PBS KIDS Explore the Outdoors

NRPA is working with PBS KIDS and PBS stations across the country to promote PBS KIDS Explore the Outdoors in April 2013. The program encourages children (ages 2 to 6 years old) and families to get outdoors and spend more time at their local park.

Connecting children with nature is important to their mental, physical and emotional development. Children who spend time outdoors do better in science, get more physical exercise and grow-up to be environmental stewards. Research led by environmental psychologist Nancy Wells show that children with more exposure to nature have reduced stress levels and longer attention spans.

How can you and your park and recreation agency get involved? Contact Shelley O'Brien at NRPA.

2013 PBS Kids Explore the Outdoors Toolkit

• Template Press Releases:
  parks partnering with local stations | parks not partnering with local stations 
• Activity Guide for Park Events (2013 Guide)
• Art:
• PBS Kids Explore the Outdoors color logos: Large | Small 
• PBS Kids Explore the Outdoors black & white logos: Boy: Large | Small & Girl: Large | Small 
• America's Backyard logo (2000x1216 pixels)
• Event Signs: 11x17 (PDF: 8MB) | 17x5  (PDF: 6.5MB) | 17x11 (PDF: 9.7MB) 
• Event Stickers 
• Online Banners: 160x600 pixels | 300x250 pixels | 728x90 pixels 
• Post Card: front | back 
• Print Ads: version one full page | version one half page | version two full page | version two half page 
• Program Overview  

Activity Ideas  

• Sid the Science Kid's Weather Exploration:
• Activity Sheet: Sid’s Weather Chart  

• The Cat in the Hat Knows A Lot About That! – Exploring Trees:
• Activity Sheet: Bark/Leaf Rubbing  

• Curious George’s Windy Day Exploration:
• Activity Sheet: Make Your Own Pinwheel  

• Wild Kratts – Discovering Senses:
• Activity Sheet: Nature Journal  

• Dinosaur Train – What Lives Here?
• Activity Sheet: Nature Trackers Nature Treasure Hunt  

• Dash’s Build Your Own Bird’s Nest:
• Take-away Activity Sheet: Make your own bird feeder  

• Dot’s Nature Poetry:
• Activity & Activity Sheet – Create a nature poem!  

• Create a Nature Collage
• On-Site Activity: Create a nature collage  

• Dot’s Nature Wordfind
• Activity Sheet: Wordfind printouts  
• Take-away: Wild Kratts Nature Journal

• Curious George's Recycling Challenge:
• Take-away: At home Curious George Recycling Activity sheets  

For more information, please contact Shelley O’Brien.