Science learning and fun isn't just for school! These are some activities you can do as a family to learn and laugh together.
Note: Many of these links are to external websites not managed by Inside the Outdoors.
Project Zero Waste at Home
Inside the Outdoors is working with schools to help reduce waste on school campuses. You can also reduce your waste at home. Here are some ideas of ways to reduce what ends up in the landfill.
EcoChallege Activity Book
EcoChallege - Hazardous Waste Disposal
Column Composter - Build a mini composter that allows you to see decomposition in action!
Waste Reduction Challenge
Small Footprint Family - Ways to reduce waste at Home
Using Repurposed Materials for Crafts
Waste Reduction Resources - Includes information about local trash haulers.
Go Outside!
Take your family outside and explore your neighborhood. These are some activities that can be done as a family.
NSI (Nature Scene Investigators) Backyard Missions
Backyard Birding
Make a Rain Gauge
Project Learning Tree Family Activities
Homemade Spectroscope - Seeing Rainbows in the world
Let's Go Outside - Activities and Hikes in Orange County
Fun Orange County Parks - Park Tips and Play Trips
Plan a Day Out - Things to do in Orange County
Get to Know - Activities to help your family get to know the outdoors
Kitchen Science Lab
Turn your kitchen into a science lab! These are some fun experiments that use common kitchen items.
Red Cabbage pH Paper
Kitchen Science for Kids - Over 30 different experiments
Science Kiddo Experiment Ideas
Engineering Challenges at Home
Challenge your family to use repurposed items in these activities.
Build a Bird Nest
Straw Boats
Build a Kish
Water Savers
Is your home water efficient? In what ways can you save water at home?
Water Education Family Activities - Provided by the Metropolitan Water District of Southern California
Water Calculator - Where do you use water in your house and tips on how to reduce water usage.
Install a Rain Barrel - You might be eligible for a rebate from the state!
Residential Water Rebates
Nature Scene Investigators - NSI
Nature Scene Investigators (NSI), a clue-based outdoor program with self-guided activities that guide your family though local Orange County Parks. This project was created by local High School students as part of a school Service Learning Project. NSI booklets are available at Inside the Outdoors events and local Orange County Parks and Libraries.
Some of the operations are also available to download.
NSI Backyard Missions
Free/Low Cost Field Guide Apps
This is a short list of apps that our staff use to help with identifcation in the field. These are free or low cost apps that are available on most platforms. Search for these apps in App Store or similar store on your device.
Bird Identification
Merlin-(free) bird identification by Cornell University,
Audubon Bird Guide: California
EyeLoveBirds
Plant Identification
iNaturalist-(free) plant identification app
PictureThis
PlantNet (Pl@ntNet)
Hiking
Hiking Project/Climbing Project/Mountain Project
AllTrails
General
Seek by iNaturalist
National Geographic – Many different apps fordifferent audiences
Interested in Student Contests?
Visit
Contests and School Wide Activities page for contests available for students in and around Orange County! Most of these contests are for individuals and students can participate on their own.
