Skip to main content
  • Directory
  • Magazine
  • Contributors
Home

Main navigation

  • Playground
  • Surfaces
  • Parks and Recreation
  • Athletics
  • Aquatics
  • Play

Breadcrumb

  1. Home
  2. Play
  3. School and Education
  4. Learning About Ecological Issues (The Fun Way)

Learning About Ecological Issues (The Fun Way)

School and Education
December 28, 2018
PGP Contributor
By Sally Keys on
  • facebook-f
  • twitter
  • envelope
  • print
1171

Around 97 percent of the world's tigers have disappeared in the last 100 years. These magnificent creatures, (along with other iconic animals like gorillas, giant pandas, and blue whales) might be a thing of the past before long. This is our doing, and our children deserve to be informed about the reality of the world they will inherit from us. Learning through play remains the best approach to educate children while keeping them entertained, and there are endless ways to incorporate this kind of information into something that’s fun and engaging. Here are a couple ideas to start you off with:

Active Story Time

Everyone loves a good story. Invent one about a monkey missing his favorite tree, or a seagull that got its feet caught in a fishing net, or choose a book on the topic if you’re having a hard time thinking of one on your own. Hand out some puppets or dolls and have the children play as the characters. Make sure to be as informative as you can about the causes of the problems in the story and preventative measures that can be taken to avoid them. Alternately, charades is a creative game for “stepping into” the paws, hooves, fins, and flippers of the animals that are suffering from the impact humans have on their homes. Figuring out how mime “polar bear feeling too hot” or “plastic bag in the ocean” are sure to get those cogs turning, and are bound to produce some creative results.

A Trip To The National Park

Learning about nature is best done in nature. Combine a vacation with education at one of the 58 national parks in the United States. If you have a 4th grader in your ranks, you can get free passes for the whole family. You can discuss waste reduction while you pack, maybe let each child pick out a personal reusable water bottle if they don’t have one already. Avoid boredom during the trip by challenging your family to note the changes in the landscape as you drive past, and guess which animals are likely to inhabit different environments.

There is plenty to do upon arrival - you can participate in Junior Ranger Programs or geological scavenger hunts, or make use of the beautiful camping sites - a great opportunity to talk about why there are food and fire policies, and how to navigate if you get lost in the wilderness. Take turns pretending to be different animals coming to visit - the excitement of play will ensure that the knowledge sticks. Stay safe, have fun, and learn as much as you can.

PGP Contributor
Sally Keys
1171
1
min read
A- A+
  • facebook-f
  • twitter
  • envelope
  • print

Subscribe to Play & Playground

Playground

  • Playstructures
  • Inclusion
  • Adventure Playgrounds
  • Fund Raising
  • Playground Safety
  • Playground Construction
  • Maintenance & Inspection
  • Swing Sets
  • Residential
  • Climbing Walls
  • Theme
  • Indoor
  • Recycled
  • Nature Play
  • Nets and Ropes
  • Musical

Surfaces

  • Loose Fill
  • Rubber
  • Artificial Turf
  • Sports Court
  • Surfacing Maintenance

Athletics

  • Sports Equipment
  • Outdoor Exercise
  • Fitness and Exercise
  • Bleachers

Parks and Recreation

  • Parks Administration
  • Landscape
  • Benches
  • Outdoor Tables
  • Trash Receptacles
  • Bike Racks
  • Drinking Fountain
  • Playground Lighting
  • Shelters
  • Shade Structures
  • Restrooms
  • Dog Park
  • Skatepark

Aquatics

  • Spray Parks
  • Surf Parks
  • Water Safety
  • Pool
  • Water Slides

Play

  • Amusement Park
  • School and Education
  • Toys
  • Parenting
  • Bullying
  • Health and Safety
  • Games and Gaming
  • Inflatables
  • Arts and Crafts
Home

Follow Us

Play and playground news and information since 2001

  • instagram
  • facebook-f
  • twitter
  • pinterest
  • linkedin

Company

  • Advertise
  • Submit Business
  • Subscribe

Copyright © 2001 - 2022 Playground Professionals, LLC

Footer menu

  • About
  • Contact
  • Privacy
  • Terms and conditions