Bird-watching with kids, cozy crafts and recipes, and other fall family fun

RJ Hamster

10 months ago

Get ahead of Cold-Weather Couch-Potato Syndrome (yes, we made that up) by inspiring your family to go outside. Check out our hints for spotting cute animals in the wild, plus learn how you can inspire the birder in your child. And you’ll sound supersmart when you explain to kids how wild critters prepare for dropping temperatures. Plus: Take the quiz to see what early Pilgrims called stuffing.

PHOTOGRAPH BY MARY READ / NPL / MINDEN PICTURES

Show kids the secret lives of animals

Kids might think animals totally disappear for the fall and winter, but plenty of wild activity is still going on. (Wild baby chipmunks, anyone?) These tips will help your family connect with nature this fall.

GET OUTSIDE

PHOTOGRAPH BY AIDAN BRUBAKER / MACAULAY LIBRARY AT THE CORNELL LAB OF ORNITHOLOGY

Fall is for the birds—and it’s a great way to get kids outside

A common question that kids (and parents!) often ask is How do birds know when to fly south? Learn the answer, then break it down for kids during a bird-watching activity.

SEE FALL FLIERS

BOREDOM BUSTERS

PHOTOGRAPH BY MIKE PIAZZA

‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ GOT 15 MINS?‌ ‌ ‌

MAKE HOT CIDER

Celebrate two flavors of fall (apples and cinnamon) with our kid-friendly recipe.

GET COOKING

PHOTOGRAPH BY RUTH A. MUSGRAVE

‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ GOT 30 MINS?‌ ‌ ‌

SCIENCE-Y CRAFTS

Send the kids outside to collect fallen leaves for an experiment that doubles as a craft project.

TRY THE EXPERIMENT

PARENT’S ESCAPE: Enter for a chance to win a family vacation to Walt Disney World resort, including Animal Kingdom theme park! (Talk about migrating your flock …)

HERE’S OUR STAFF’S TOP PICKS FOR BEGINNING BIRDERS

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National Geographic Kids Bird Guide of North America, Second Edition

FIND IT NOW ON AMAZON

Build & Paint Bird Feeder

FIND IT NOW ON AMAZON

DINNER TABLE TOPICS FROM THE NOVEMBER NAT GEO KIDSMAGAZINE

With big feet and thick fur, mountain hares have adapted to living in the chilly Scottish Highlands. Learn more from the article, then ask readers to think about how their favorite animal would need to adapt if the climate suddenly got colder—or warmer.

It’s not exactly the same as what happens to your milk jug after it goes into the recycling bin, but we bet your kids will be flushwith excitement over what happens after, um, they press the toilet handle. Check out the NGK article, then see what ideas they have to help keep water clean.

This issue’s feature about river otters shows readers how playtime actually helps these creatures survive. Read the article, then ask kids to think about life skills that their favorite games—board, digital, or otherwise—might teach them.

Not a subscriber? For a limited time gift Nat Geo Kids magazine and receive FOUR bonus issues + Weird But True! Disney edition book with any 2-year subscription.

GOOD READS

Bird-watching encourages outdoor exploration—and it could help boost kids’ memory skills.

Capture your family gatherings this season with suggestions for the best video cameras from the Nat Geo photo engineering team.

Here’s why cooking with olive oil this Thanksgiving is so healthy for your family.

Studies show more kids are being diagnosed with nearsightedness. These treatment options can prevent their vision from getting worse.

Leafy greens are packed with vitamins, but they can also make your family sick. Get tips to stay safe.

What did early Pilgrims call Thanksgiving stuffing?

A. Bird food
B. Puddings in the belly
C. Dressing
D. Fowl filling

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