The Robin in Your Backyard
by Nancy Carol Willis
This educational tale of the migration, mating, and nesting habits of a pair of robins as they raise and care for their young will delight parents, teachers, and children. Beginning with the welcome return of the robins in early spring, simple language and beautifully detailed colored-pencil illustrations reveal exactly what is happening in those nearby but hidden nests. Included are kid-pleasing details, such as the fact that a newly hatched robin equals the weight of one nickel, and that each robin can eat up to 14 feet of earthworms a day! A glossary, breeding-season time line, and tips on helping injured or orphaned baby songbirds make this book as practical as it is charming. Describes a year in the life of a pair of robins as they build a nest, lay eggs, and care for their young.

Kids and Grandparents: An Activity Book
by Ann Love and Jane Drake
Whether they live on the same block or on opposite sides of the world, kids and grandparents can make memories and bridge the generation gap with this fun-filled activity book in the Family Fun series created just for them! Children will enjoy learning the games their grandparents played (remember cat's cradle?), and grandparents will get a kick out of the gifts they receive from their grandkids. Together they can research the family tree, make a birdfeeder, plant a garden or create their own memory book. Regardless of which activity they choose, they will treasure the time they spend together.

June/July 2014

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Kids and Grandparents day

Tuesday, June 24, 9:30 - 11:30 a.m.

This day is designed to be an opportunity for you to enjoy a morning outdoors with your grandchildren. The program will encourage grandparents and grandchildren to engage in nature related activities together while experiencing the outdoors at Oakdale Nature Preserve. Northwest Illinois Audubon Society facilitators will provide the activities, along with instruction of things to do with your grandchildren. Activities will be most applicable for grandchildren between the ages of 7 and 12. We will meet in the Mogle Center, although be prepared for most activities to be done outdoors. Space is limited for this program so advance registration is required. Call Richard Benning (815-865-5279) to register or for more information.

American Robin
(Genus, species: Turdus migratorius)

The American Robin is known for its bright orange belly and beautiful song. The male will sing a most beautiful tune... “Cheer-up, cheerily, cheer-up, cheer-up, cheerily.” He is often the last bird heard as the sun sets.

Here are a few interesting facts for you:

The American Robin is the state bird for Connecticut, Michigan and Wisconsin
Robins have a sweet tooth! Fruits and berries are favorites
The male and the female look surprisingly similar, although if you look closely, the female is a bit duller than the male
Robins are protected in the United States thanks to the Migratory Bird Act
Robins are known for their running and stopping behavior — it is one of their main characteristics!

Children, Nature and You Resources to help you give the children you influence the awe and wonder that only the natural world can inspire

Freeport Park District Information on all the Freeport parks

Freeport Public Library More than books on a shelf...visit the Freeport Public Library

Freeport Outdoor Experience Events located in Freeport and Stephenson County

Getting Kids Involved (The Cornell Lab of Ornithology) Includes bird information, tips, and more for kids and families

Jane Addams Recreation Trail Ride or Hike the beautiful Jane Addams Trail

Jane Goodall’s Roots and Shoots A program of the Jane Goodall Institute offering a variety of programs and resources

NASA Climate Kids to tell the story of our changing planet through the eyes of NASA missions studying Earth and provides games, activities, and articles that make climate science accessible and engaging for children

National Audubon for Kids provides resources for classroom curriculum, DIY activities, and bird activities for children at home

National Wildlife Federation Many family-friendly articles; Ranger Rick family magazine

Resource Guide Supplement to Last Child in the Woods Designed for parents, teachers, and community leaders to help them encourage children’s enjoyment of the great outdoors.

Severson Dells Nature Center Located near Rockford, IL.

Sierra Club Outdoors The program's goal is to give every child in America an outdoor experience.

World Migratory Bird Day Learn about the importance of migratory birds and how to celebrate birds any day of the year!

Gone Fishing Game

For those rainy days, a make-believe fish pond can be a lot of fun.

Materials needed: Construction paper of different colors; a twig or pole; paper clips; magnet; crayons, string or yarn.

Directions:

Draw about 10 fish on different colored pieces of construction paper. Cut out and put a number on each one.
Attach a paper clip to the head of each fish.
Tie a string around your twig or pole and tie on the magnet.
Now you are all set to play. Take turns fishing out a fish with a number on it. When all the fish have been caught, the person with the most points is the winner.

This is a great game to teach basic colors and numbers. Can you catch all the yellow fish? What numbers did you catch?

Get in Touch with Trees

Before going outside with children, take a walk yourself and find an area where a few different tree species grow. Collect several object from the ground underneath the trees like nuts, leaves, bark, blossoms; Place the objects in a "mystery box" so they can be felt but not seen. An old shoebox works great with a hole cut in the lid large enough to get a child’s hand through.

Take the children to your collection spot and have them feel the items in the mystery box; challenge them to name the item and search the collection area to find the matching objects.

Ask: