Audubon at Home

ACTIVITY | These critters may be found under a log in your backyard or in the forest. How many can you find?

CRAFT | A log makes a great roof for the home of many animals. It gives animals shelter, shade, and protection. Would you want to live under a log?

VIRTUAL STORY | Join Audubon Educator Lisa for a virtual story: Under One Rock: Bugs, Slugs, and Other Ughs written by Anthony D. Fredericks and illustrated by Jennifer DiRubbio.

VIDEO | Follow Audubon Educator Tracey outside and find out just what kinds of critters you may find under a log!

VIDEO | Meet Ida! Ida is a California two-spot octopus who lives at the Audubon Society of Rhode Island. Travel behind the scenes at Audubon with aquarist Olivia from Roger Williams University to learn more about Ida.

VIRTUAL STORY | Join Audubon Educator Ianna for a virtual story: Octopus Alone written and illustraed by Divya Srinivasan.

FACT SHEET | A California two-spot octopus (Octopus bimaculoides) has taken up residence in an aquarium focus tank at the Nature Center and Aquarium. With its complex brain, these creatures are considered one of the world's most intelligent invertebrates. We thought it would be fun to share some quick facts about this octopus with you.

CRAFT | Octopuses are best known for their main defense against predators: using special skin cells to change color and camouflage! Think about an octopuses ocean environment - what color will you make yours?

VIDEO | Join Audubon Educator Kim and meet Zephyr the Peregrine Falcon - our first Peregrine Animal Ambassador!

VIRTUAL STORY | Join Audubon Educator Ianna for a virtual story: Maggie the One-Eyed Peregrine Falcon: A True Story of Rescue and Rehabilitation by Christie Gove-Berg.

CRAFT | Make your own Peregrine Falcon life cycle mobile and hang it in your home!

FACT SHEET | The fastest bird on the planet, Peregrine Falcons like the high life. These beautiful and fascinating birds have some amazing adaptations: learn more!

LIVE STREAM | Watch the #ProvidencePeregrines LIVE on our website as they hatch, grow and fledge in Providence, courtesy of our webcam.

ACTIVITY| Add a new dimension to your nature explorations! Take your Rovin' Raven along when you hike on Audubon wildlife refuges and other outdoor adventures. Tag us and share your photos on Facebook or Instagram using #RovinRaven.

VIRTUAL STORY | Join Ravens Zach and Lucy as Audubon Educator Lauren reads Clever Crow, written by Cynthia De felice and illustrated by S.D. Schindler.

INFO SHEET | When it comes to intelligent animals, the Raven is right up there. From playing in the snow to imitating the Barred Owl who lives next door, Audubon’s Zachariah is constantly surprising and inspiring his caretakers. We thought it would be fun to share some quick Zach facts with you.

CRAFT | Zach and Lucy, the two Ravens cared for by the Audubon Society of Rhode Island, enjoy pine cone feeders on a regular basis. These treats encourage their foraging behaviors. Many birds in your neighborhood will also eat from these feeders. Make your own pine cone bird feeder and see what birds visit your yard!

VIDEO | Enrichment is a very important part of caring for our animals, including Ravens Zach and Lucy. Learn about the creative ways we encourage natural behaviours in our animals to help boost and maintain their physical and mental health!

ILLUSTRATION | A fun and easy guide on the differences between Common Ravens and American Crows by Corvid Research and the artist Rosemary Moscow of birdandmoon.com.

LIVE STREAM | You can watch the silly antics of Audubon Common Ravens Zach and Lucy on our website!

SCAVENGER HUNT | Become an astronomer! Astronomers study space, planets, and stars. Can you find all of these features in the night sky?

VIRTUAL STORY | Join Audubon Naturalist Katie as she reads Moon, by Britta Teckentrup.

VIRTUAL STORY | Join Audubon Naturalist Katie as she reads Zoo In the Sky: A Book of Animal Constellations, written by Jacqueline Mitton and illustrated by Christina Balit.

VIDEO | What can you find in the night sky? Learn viewing tips and more from Audubon Naturalist Lisa!

CRAFT | A constellation is a group of stars. When viewed from the earth the group of stars make a pattern. The pattern can look like animals,. people or objects. Using scratch art, you can make your own constellation!

VIDEO | Take a walk with Audubon Educator Tracey as she searches for animal tracks and signs at the Audubon Fort Wildlife Refuge!

IDENTIFICATION | Whether it's snowy or muddy, there's nothing more fascinating than finding animal tracks and signs of wildlife on your nature walk. You can tell a lot about what's going on in nature by paying attention to these telltale marks left behind. As you head out on the trails, keep your eyes peeled for the following.

IMAGES | Audubon has put wildlife cameras out in some areas of the refuges, far away from the trails, to catch a glimpse of animals as they pass by undisturbed. Check out the photos to see who was there!

CRAFT/ACTIVITY | During the winter, look for animal footprints or tracks left in the snow to see if you can discover who has been moving about outside looking for food.

VIRTUAL STORY | Join Audubon Educator Lisa for virtual storytime: Animal Tracks, written and illustrated by Arthur Dorros

FACT SHEET | Out on a frosty hike, you pass a trickling stream that is frozen in places. Wait! What was that rustle and flash of chocolate brown fur? Could it be a mink?

ACTIVITY | Wait for a good snowstorm and take this scavenger hunt outside to see which of these things you can find!

FACT SHEET | Winter may bring cold temperatures but it also brings the magic of snow – like confetti falling from the sky! Have you ever wondered how a snowflake is made or how animals live under the snow? Let’s become snow scientists together.

CRAFT | Mink have long slender bodies that help them move swiftly around their habitat. Create a mink puppet of your own and bring it along on an adventure!

ACTIVITY | Come to Audubon's McIntosh Wildlife Refuge, home of the Nature Center and Aquarium to complete this scavenger hunt using our habitat signs!

VIRTUAL STORY| Join Audubon Naturalist Ianna as she reads In the Snow: Who's Been Here? written by Lindsay Barrett George!

VIDEO | Explore Providence, Rhode Island's largest park, Neutaconkanut Hill, in the snow with Audubon Educator Lisa!

FACTS/ACTIVITIES | Learn more about the science behind snow with hands-on activities!

VIRTUAL STORY| Watch Senior Director of Education Lauren Parmelee read One Odd, Old Owl by Paul Adshead to Audubon's Barred Owl, Eec!

FACT SHEET | As you hike through the forest, have you ever seen a hole in a tree and wondered what lived there? Find out more!

VIDEO | Join us for a behind the scenes look at Barred Owl Archimedes' mew, or enclosure. Learn about elements of the enclosure that help Archie live his best life!

CRAFT | Print, color, cut and play! Source links are provided in the document in case you need to resize the masks!

ARTICLE | Read this article for owl fact versus fiction myth-busting to help guide your child's learning.

FACT SHEET | Which owl species have the largest eyes? What is so different about owl feet? Find out!

CRAFT | Feed the frog! Have fun trying to toss the insect into the air and catch it in the frog's mouth with this fun craft!

VIDEO | Join Audubon Naturalist Tracey Hall for an Animal Interview with Indy the White's Tree Frog!

APP | Become a citizen scientist and help RI’s reptiles and amphibians with RI Department of Fish and Wildlife's Herp Observer app!

ACTIVITIES | Try these fun ideas to get moving and see how YOU compare to a frog!

ID FACT SHEET | Frogs and toads thrive in the many ponds, forests , fields and open woodlands found on Audubon wildlife refuges. Listed hereare the common species found in Rhode Island!

VIRTUAL STORY | Listen to Audubon Naturalist Tracey read Jump, Frog, Jump! by Robert Kalan. Keep watching for bonus frog calls and facts!

FACT SHEET | Many Audubon wildlife refuges include wetland habitats such as ponds, creeks, swamps and marshes. Sneak quietly up to the edge of the water and watch for these turtles enjoying the sun.

CRAFT | Use this template to make a fun turtle puppet. All you'll need are scissors, tape and a craft stick or pencil!

VIRTUAL STORY | Listen to Audubon Educator Caroline read Tudley Didn't Know by John Himmelman!

ACTIVITY | Make a turtle crossing sign to remind people to be aware and watch out for turtles in the spring!

WEBSITE | Audubon recommends all injured turtles and other wildlife to be brought to the Wildlife Rehabilitators of Rhode Island located in Saunderstown, RI. Spread the word!

VIDEO | Meet Franklin the Eastern Box Turtle and Dotty the Spotted Turtle! Learn about the differences between these two species found in Rhode Island.

Visit the Audubon Online Nature Shop for all your backyard exploration needs including Junior Adventurer's equiptment, Field Guides, "What Bird Am I?" Bird ID Game and more!

ACTIVITIES | Head Out On A Backyard Safari! There’s so much to explore just out your front door!

VIDEO | There are so many signs of spring all around us - even in the city! Join Audubon Educator Lisa on a backyard and neighborhood nature walk.

CRAFT | After you find a cool insect, spider and other critter in your backyard, you might draw it or build a model of it to show others OR you could design your own bug!

VIRTUAL STORY | Listen to Audubon Educator Ianna read Those Darn Squirrels! by Adam Rubin!

SENSORY SCAVENGER HUNT | Find a comfortable spot to sit and be very quiet for a moment. Do you hear birds or see a squirrel? Take a walk around your neighborhood with your family and see how many animals and insects you can find!

SCAVENGER HUNT | Can you find ANTS and PLANTS in your backyard and neighborhood?

VIDEO | Do you recycle at home? Did you know there are other species that recycle?! Join Audubon Educator Lisa in a backyard worm investigation to learn more about nature's recyclers!

Earth Week Special: In honor of Earth Day, Audubon at Home's Week Five focuses on the endangered animals and plants found in the Ocean State. Let’s celebrate planet Earth together!

VIRTUAL STORY | Listen to Audubon Educator Lisa read Why Should I Protect Nature? by Jen Green!

ACTION IDEAS | You can take action to reduce the amount of plastic you use. You can also teach others to do the same!

ACTIVITY PACKET | Learn how to identify North Atlantic right whales and some of the reasons why they are endangered. Activities include whale curriculum, word search, crossword puzzle, resources page and videos!

INFO & ACTIVITY | Learn how to help birds, like the Blackburnian Warbler, thrive! Invite birds to your backyard by offering things they might use to create a nest.

ACTIVITY & INFO SHEET | Look for beetles in your own backyard! This rare beetle is found in only a few places in the United States and Rhode Island is one. Beetles might be found on plants, under logs or on the bark of a tree - draw what you find or color ours!

INFO & LINKS TO LIVE-STREAMS | Sixty years ago, Peregrine Falcons and Bald Eagles where nowhere to be found in Rhode Island, and
the Osprey population was in steep decline. Now, they are so plentiful, we can all watch them from home!

INFO & ACTIVITY | Celebrate RI native plants by going on a flower walk in your backyard or neighborhood! Audubon protects habitats where uncommon and rare plants grow. When you visit wildlife refuges, parks, or gardens, be sure to stay on the trail so you do not crush the plants!

VIRTUAL STORY | Listen to Audubon Educator Lisa read The Lorax by Dr. Seuss.

SCAVENGER HUNT | Can you spot these common backyard birds in your yard?

CRAFT | Watching birds is fun for all ages! Create toilet paper tube binoculars to help young explorers observe backyard birds.

ACTIVITY | Can you build a nest as effectively as a bird? Birds are amazing engineers when it comes to building nests! They use math, science and art skills in their
nest building without even realizing it. In this activity, you are challenged to design, build and test a nest that can hold 3 to 5 “eggs.”

VIRTUAL STORY | Listen to Audubon Educator Tracey Hall read How Birds Find Their Way by Roma Gans!

VIDEO/ACTIVITY | Become a “bird chef” and create unique and tasty dishes for feathered friends in your backyard! This fun and easy activity puts pantry items to use while helping the birds by provided extra food during their busy nesting season.

ARTICLE | Let's go birding with Laura Carberry! There is no easier way to connect kids with nature than birding. Birds can be found year round, in any habitat, and the learning possibilities are virtually endless. All you need are a few simple tools.

ARTICLE | What to do when you find birds or wildlife in distress. Before intervening in any way with an animal that appears to be injured or orphaned, monitor it from a distance and make a few careful observations.

VIDEO | Join Lauren Parmelee on a search for common backyard birds. All you need is your eyes and ears!

VIRTUAL STORY | Listen to Audubon Educator Katie read Up in the Garden and Down in the Dirt by Kate Messner!

ACTIVITY | Create a list of what you think might be found in soil. Go outside, see what you can find and compare your recipe with the soil in your backyard!

RECIPE | When you go outside to dig in the dirt, what do you find? Rocks? Clumps of soil? Worms? Try this fun recipe and make some “dirt” that’s safe to eat!

ACTIVITY VIDEO | Get outside and create a "Toad Abode" with Audubon educator Tracey. Using materials found outside, you can provide shelter for small critters in your backyard!

Learn about "biorentention areas" - a new feature at the Audubon Nature Center and Aquarium. It may have a big name, but plays a simple yet important role in rain water management! The bio-retention area was designed by Shannon Rozea, Landscape Architect, Synergy Design, LLC in Bristol, RI

ACTIVITY | All fish live in water, have fins and use gills to breathe, but there are so many different varieties, it is amazing! They come in all sorts of different shapes, sizes and colors. Be creative and design your own fish mosaic.

VIRTUAL STORY | Listen to Audubon Educator Ianna read Dear Mr. Blueberry by Simon James!

VIRTUAL STORY | Listen to Audubon Educator Ianna read "When the Tide is Low" by Sheila Cole!

VIDEO | Come take a look behind the scenes at Audubon's Nature Center and Aquarium! Join DaNelle Ellington, a Roger Williams University Aquarist as she cleans the salt marsh habitat system and feeds the marine life that call it home!

VIDEO | Join Educator Lisa in the Audubon Nature Center and Aquarium's Tidepool Exhibit and meet a Sea Star!

CRAFT & ACTIVITIES | Make and underwater viewer, look at sand up close, play I Spy and compare sea shells!

ACTIVITIES | Predict how many drops of water will fit on the surface of a penny; make an ocean in a bottle; and explore water density!

PHOTOS | Use this photo guide to learn more about common creatures found in Narragansett Bay!

INFO SHEET | Download this guide and learn about the snakes of Rhode Island! Courtesy of Rhode Island Department of Environmental Management (RI DEM).

VIRTUAL STORY | Listen to Audubon Educator Lisa read Small Green Snake written by Libba Moore Gray and illustrated by Holly Meade!

Join Educators Lisa and Ianna and meet ball python Monty and her son Marty.

CRAFT | Do you think you can create a snake that camouflages as well as wild snakes? Use this template and create your snake to find out!

ACTIVITY | Let's learn more about snakes by comparing them to people!

CRAFT | Support native solitary bees by making your own bee hotel out of recycled materials. Help critical pollinators such as mason bees, leafcutter bees, sweat bees and more by providing a place for them to nest.

VIRTUAL STORY | Listen to Audubon Educator Katie read "Flowers are Calling" written by Rita Gray and illustrated by Kenard Pak!

VIRTUAL STORY | Listen to Audubon Educator Katie read Bee: A Peek-Through Picture Book written and illustrated by Britta Teckentrup!

ACTIVITY | Match the animals with the flowers they pollinate.

CRAFT | Create flower and butterfly finger puppets and make up a story about!

INFO & ACTIVITY VIDEO | Learn all about wetlands with Audubon educators Ianna, Lauren and Lisa.

VIRTUAL STORY | A boy finds a salamander in the woods and imagines the many things he can do to turn his room into a perfect salamander home. Together, Anne Mazer and Steve Johnson have created a woodland paradise that any salamander would love to share with a child.

VIDEO | Audubon refuge manager Barry found a baby snapping turtle in the filter of the man-made pond in the pollinator garden at the Audubon Nature Center and Aquarium. Now it's time to let him go back to nature.

CRAFT | Create your own wild and wonderful wetland. Have YOU heard of any these wetlands: swamps, marshes, bogs, vernal pools, or ponds? Now you can make your own.

FUN FACTS | For amphibians like the spotted salamander, spring rain and warmer temperatures create a magical combination.
The change in weather is a signal to wake up and lay and fertilize their eggs.

VIDEO | Join Audubon Educator Ianna on a wetlands investigation! The identification app she is using is called Creek Critter, developed by the Audubon Naturalist Society.

INFO SHEET | The raptors shown in these pictures (by Peter Green of Providence Raptors) are at home in Rhode Island’s capital city, Providence! Can you find these familiar Providence landmarks where these amazing birds were spotted?

VIDEO | Join Educators Lauren and Lisa and meet Atlanta the Red-tailed Hawk!

VIRTUAL STORY | Listen to Audubon Educator Lisa read City Hawk: The Story of Pale Male written and illustrated by Meghan McCarthy!

CRAFT | Use this template to create a hawk - then let them fly!

Video | Heading to the beach this summer? Join Audubon educator Ianna as we explore ways to protect shorebirds!

INFO SHEET | Piping Plovers are a threatened species, primarily due to habitat loss and nest destruction. Their coloring blends in well with the habitat found along the shore,
providing excellent camouflage.

VIRTUAL STORY | Listen to Audubon Educator Ianna read The Best Beak in Boonaroo Bay written and illustrated by Narelle Oliver!

CRAFT | A thaumatrope is a toy first created in the 1800s. It is like an early animated cartoon that tricks your eyes into seeing two different pictures at the same time.

INFO SHEET | We are lucky to have these important habitats here in Rhode Island as they provide a home for many birds and wildlife species.

INFOGRAPHIC | Download and share this infographic to your social media channels to spread the word!

INFO SHEET | Here are some common trees planted along the streets and in our local parks. Can you find any of these in your neighborhood?

VIRTUAL STORY | Listen to Audubon Educator Tracey read Greta and the Giants, written by Zoë Tucker and illustrated by Zoe Persico!

CRAFT | Plants use their leaves to make food in a process called photosynthesis. Since leaves come in all shapes and sizes, you can also use them to create art!

ACTIVITY | Many animals make their homes in trees. Can you find any of these tree-loving animals in your neighborhood?

VIRTUAL STORY | Listen to Audubon Educator Lisa read "Hello Willow", written by Kimberly Poulton and illustrated by Jennifer O'Keefe!

ACTIVITIES | Stay up late one night this summer and discover the fascinating world of moths!

VIRTUAL STORY | Listen to Audubon Educator Lisa read Bats at the Beach, written and illustrated by Brian Lies!

CRAFT | Did you know that bats are the only mammal that can fly? Here is a fun craft you can make to pretend that you’re a bat!

VIDEO | Join Audubon Educator Lisa and meet Eec the Barred Owl!

VIDEO | Sing-along with Audubon Educators Lisa and Tracey. Download lyrics for "Dance like a Diplodocus" and "Prehistoric Parade" in the next block.

LYRICS | These are the lyrics for "Dance like a Diplodocus" and "Prehistoric Parade" - use them to sing-along with the video!

ACTIVITY | Can you figure out what these dinosaurs had for dinner?

VIDEO | Join Audubon Educator Ianna as she compares and contrasts dinosaurs and turtles, featuring Franklin the Box Turtle.

CRAFT | Can you figure out how the dinosaur fossil puzzle pieces go together?

VIRTUAL STORY | Listen along as Audubon Educator Tracey reads Harry and the Bucketful of Dinosaurs, written by Ian Whybrow and illustrated by Adrian Reynolds!

VIDEO | Learn about one of the many ways Audubon protects insects that benefit the ecosystem! See why this is important and how you can help pollinators and other insects at your home.

VIRTUAL STORY | Join Audubon Educator Ianna for a virtual story ready of The Bugliest Bug, written by Carol Diggory Sheilds and illustrated by Scott Nash. BONUS: stick around for The Insect Song with Ianna and Lisa!

VIDEO | Join Audubon Educator Lisa and meet some Madagascar Hissing Cockroaches!

ACTIVITY | Insects have amazing life cycles! Match the young insects with the adult insects they become.

ACTIVITY | Whether they are blending in or standing out, insect bodies' colors & patterns act as a defense strategy. Your challenge is to design an insect with a defense strategy to protect it from hungry predators.

CRAFT | Make a ladybug out of hand-print cutouts!

Kids Page| Ever wonder what makes all that buzzing on hot summer days?

VIDEO | The Insect Orchestra: and interactive exhibit of insects and their sounds by Melissa Guillet - a new exhibit at the Audubon Nature Center and Aquarium!

ACTIVITY | Look around for these things in your home that are made of rocks & minerals! How many can you find?

ACTIVITY | Take a walk outside and see if you can find the rocks on this scavenger hunt!

ACTIVITY | Did you know that other animals use minerals just like humans do? Use the clues next to each mineral to figure out which animal uses that mineral!

VIRTUAL STORY | Listen to Audubon Educator Lisa read-aloud If You Find a Rock by Peggy Christian and illustrated by Barbara Hirsch Lember.

VIDEO |Come for a walk with Audubon Educator Lisa and explore the basic geology! Observe the different colors, textures, shapes of rocks and minerals - along with the living creatures that benefit from the rocky features throughout the landscape.

CRAFT | Let’s make our own rocks with some mineral ingredients!

VIDEO | Join Educators Sharon and Lisa to learn about Audubon's newest animal ambassador: Darwin the diamond backed terrapin! Sharon tells the story of how Darwin came to live with Audubon and Lisa introduces you to his amazing features that help him survive in a water habitat.

VIDEO | What will Educators Lisa and Katie find in Narragansett Bay? Watch and find out as they use a seine net to discover some of the critters that live along the shore!

VIDEO | The Audubon Nature Center and Aquarium partners with Roger Williams University (RWU) Aquaculture and Aquarium Science to maintain our aquarium. Join RWU aquarist Alicia behind the scenes to learn about the critters that call the Nature Center home!

ACTIVITY VIDEO | Audubon Educator Ianna builds and tests mini boats: one made natural materials and the other made from recycled materials. Which one do you think will work best?

VIRTUAL STORY | Listen along as Audubon Educator Ianna reads Where Should Turtle Be?, written by Susan Ring and illustrated by Laurie Allen Klein!

CRAFT | The empty shells you find on the beach used to be the homes of sea animals like snails, clams, and scallops. Shells are used for jewelry all over the world. Learn how to make shell pendants using salt dough!

VIRTUAL STORY | Listen as Audubon Educator Ianna reads-aloud Night Gliders, written by Joanne Ryder and illustrated by Melissa Bay Mathis.

INFO SHEET | Learn how snakes have evolved to move - without legs!

CRAFT | Raccoons are amazingly agile climbers. Learn what makes them so good at climbing and make your own climbing raccoon!

ACTIVITY | Animals move around in many different ways. Match the animals to how they get around.

VIDEO | Join Audubon Educator Sharon as we explore the ways different animals use their unique anatomies to fly, swim, jump and more!