In keeping with our June 2022 “Get Outdoors” theme, we have selected books to inspire your kids to want to unplug and head outdoors. Kids will enjoy these books about making their own outdoor games, learning about plants and wildlife, growing things, and looking at the stars. Also on our list are books with ideas for family excursions and day trips to fun and exciting destinations. Enjoy!
Over and Under the Pond by Kate Messner – Readers will discover the plants and animals that make up the ecosystem of a mountain pond. After reading the book, take to a local pond for comparison. Let them play nature detective and count the birds, chipmunks, squirrels, fish, and frogs they see. For ages 2-7
The Weird and Wonderful World of Bugs by Rea Manderino, PhD – When kids learn about bugs and their importance to our ecosystem, they’ll learn not to be afraid of them. They’ll also learn to leave bugs alone, so they can do their jobs. For ages 3-7
My Backyard Bird Book: Fun Facts and Surprising Secrets by Cheryl Johnson – Teach kids from an early age to identify birds and observe what they eat and how they interact with other birds and animals. For ages 3-7
Mr. Putter and Tabby See the Stars by Cynthia Rylant – When Mr. Putter eats too many jelly rolls, he gets an upset stomach. He decides an evening stroll with his cat, Tabby will help his digestion. As Mr. Putter and Tabby gaze at the evening stars, they realize they are not the one ones up enjoying this beautiful evening. Kids will learn about the stars and nocturnal animals in this beautiful book for ages 5-8.
World Atlas: Activity and Fact Book for Kids by Gold Stars - Kids will enjoy learning about their world by completing activities such as experiments, diagrams, dot-to-dots, mazes, and coloring maps. For ages 5-9
100 Days of Adventure: Nature Activities, Creative Projects, and Field Trips for Every Season by Greta Eskridge – 100 hands-on learning activities that will connect and enrich your family through shared adventures. For ages 6-10
How to be a Good Creature: A Memoir in Thirteen Animals by Sy Montgomery – Author, naturalist, and adventurer Sy Montgomery has traveled the world observing and interacting with some of the rarest creatures on Earth. For this memoir, she selected thirteen animals and imagined how they would deal with concepts of family, community, loss, despair, forgiveness, and how to be a good creature. For ages 8-10
Bird Watching Book for Kids by Kristine Rivers – Kids will enjoy identifying the birds in their backyard and their community. Encourage them to learn about the native birds in the area and then challenge them to look for different birds during day trips or vacations to other places. For ages 8-12
Smithsonian Geography: A Visual Encyclopedia by DK – Kids will enjoy looking at these beautiful pictures and learning about our world. For ages 8-12
The Unplugged Family Activity Book by Rachel Jepson Wolf – Over 60 simple crafts and recipes for family fun. For ages 8-12