Autumn - April and May nature study ideas

We've had a wet and stormy summer, so a sunny day in autumn is a day not to be missed. We pack camera and binoculars and head off in to the outdoors.

The first think we notice is how long (and strange) our shadows are. In autumn and winter, our part of the world (the southern hemisphere) tilts away from the sun causing shorter days but also changing the angle of the sun.

As we walk the children play shadow games - positioning their shadows so they stand on our shadow shoulders, or turning us into giants. It reminds me that autumn is a good time to make sundials and talk about shadows.

Autumn is a good time to encourage children to observe the weather as it changes every day - from sun to rain, wind to stillness, storms to fine weather.

Hail and Snow - what's the difference? and some Rainy Day activities

Cold weather is sweeping across New Zealand in waves this winter. Children who have never seen or touched snow before have had the chance to build snow people and have snow fights. And discover that while it might be fun in its snow form, it soon melts and turns into wet slush.