out in nature. (Contenido en español también)
Printable
Three Bridges Park Bingo
Head to the Urban Ecology Center's Menomonee Valley branch and explore Three Bridges Park. See if you can get a bingo!
Printable
Build a Nature Boat!
Get outside and use natural materials you find around you to make a boat. How long can you get your boat to stay afloat?
Video
Wildflowers in Summer
It's summertime and many wildflowers are in full bloom. In this video, Alex introduces the different parts of a flower and a number of common wildflower species you could find in Milwaukee right now.
Video
Story with Tory: The Night Gardener
Join environmental educator Tory Bahe for story time! Today, Tory is reading The Night Gardener, written and illustrated by Terry and Eric Fan. Shared with permission from Simon & Schuster.
Printable
Scavenger Hunt: Urban Habitats
Go outside and try to find these different habitats in your neighborhood. Once you have found them, write what could possibly live in that habitat under the photo.
Printable
Learn about Wetlands with Oscar
What are wetlands? What lives in the wetlands? And why are they so important? Learn about wetlands with our puppet friend Oscar.
Printable
Nature Trivia Bingo
Test your nature knowledge. See how many you can get in a row, or fill up the whole card!
Video
Story with Tory: Over in the Meadow
Join environmental educator Tory Bahe for story time! Today, Tory is reading Over In The Meadow, written by Olive A. Wadsworth and illustrated by Ezra Jack Keats.
Video
Rothschildia cincta, one of the biggest moths in America
Why moths have a fatal attraction to lights? Join environmental educator Miguel Santos to check out a rothschildia cincta, one of the biggest moths in America, to find out why, and also go over some other basics of these nocturnal insects.
Video
Butterfly or moth?
Have you wondered how to tell apart butterflies from months? Join environmental educator Miguel Santos to go over some clues to easily differentiate butterflies from moths.
Video
Leafcutter Ant - La Hormiga Cortadora de Hojas
Ants have a reputation for being hardworking, but these leafcutter ants (genus atta) also are superbly intelligent! Join environmental educator Miguel Santos to learn about this farmer insect that harvests fresh leaves to grow the fungus they eat! Video content in Spanish with captions in English
Printable
A monarch butterfly's life cycle (coloring page)
Learn about a monarch butterfly's life cycle and also have fun while coloring this page
Video
Exploring Nature: Longhorn Beetle - Escarabajo Funerario del Maguey
Coleoptera, commonly known as beetles, are the most diverse group of animals on Earth! Join environmental educator Miguel Santos to check out a longhorn beetle endemic to Mexico. The escarabajo funerario del maguey (Acanthoderes funeraria) is a beetle that feeds on the leaves of agave plants.
Printable
Learn about storms with Thizo
What are clouds? How do they form? And what are lightnings and thunder? Learn about storms with our puppet friend Thizo (Contenido en español también)
Video
Learn how to listen for bird calls
Now that the leaves are growing in the trees, it's getting hard to see birds. Learn how to listen for bird calls with Alex LaBonte, Environmental Educator.
Printable
Scavenger Hunt: Leaves of Trees
Try to find as many leaves as you can from this BINGO card.
Printable
Flower Power with Thizo
Learn the many different parts of a flower as Thizo introduces you to a tulip he found. (Contenido en español también)
Video
Recycle Your Vegetables - Recyclez Vos Legumes
Reduce, reuse, recycle! Did you know that you can re-grow your own veggies?
Join environmental educator Miguel Santos to learn how you can recycle
some of your vegetables at home. (Video content in French with captions in English)
Printable
Scavenger Hunt: Neighborhood Walk
Enjoy this Neighborhood Walk BINGO card by Environmental Educator Kirsten Maier! (Contenido en español también)
Printable
Bugsy's Guide to Metamorphosis
Hi friends! Bugsy here, and I wanted to talk to you about a little process called Metamorphosis. (Contenido en español también)
Printable
Nature Connects Us All:
Coloring Page
We miss you and look forward to going on in-person adventures with you when we can. In the meantime, let’s find creative ways to connect! Download & print this coloring page for kids and adults alike.
Printable
Nature Photography Bingo
Can you win Bingo by taking a photo that has the following items? Enjoy this Scavenger Hunt created by Environmental Educator, Annie Ela. (Contenido en español también)
Printable
Introducing… the UEC Puppet Pack!
Meet your new virtual best friends! The Puppet Pack is a crew of creatures that is here to help you explore the outdoors in creative ways and teach you what they know about nature. (Contenido en español también)
Multimedia
Oh, Fiddleheads! with Boxer
Wetlands are a distinct ecosystem that floods during some seasons. Learn all the biodiversity that grows in them with Boxer, the Box Turtle.
Printable
Properties Scavenger Hunt
Properties are traits or characteristics of all the things around us. Have fun with this Properties Scavenger Hunt created by Environmental Educator, Alex LaBonte! (Contenido en español también)
Printable
Let’s Make a Kite!
Spring and summer are the perfect seasons to fly a kite! There are usually many days that are breezy enough to go out and fly. Learn how to make your own kite with Environmental Educator, Regina Miller.
Video
Decals to Prevent Birds from Hitting your Windows
Live and learn! Join environmental educator Miguel Santos and his little ornithologists Dario and Camila to learn how you can prevent birds from hitting your windows. As they say, experience if the best teacher: Once and for all!
Video
A nature hike in Kirsten's neighborhood
Go on a hike with Environmental Educator, Kirsten Maier, as she explores her neighborhood park. By hiking with her, you will learn what to find under logs, enjoy some spring flowers and more!
Printable
Bean Sprouts with a Box Turtle
Hello! Where have you BEAN? I’ve been hoping some friends would join me in my explorations! I see so many new sprouts popping up out of the spring ground. And I’ve wanted to see what’s below to be found!
So today I’m going to plant a seed and see if it germinates.
Multimedia
Sprouting Seeds with Boxer
Follow the adventures of Boxer, as he is checking out some seedlings that are just popping up out of the dirt!
Printable
Backyard Birding Blitz Bingo
Find bird by using the four common ways to identify them! Behavior, Habitat, Color Pattern and Size and Shape
Multimedia
Leaf Pounding
Find a cool shaped leaf in your backyard or neighborhood and create some leaf pounding. The vibrant colors of leaves and flowers are easy to preserve by pounding them to release their natural dyes onto paper. Learn the process on how to do it with Environmental Educator, Erin Withney.
Printable
Rocks Scavenger Hunt
Rocks BINGO card by Environmental Educator Kirsten Maier! (Contenido en español también)
Printable
Backyard Bugs Scavenger Hunt
Let's go on a backyard bugs scavenger hunt! Created by Environmental Educator Kirsten Maier. (Contenido en español también)
Video
My Backyard Square (Part 3)
Environmental Educator, Regina Miller, is excited to share how things have changed in her backyard square. Things have really changed! Spring has sprung in Regina's backyard.
Video
The Rock Cycle Recipe
Did you know that rocks, actually, are constantly changing?
Join environmental educator Miguel Santos to go over the rock cycle,
and to learn how to cook your own igneous, sedimentary
and metamorphic rocks in the kitchen!
Printable
Chalk & Chirp
Grab some chalk and hop outside! Draw what birds you spot on the sidewalk for other birding neighbors to find. Enjoy this fun game created by Community Programs Educator, Erin Whitney.
Video
What frogs do in different seasons
Do you know what frogs like to do throughout the year? Meet our friend Maria and she will tell you more about it! Enjoy this video created by Environmental Educator Kelli Johnson
Video
My Backyard Square (Part 2)
Environmental Educator, Regina Miller, explores the square she traced in her yard a week ago to see how it has changed in just a few days. You will learn how important the decomposers are for the soil as well as a list of spring flowers that can grow in your yard or in nearby nature.
Video
Exploring Nature: Crayfish
Crayfish are not just another find in nature. They are fascinating creatures that can indicate the quality of water in a given habitat!
Check out this video by the environmental educator Miguel Santos to learn some interesting facts about these common crustaceans.
Video
Raccoon Latrines
Did you know that some animals defecate in communal sites also known as animal latrines? Join environmental educator Miguel Santos to learn what scat is, and check out a real raccoon latrine!
Captions available in Spanish (Subtítulos en español también)
Video
My Backyard Square (Part 1)
Spring has sprung with lots of things to experience outside! Join Environmental Educator, Regina Miller, as she shows us how to mark out a square to make nature observations in our yards.
Printable
Patterns and Shapes Scavenger Hunt
Let's see what shapes and patterns you can find in nature. Scavenger Hunt created by Environmental Educator Brynne Drohan
Video
Exploring Nature: Insects 101 (Part 2)
Part 2: The Study. Insect trap ready? Then, join entomologists Miguel, Dario and Camila to learn interesting facts about insects, and don’t forget to report the results of your research in a nature journal!
Video content in Spanish with captions in English
Video
Exploring Nature: Make an Insect Trap! (Part 1)
Join in on this exciting lesson led by UEC Environmental Educator Miguel Santos, who teaches us all sorts of info about insects in a dynamic virtual class in his backyard.
Video content in Spanish with captions in English
Printable
Quiz: Garbage, Recycling, or Compost?
Do you know which piece garbage should go in which container? Take this family quiz and find out!
Video
Exploring Nature: Buds
Learn about buds with environmental educator Tory Bahe. What is a bud? What's inside? Count the buds, name of the colors you see, use all the senses to explore buds!
Printable
Start a Garden in a Toilet Paper Roll
Learn how to start a seedling in a planter that you can put right in the ground!
Video
Exploring Nature: American Toad
Environmental Educator, Miguel Santos and his children, are looking for amphibians on a rainy day. They find an American toad and Miguel shares some interesting facts about these beautiful creatures.
Video content in Spanish with captions in English
Video
Nature Observations
Wondering how to keep learning in nature when you’re stuck at home? Join Environmental Educator Kirsten Maier as she shares one of her favorite outdoor activities: regular visits to a special spot.
Printable
Marvelous Life of a Frog!
Learn about the marvelous life of a frog from Environmental Educator, Kelli Jonshon. Just like us, Frogs start their lives out as little babies and grow up to be adults! This is called a Life Cycle.
Video
Exploring Nature: Feathers
Environmental Educator Miguel Santos and his kids, Dario and Camila, discover feathers in the woods!
Video content in Spanish with captions in English
Printable
Signs of Spring Scavenger Hunt
Signs of spring BINGO card by Environmental Educator Kirsten Maier! (Contenido en español también)
Printable
Common Milwaukee Birds Scavenger Hunt
Take this Common Birds scavenger hunt challenge, created by Environmental Educator Kirsten Maier. (Contenido en español también)
Printable
Nature Guide for Kids (Guía de naturaleza para niños)
Check out this printable nature guide for kids! (Contenido en español también)
Printable
Nature Bingo for Milwaukee County Parks
There are over 150 Milwaukee County Parks, and they remain open! Take the Scavenger Hunt, created by Environmental Educator Miguel Santos, and explore the trails! (Contenido en español también)
Check back soon for more great content!
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