Exploring Plants

Spring is springin’ and plants are growin’. Whether they’re growing in sidewalk cracks or out at one of our sanctuaries, plants are great for learning!

*Umbles, samaras, and galls - so many new words to learn.*

Planto

Kids will learn about the words scientists use to describe plant parts in this fun scavenger hunt. Good for all kids, but great for kids in grades 2-8.

Click to Download Planto

You’ll need a place where a variety of plants grow. A backyard would work, but a natural area would be more exciting. Print off one Planto sheet per kid, or have everyone work together to fill out one.

There are many ways to play Plant-O, but here is our favorite:

Begin by having each kid collect one leaf and return to sit in a circle. Use the leaves as examples as you review the leaf-ID sections of the card (shapes, bases, margins, tips, and attachments). Discuss the other sections (leaf arrangements & habit), then walk together to find plants that match one or two of the images.

Finally, start the scavenger hunt! Work in teams, pairs, or individually to check off the things you find. The first one to get 5 in a row (Bingo rules) wins!

For the scavenger hunt, you can either set a boundary and let the kids explore freely, or all walk together on a trail searching for items to mark off.

Learning Leaf Parts (A Scavenger Hunt)

Kids learn about the words scientists use to describe leaves and explore the plants around you! Great for kids in grades 2-8.

You’ll need a natural area with lots of leaves (either on plants or on the ground) and pace to discuss their findings, either in a circle or a group.

Take a closer look at leaf parts - it’s fun, we promise! — *Take a closer look at leaf parts - it’s fun, we promise*!

Download our Leaf Shape Observation Sheet.

* Before you turn kids loose, tell them whether they are allowed to pick leaves off of living plants, or whether they should only pick up leaves from the ground. Also note whether there is poison ivy or parsnip in the area.

Explaining the Observation Sheet:

This sheet is a bit like building an avatar for a video game. All of the different parts of a leaf are on here, and there are different kids of each part. If we were imagining a made-up leaf, we could choose any kind of each part we wanted, and come up with lots of different looking leaves. For example, you could take any leaf shape and add any of the leaf margins to it.

Note: there are numbers assigned to each part along with the word scientists use. Even if kids can’t pronounce the science word, they can still talk about the leaf parts using the numbers.

Remember, if you’re trying to match a part of a leaf you’ve found with something on the sheet, just look for one that is the closest. Not every type of leaf shape is on here. Close enough is good enough for this.

Lesson options:

Explain the Observation Sheet first, and talk about the different parts. You may want to have a leaf handy to show kids how they can identify the different leaf parts and shapes.

*Fist full o’ leaves and her hair in the breeze. What a good day.*

Have kids go find their own leaf and come back to the circle. Let the kids work alone or in pairs to identify the parts of their leaf, and match the shapes. You might have them draw their leaf and label the parts in a nature journal.
Have all of the kids go find their own leaf and come back to the circle. Choose one kid’s leaf to talk about as a group. Either lead them in the discussion, or let the child who found the leaf lead it. Talk about the leaf parts, and try to match each part to something on the sheet. Then, talk about the other leaves brought back by kids.
Go on a short walk to observe leaves growing on plants. Use the sheet to identify different leaf arrangements and attachments.
Go on a scavenger hunt. Choose one item on the sheet (a specific leaf margin or type of venation) and try to find it in nature. See how many you can find!

Original Southern Wisconsin Bird Alliance lesson.

*This tree guide is super cool. Can you find a Ginkgo in your neighborhood?*

Wisconsin Urban Tree Key

Make your next neighborhood walk into a tree safari! The Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources (WDNR) has an excellent tree identification sheet for kids (and kids at heart). Great for all ages!

Download the Wisconsin Urban Tree Key

Try to see how many trees you can find, or set a goal to find a specific tree.

Omm nom nom. Really though, don’t eat plants you find outside unless you’re absolutely certain they’re safe. — *Omm nom nom. Really though, don’t eat plants you find outside unless you’re absolutely certain they’re safe*.

More fun plant activities:

Tree Tag on our Get Moving! page

Meet a Tree on our Connecting with Nature page

Art Like Andy Goldsworthy and Nature Mandalas on our Nature Art page.

Banner photo: summer flowers at Pheasant Branch. Photo by Carolyn Byers