Today, I have some fun outdoor activities for middle schoolers today. Also, look at my page homeschool middle school for more fun tips. Too, look at my page Homeschool Geography for hands-on and simple ideas and tips.
Besides, National Trails Day is April 22nd and that is a great time to start hiking the trails if you have never been or find a new one in your area if you have.
I also want to introduce or reacquaint you with another couple of fabulous outdoor activities for middle schoolers that go hand in hand with hiking trails which are geocaching and nature study.
In addition, I have another idea for outdoor activities for middle schoolers which is to teach them what to pack in your hiking pack list.
Too, I highly recommend a good quality comfy pair of shoes for everyone before you head out.
Hiking for Middle Schoolers
Hiking is a wonderful way to get exercise, fresh air, and get in a nature study.
Also, you also don’t usually have to go far to get some hiking in.
Check out this list of state parks by U.S. state that you can visit to get a hike in on the trails.
Or use it to find different trails near you. You can see the links location mark off the trail when you’ve completed it.
- Check out local state and national parks in your state here for trails.
- The National Parks Service also has an extensive listing of parks for each state.
- You can use the All Trails APP to find different trails near you, get reviews for the trail, details like if it’s dog or stroller friendly, and mark off as you complete a trail.
What is Geocaching
Additionally, one fantastic addition to hiking is geocaching. It can also be done on its own.
If you don’t know, geocaching is simply a GPS-based activity.
People create and hide small trinkets or even just a logbook just off trails at parks and other public places for you to find.
They can be official containers or camouflage DIY containers like coffee cans.
Look at this one we found on our last hike.
The app gives you directions to follow and the distance to get you pretty close to the hidden cache.
In addition, we have found them hanging in trees, in hollowed-out logs or stumps, inside a hole cut in a telephone pole, covered by limbs or palm fronds.
Geocaching Container Ideas
There were large caches that contained toys, keychains, and other little things.
And there are small ones like this one where you unscrewed the behind part and there was a little rolled-up paper for you to log the date and a name for the cache owner.
Geocaching etiquette is that if you take something you leave something of equal value.
Then sign the logbook and replace the container just as you found it.
It can become quite addicting as you find small, camouflaged caches with little trinkets, you can’t wait to find the next one.
Moreover, here are some great small items to carry with you to leave behind.
- small plastic animals
- a yo-yo
- fast food toys
- keychains
- change
- iron-on patches
- pretty stones or shells
- rain poncho
- tiny rubber duckies
- beads or handmade bead jewelry
- and hot wheels.
Nature Study for Homeschool Science
While you are hiking trails and geocaching it is a natural step to do some nature study.
You honestly can’t avoid it.
Surrounded by trees, flowers, birds, and small and large woodland creatures you will be taking in so much of the local flora and fauna you may as well turn it into a lesson.
- You can create a fun scavenger hunt ahead of time or simply call out an object, for instance, poison ivy or a woodpecker and see who spots it first.
- Observe how many different flower species you can find on your hike.
- One of my favorite apps for identifying plants and animals is iNaturalist, it is a good resource for crowdsourcing to identify what you may be unsure of.
- Use a camera or a sketchbook for your child to capture and identify what they see as they explore the trail.
5 Peterson First Guides for Nature and Hiking Studies
Add one or two of these nature and hiking resources to your field trip. Getting outdoors is the best way to learn about nature, change of pace, and savor the moments of learning which come naturally.
Now there is a guidebook to trees--one of the most popular subjects in the Peterson Field Guide series--for the beginning naturalist. The 243 trees are grouped into six categories by leaf type and arrangement, making it easier for the beginner to identify unknown species. 200 color illustrations.
Peterson First Guides are the first books the beginning naturalist needs. Condensed versions of the famous Peterson Field Guides, the First Guides focus on the animals, plants, and other natural things you are most likely to see. They make it fun to get into the field and easy to progress to the full-fledged Peterson Guides.
From mudpuppies to rattlesnakes, this fascinating guide for young nature lovers describes the habits and habitats of these secretive and sometimes bizarre animals, and includes tips on how to catch and care for frogs, snakes, turtles, lizards, salamanders, and toads.
Peterson First Guides are the first books the beginning naturalist needs. Condensed versions of the famous Peterson Field Guides, the First Guides focus on the animals, plants, and other natural things you are most likely to see. They make it fun to get into the field and easy to progress to the full-fledged Peterson Guides.
A simplified version of the full-sized field guides makes it easy and fun to get started in the field. Peterson First Guides are the first books the beginning naturalist needs. Condensed versions of the famous Peterson Field Guides, the First Guides focus on the animals, plants, and other natural things you are most likely to see. They make it fun to get into the field and easy to progress to the full-fledged Peterson Guides.
More Activities for Middle Schoolers
Also, here are some more activities for middle schoolers.
- Science Fiction for Middle School Fun Jurassic Park Quick Unit Study (DIY Insect in Amber)
- How to Teach Science Through A Story – Middle & High School
- Middle School Hands-on Science : Extreme Winds + Free Minibook
- How to Create Easy Back to School Basket Ideas for Middle School (Anatomy)
- Human Body Books for Middle and High School Homeschooled Kids
- Free Middle School Science Curriculum and Magazines
Furthermore, here are more ideas for nature study.
Nature Study Activities
What’s more is that nature studies are good to do for multiple ages. You’ll love these other nature study activities.
- 26 Free Nature Unit Studies for Multiple Ages
- Famous and Historic Trees Fun Nature and History Homeschool Unit Study
- Homeschool Kindergarten Life Science – Hands-on Fun Nature Tree Study
- How to Make an Easy Nature Paint Brush With Kids
- 20 Nature-Inspired Kids’ Novels to Nurture Interest In the Outdoors
- Facts About Wildflowers And a Fun Felt Texas Bluebonnet Craft
- How to Easily Make a Simple and Fun Kids DIY Flower Press
- Fun Kids Activity How to Make Wildflower Seed Bombs
How to Make a Hiking Bag
Finally, look at these items to prepare you middle schooler for a day outdoors.
- Bug spray-Dark and often damp woods are magnets for mosquitos, ticks, and more.
- Chapstick- Sun and wind can be hard on your lips, especially if you aren’t staying hydrated enough.
- Sunscreen- Even if it is overcast it’s a good idea to protect your skin.
- Field guides- depending on where you were going and what’s in your area you might want to pack a long, one or two light field guides. You can grab field guides for common birds, trees, or wildflowers in your area.
- First aid kit-You don’t need a large one unless you’re going on a multi-day hike. A few hours or a day-long hike would require a few Band-Aids, an alcohol wipe or two, and some kind of travel-sized antibiotic ointment.
- Epi-Pen- If this is something you generally need to keep on hand anyway you do not want to get stuck out on a trail without it.
- Water- Take plenty of bottled water along to stay hydrated or rinse off small scrapes, etc.
- High-protein snacks- Seeds, nuts, protein bars, and beef jerky are all good high-energy snacks to replenish energy.
- Camera-You would hate to miss an amazing shot of a deer crossing the trail or a bird rare to your area.
- Cell Phone- I don’t think you will have to tell your teen twice to pack their phone, another great option for photos, and emergencies, and as a GPS for trail apps and geocaching.
- Extra battery pack – If you will be out hiking for a long day you will want to grab some kind of backup battery pack.
Optional Hiking Items For Outdoor Activities For Middle Schoolers
- Flower Press- In many states it is illegal to remove flowers, animals, and any other park property but for fields and other locations that are not protected you may want to have one with you.
- Notebook/Pen
- Hat/Sunglasses
Ready to take your learning outdoors?
