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.
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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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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Spiderling Web Craft for Kids
Help sibling spiderlings disperse and build their own web with this fun Halloween themed nature craft.
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Unbe-leaf-able Fall Placemat!
Collect colourful leaves and make your very own autumn placemat.
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Making a Map
Learn how to read and follow maps by making a map of your own neighbourhood or favourite natural space.
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Nature’s Architects
Learn about dams by building like a busy beaver.
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Bird Protecting Window Decal
Protect birds with this fun DIY window decal craft.
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Observe, investigate, and share nature with iNaturalist!
Investigate species everywhere you go with these simple steps to get started with iNaturalist.
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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.
Read MoreNature 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!
A Hoot With Alberta Owls
Recorded Presentation
Speaker: Stephanie Weizenbach
Host: Nature Alberta
Why do larch trees change colour and drop their needles?
Larch turns a beautiful golden yellow in autumn, but by Halloween has likely lost all its needles, leaving it looking 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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Are there bugs that live in the snow?
Most people might assume that bugs aren’t active outside during the winter because we rarely see them, but the truth is much cooler!
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What happens to spiders in the winter?
Find out what happens to our favourite 8-legged air breathing arthropods during Alberta’s harsh winters.
Read MoreMy 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 – Animals of Autumn
Alberta is a great place to live. It’s a big, beautiful province full of all kinds of natural wonders. As autumn winds blow in and the leaves begin to change colour, Halloween is fast approaching! So this time, 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 as far as the eye can see, sparkling blue lakes, and towering old mountains make this park a place you won’t forget. You can also view roaring waterfalls!
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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. Let’s make your own Listening Lid and give it a try!
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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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My BIG Alberta Backyard – Beaver Hill Biosphere Reserve
The Beaver Hill Biosphere Reserve is a unique area located east of Edmonton in the knob and kettle transition zone between parkland and boreal regions.
Read MoreNature 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.
Christmas Bird Count for Kids & Youth – Edmonton 2023
Sunday, Dec 17
Gold Bar Park, Edmonton
1:30 pm – 3:00 pm
Nature Programs at HSNC
Nature Activities at Helen Schuler Nature Centre
Lethbridge
Nov, Dec
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
2023 Family Nature Nights: Nuts about Wildlife
Nature Alberta
John Janzen Nature Center, Edmonton
Aug 16, 6:00 PM
2023 Family Nature Nights: Fish Tales
Nature Alberta
Hermitage Park, Edmonton
Aug 9, 6:00 PM
2023 Family Nature Nights: Free the Trees
Nature Alberta
Jackie Parker Park, Edmonton
Jul 26, 6:00 PM
2023 Family Nature Nights: Nature Heroes
Nature Alberta
Inglewood Bird Sanctuary & Nature Centre, Calgary
July 19, 6:00 PM
2023 Family Nature Nights: Birds & Bugs
Nature Alberta
Kerry Wood Nature Centre, Red Deer
July 12, 6:00 PM
Owls Discovery Day
Jan 22 from 12:30 pm – 3:30 pm
Helen Schuler Nature Centre
Lethbridge, AB
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!