Nature Kids

Nature Kids encourages youth and their families to observe, investigate and explore nature. While it's geared towards children ages 4-12, anyone with a sense of curiosity and childlike wonder can learn something about the nature in Alberta. To connect with the Nature Kids team email us at naturekids@naturealberta.ca.

Free Nature Kids Activity Books

Families are encouraged to engage in nature activities with a focus on exploring the wild outdoors, and our free downloadable Nature Kids activity books can get you out and active! Also check out the latest in our Nature Kids section in every issue of Nature Alberta Magazine, available by subscription or free on the Magazine page.

Nature Kids Do-It-Yourself Activities

Families are encouraged to engage in nature activities with a focus on exploring and learning about the wild outdoors. Parent/guardian participation in Nature Kids is important, as children will need assistance and supervision with the activities. Nature Kids is meant to be a fun learning experience for the whole family! CLICK HERE to look through all DIY Activities.

Winter Bug Count

Across Alberta in December, January and February

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Squirrel Species Match-up

Let’s learn how to tell apart five different species of ground squirrels.

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Great Backyard Bird Count

Feb 16-19

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Mix and Match Animal Tracks

You can learn lots of information by being a nature detective, looking for and examining wildlife tracks.

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Alberta Owls Coloring Page

Learn about Alberta’s owl species through this colouring page featuring a large, medium, and small species.

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Make a Snow Fort

Discover why some animals spend the winter under the snow by building your own snow fort!

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Birding Tally

Go for a walk in your neighbourhood, nearby park, or favourite natural area and fill in the Birding Tally as you go.

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Edmonton Bird Bingo

Watch for birds and colour in the corresponding square on the Bird Bingo Card to try to get a vertical, horizontal, or diagonal line for “Bingo!” Challenge yourself to fill in the entire card to become a Blackout Birding Expert!

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Spiders and Their Webs

Spiders and their webs make for fun Halloween decorations, but real webs are fascinating feats of animal architecture!

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Play in the Leaves

Take some time to play in the leaves this autumn

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Nature Kids Fun Facts

We love curious young minds, and connecting with our network of experts to get answers to your burning questions! There's always something fascinating to learn about the many plants and animals that live here in Alberta and why they behave the way they do. CLICK HERE to get in the know with our round up of fun facts!

NK-Bat

What is hibernation?

Hibernation is not just a deep sleep; there are different kinds including brumation, torpor, and true hibernation.

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What do Squirrels do in Winter?

The winter survival strategies of different squirrel species in Alberta.

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A Hoot With Alberta Owls

Recorded Presentation
Speaker: Stephanie Weizenbach
Host: Nature Alberta

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Why do larch trees change colour and drop their needles?

Larch turns a beautiful golden yellow in autumn, but by Halloween it looks bare and spooky — just right for the season!

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Which nocturnal animals are we likely to see on Halloween night?

Depending on where in Alberta you live, your Halloween night could be accompanied by the spooky sounds!

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Owls of Alberta

How many owls are found in Alberta? View the full list here!

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How do bats find their food?

A little brown bat can consume 600 mosquitoes, and eat more than half of their body weight in insects every night!

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How do owls see at night?

Owls need to be able to see well in the dark so they can hunt small animals such as mice, voles, and other rodents, which are also active at night.

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Why do geese poop so much?

Geese poop a lot — in fact, they can poop up to 15 times per hour!

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What’s the difference between a snow goose and a Canada goose?

A guide to help you tell apart Snow Goose and Canada Goose.

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My BIG Alberta Backyard

Alberta is filled with amazing natural spaces just waiting to be explored! If you're ready to embark on an adventure, you've come to the right place! CLICK HERE to explore Alberta's BIG Backyard.

My BIG Alberta Backyard – Jasper National Park

Nature Kids! Explore the sights and species of Jasper National Park.

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My BIG Alberta Backyard – Animals of Autumn

As autumn winds blow in and the leaves begin to change colour, let’s learn about some wonderfully spooky animals that live in Alberta. 

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My BIG Alberta Backyard – Peter Lougheed Provincial Park

Lush green trees, sparkling blue lakes, and towering old mountains – a place you won’t forget.

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My BIG Alberta Backyard – Listening to Nature

Nature Alberta’s Parton, John Acorn, has shared his do-it-yourself (DIY) Listening Lid with us!

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My BIG Alberta Backyard – Winter Animal Tracking

In the winter, animals leave tracks everywhere they go. Their tracks leave lots of hints. Was it a deer or a coyote that walked through? Were they in a group or alone? You can learn lots in information by being a nature detective and examining wildlife tracks.

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My BIG Alberta Backyard – NatureHood

It’s time to explore your NatureHood! Not sure where to start or what to look for? Start with reading this article!

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My BIG Alberta Backyard – Kleskun Hill Natural Area

Learn all about the small area of badlands up north near Grande Prairie: the Kleskun Hills.

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My BIG Alberta Backyard – Midland Provincial Park

Midland Provincial Park, just outside Drumheller, is most famous for the fossils that have been discovered there.

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My BIG Alberta Backyard – Inglewood Bird Sanctuary

The Inglewood Bird Sanctuary in Calgary is one of the smallest Migratory Bird Sanctuaries covering only 36 hectares.

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My BIG Alberta Backyard – Gaetz Lakes Sanctuary

The Gaetz Lakes Sanctuary is a Migratory Bird Sanctuary located in the aspen parkland in Red Deer. Learn all about this sanctuary and the Kerry Wood Nature Centre!

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Nature Kids Events & Family Nature Nights

Nature Kids events promote positive learning experiences for families of all ages and abilities by fostering appreciation for nature. Family Nature Nights are free, public events on Wednesday evenings in July and August. Each event features a different theme with local naturalist experts who lead engaging education stations and guided activities.

NK-Bee and Flower

Spring Nature Fest

Helen Schuler Nature Centre
Lethbridge, AB
Mar 15th, 1-5 PM

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Nature Programs at HSNC

Nature Activities at Helen Schuler Nature Centre
Lethbridge, AB
Mar

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BirdSmart Education Program

Presented by the Beaverhilll Bird Observatory, “BirdSmart” brings a live bird of prey right to your group!

Now taking bookings for November 21st to Late-April

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2023 Family Nature Nights: Guardians of Nature

Nature Alberta
Lois Hole Centennial Provincial Park, St. Albert
Aug 30, 6:00 PM

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2023 Family Nature Nights: Nuts about Wildlife

Nature Alberta
John Janzen Nature Center, Edmonton
Aug 16, 6:00 PM

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2023 Family Nature Nights: Fish Tales

Nature Alberta
Hermitage Park, Edmonton
Aug 9, 6:00 PM

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2023 Family Nature Nights: Free the Trees

Nature Alberta
Jackie Parker Park, Edmonton
Jul 26, 6:00 PM

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2023 Family Nature Nights: Nature Heroes

Nature Alberta
Inglewood Bird Sanctuary & Nature Centre, Calgary
July 19, 6:00 PM

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2023 Family Nature Nights: Birds & Bugs

Nature Alberta
Kerry Wood Nature Centre, Red Deer
July 12, 6:00 PM

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Owls Discovery Day

Jan 22 from 12:30 pm – 3:30 pm
Helen Schuler Nature Centre
Lethbridge, AB

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NatureHood / CommuNature

Nature Kids is proud to be a partner in Nature Canada’s NatureHood program. Nature Alberta’s NatureHood program inspires families and children to observe, investigate, and explore nature, increasing the appreciation and conservation of nature in our province. The program is focused on wildlife observation and interpretation, with linkages to migratory bird sanctuaries and national wildlife areas. As part of the NatureHood program, Nature Kids hosts many engaging events and publishes interesting nature facts along with self-guided nature activities. Keep an eye on this website and our social media — Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter — for the latest events and content!

Nature Kids est fière d’être partenaire du programme CommuNature de Nature Canada. Le programme CommuNature de Nature Alberta incite les familles et les enfants à observer, étudier et explorer la nature, augmentant ainsi l'appréciation et la conservation de la nature dans notre province. Le programme est axé sur l'observation et l'interprétation de la faune, avec des liens avec les refuges d'oiseaux migrateurs et les réserves nationales de faune. Dans le cadre du programme CommuNature, Nature Kids organise de nombreux événements captivants et publie des faits intéressants sur la nature, ainsi que des activités autoguidées sur la nature. Gardez un œil sur ce site Web et nos médias sociaux – Facebook, Instagram et Twitter – pour connaître les derniers événements et contenus!