Here's a list of fun activities, websites, games and virtual tours that will keep the whole family entertained while learning about the natural environment, climate change, water conservation, pollution prevention and more!

General Environmental Activities
Water Conservation Activities
Nature and Wildlife
Gardening Ideas
Recycling and Composting Activities

Home for the Holidays

Looking for some games that you can play virtually with friends and family this year? How about a winter scavenger hunt? We've got some great games and ideas here! 

Home for the Holidays: Greener Davis Games (PDF)

General Environmental Activities

• Online Environmental Games! Looking for a fun way for kids to learn about the environment? The City of Davis has online games that can help your kids learn about water conservation, zero waste and stormwater pollution prevention! https://www.cityofdavis.org/city-hall/public-works-utilities-and-operations/environmental-resources/games 
  

• Air Quality Index  What should you do when the Air Quality Index is orange? Let the chameleons K.C., Koko, and Kool, show you how EPA measures pollution in the air. https://airnow.gov/index.cfm?action=aqikids_home.index
• All About EPA: How Does EPA Protect the Environment Activity Book Learn the basics about how EPA protects our health and environment. https://www.epa.gov/students/how-does-epa-protect-environment-activity-book-children
• Climate Kids: NASA's Eyes on the Earth Geared toward students, the multimedia-rich Climate Kids site uses games, humorous illustrations and animations to help break down the important issue of climate change. Ideal for kids grade 3-7. http://climatekids.nasa.gov/
• Energy Kids What is energy? Challenge yourself to riddles, puzzles, and science experiments. http://www.eia.gov/kids/energy.cfm?page=5
• National Institute of Environmental Health Science Kids' Page Games, puzzles, art, and more all about science, the environment, and environmental careers. https://kids.niehs.nih.gov/games/index.htm
• Nonpoint Source Pollution Awareness Word Search Puzzle Can you find the words? https://www.epa.gov/nps/nonpoint-source-pollution-awareness-word-search-puzzle
• Ozone Crossword Puzzle If you're good with words, and think you know all about the ozone layer (or want to learn more), then you're sure to enjoy this crossword puzzle. https://www.epa.gov/ozone-layer-protection/ozone-science-crossword-puzzle
• Particulate Matter (PM) Air Sensor Kits Particle pollution known as particulate matter (PM) is one of the major air pollutants regulated by EPA to protect public health and the environment. Build your own air sensor kit to investigate particulate pollution. https://www.epa.gov/air-research/air-quality-and-energy-choice-stem-activities-educators
• SciJinks- It's all about weather! Games all about weather and science! https://scijinks.gov/menu/games/

Water Conservation Activities 

• Save Davis Water Games Stop water waste by finding and fixing water leaks around town in the Plug the Leaks game. You can also learn more about making water conservation a way of life with Match the Facts.  http://games.cityofdavis.org/savedaviswater/
• How much water do you use each day? Here’s an interesting activity to try at home with your kids: have them guess how many gallons of water they use every day, then have them keep track of their water use. https://www.epa.gov/sites/production/files/2017-02/documents/ws-ourwater-drop-2-worksheet.pdf
• Water conservation math game for kids: have them calculate how much water they use when they shower. They can see how much water they can save when they cut their shower time by just one minute! https://www.epa.gov/sites/production/files/2017-02/documents/ws-ourwater-shower-better-learning-resource_0.pdf
• A Water leak activity page for kids from EPA WaterSense: https://www.epa.gov/sites/production/files/2017-02/documents/ws-ourwater-falw-activitypage.pdf
• Project WET: Discover Water! If you are looking for a great resource for kids to learn about the water cycle, using water wisely, soap science and more, check out the Project WET Discover Water website: https://www.discoverwater.org/
• Test your water knowledge Here’s a fun worksheet from the EPA WaterSense program that will help your kids understand where their water comes from, where it goes when it goes down the drain, and how the ways they use water affect the environment. https://www.epa.gov/sites/production/files/2017-02/documents/ws-ourwater-drop-1-worksheet.pdf Here’s the teaching guide for parents that goes with it: https://www.epa.gov/sites/production/files/2017-02/documents/ws-ourwater-drop-guide.pdf
• An online game that’s all about water! Kids can move the water-efficiency hero Flo through water pipes and answer water-efficiency questions while avoiding water-wasting monsters.  Best for kids Grades: 3-7  https://www3.epa.gov/watersense/quiz/game_kids.html
• Go with the Flow Let NASA teach you all about the flow of water. https://spaceplace.nasa.gov/ocean-currents/en

Nature and Wildlife

• Outdoor Scavenger Hunt Take some time to investigate the natural environment around Davis with this scavenger hunt.
• Local Bird Checklists Use these checklists to find local birds in your backyard, greenbelts and open spaces, or nearby waterways.
• Bird watching Whether you are in your backyard or taking a stroll around Davis’ many parks and greenbelts, you are certain to see birds. Do you know what they’re called? Where do they nest? What do they eat? Learning to identify birds can be fun and rewarding. Here are some tips for getting started as a birdwatcher:
  • Binoculars are super helpful for seeing and identifying birds. Especially ones that are high up in a tree.
    Find and use a good bird identification guide. Some suggestions include: National Geographic’s Guide to North American Birds, Sibley Field Guide to Birds of Western North America, Peterson’s Guide to Birds of North America.  There are several good mobile apps available as well. Search “bird guides” in your mobile app store.
  • Bring a pad of paper along to log the birds you see and other notes about what they were doing, etc. You may even be able to sketch out some features of a bird to help with identification at a later time.
  • Bird Bingo - Try your luck at Bird Bingo! Use the bingo cards at this link and work on filling in as many boxes as possible. Can you get Bingo?
• American Museum of Natural History-https://www.amnh.org/explore/ology
• Stargazing activity: From the CA State Parks Foundation, here's a stellar activity for kids: http://kids.parks.ca.gov/pages/22743/files/stargazing.pdf
• Bird watching activity from the CA State Parks Foundation: Becoming a bird-watcher is easy! All it takes is a sharp eye, good ears, and lots of patience. You can start your adventure in bird watching right in your own neighborhood. http://kids.parks.ca.gov/pages/22743/files/finefeathers.pdf
• Home learning activities From the CA State Parks Foundation: http://www.ports.parks.ca.gov
• Match the animal tracks game From the CA State Parks Foundation: http://kids.parks.ca.gov/pages/22784/files/ActivityAnimalPrints.pdf
• Smithsonian’s National Zoo & Conservation Biology Institute – https://www.si.edu/kids 
• Meet the animals of the Smithsonian National Zoo: https://nationalzoo.si.edu/animals/list
• Cornell Bird Lab – https://www.birds.cornell.edu/k12/get-started/
• Seafloor Mapping Making pictures of the sea floor is the science of hydrography; learn more about this amazing task. http://oceanservice.noaa.gov/education/seafloor-mapping/welcome.html

• Smokey for Kids Explore the different sections of the website to learn all sorts of ways you can help prevent wildfires. You’ll find activities, games, and learn a lot about protecting the forest. Have fun! https://smokeybear.com/en/smokey-for-kids
• The Migration Game Help Wanda the Wood Thrush travel from her winter home in Costa Rica to her summer home in Maryland. All you need to do is answer some questions about migratory birds. Each correct answer will bring her closer to her favorite forest where she'll be able to find a mate, build a nest, and lay her eggs! https://nationalzoo.si.edu/migratory-birds/play-migration-game
• Yellowstone Park - For Kids! Explore Yellowstone National Park online games and activities. Then look for kids' activities at other National Parks. https://www.nps.gov/yell/learn/kidsyouth/index.htm
• Habitats Do you know where the red-eyed tree frog calls home? Play this game based on animal habitats to learn! Explore the desert, coral reef, jungle, and marsh to discover where many animals live by matching each animal to its correct habitat! https://ssec.si.edu/habitats

Gardening Ideas

• Save those large plastic bottles and jugs! They make great little mini-greenhouses to help start your veggie garden!  Cut the bottom of the bottle/jug off, plant your seeds, then place the plastic bottle/jug over the top to shelter the seeds and seedlings from the cooler nights.  Pro Tip: To prevent the wind from blowing the bottles away, place a stake through the opening at the top to secure the plastic bottle to the ground.
• DIY greenhouse:  Use a clear plastic storage bin to cover up seeds and seedlings and help them get a head start even when it’s still cold outside.  Pro Tip: Place a brick or a rock on top of the bin to prevent it from blowing away during windy weather.
• Use pulled weeds, lawn clippings or hay as mulch around your plants. This can even work in your veggie garden! Mulch will help protect your soil from drying out, prevent weeds from sprouting up, and much, much more!
• Re-purposed wood. If you’re replacing an old fence, rather than throwing the old wood away, re-purpose it! You can make simple raised beds with the old wood and start a vegetable garden.

Recycling and Composting

• Online Zero Waste Games! Test your waste sorting knowledge with the Zero Waste Sorting Game and try and sort recycling, compost and trash into the correct bins before the time runs out!  Learn more about sorting your waste with Zero Waste Matching. http://games.cityofdavis.org/zerowastegames/ 
  
• Hazardous Waste Conference Call CalRecycle has a coloring book for kids that you can download and print to teach children about household hazardous waste: https://www2.calrecycle.ca.gov/Publications/Details/130.  It’s also available in Spanish: Casa Segura, Estoy Seguro!
• Recycle City There's lots to do at Recycle City—an online game from the US EPA.  In this game there are people and places to visit, as well as plenty of ways to explore how the city's residents recycle, reduce, and reuse waste.  In addition to the game itself, the website also has other in-home activities available.  https://www3.epa.gov/recyclecity/