NNS Unplugged Play PSAs
1. Build a Bug Hotel
This Unplugged Play PSA is brought to you by NOLA Nature School.
For a fun, hands-on ecology project: Build a Bug Hotel by stacking small logs, twigs, and leaves to create a cozy shelter for insects. Observing who checks in helps us learn about local wildlife and their habitats. Remember: No matter our age, Unplugged Play grows us from the inside out!
For more information about Nurturing in Nature, please visit NOLANatureSchool.com.
Source: National Wildlife Federation, "How to Build a Bug Hotel," available at nwf.org.
2. Watch the Clouds Tell Stories
This Unplugged Play PSA is brought to you by NOLA Nature School.
For a relaxing creativity boost: Spend time lying on the grass and imagining shapes, animals, or entire stories in the clouds. This calming activity sparks the imagination while connecting us to nature’s rhythms. Remember: No matter our age, Unplugged Play grows us from the inside out!
For more information about Nurturing in Nature, please visit NOLANatureSchool.com.
Source: American Psychological Association, "Nature and Creativity," available at apa.org.
3. Make Leaf Boats and Race Them
This Unplugged Play PSA is brought to you by NOLA Nature School.
For a playful introduction to water flow: Find sturdy leaves and float them down a stream or puddle to see whose "boat" wins the race. Experiment with different leaf shapes and sizes to learn about buoyancy and currents. Remember: No matter our age, Unplugged Play grows us from the inside out!
For more information about Nurturing in Nature, please visit NOLANatureSchool.com.
Source: U.S. Geological Survey, "Introduction to Hydrology," available at usgs.gov.
4. Host a Bug Olympics
This Unplugged Play PSA is brought to you by NOLA Nature School.
For a lively exploration of insect behavior: Host a Bug Olympics by observing which bugs move fastest, jump highest, or carry the heaviest loads. It’s a playful way to discover the incredible abilities of local insects. Remember: No matter our age, Unplugged Play grows us from the inside out!
For more information about Nurturing in Nature, please visit NOLANatureSchool.com.
Source: National Park Service, "Bug Biodiversity and Behavior," available at nps.gov.
5. Create a Sound Map
This Unplugged Play PSA is brought to you by NOLA Nature School.
For a mindfulness activity that engages the senses: Sit quietly and listen to the sounds around you—chirping birds, rustling leaves, or buzzing insects. Mark their locations on paper to create a "sound map" of your surroundings. Remember: No matter our age, Unplugged Play grows us from the inside out!
For more information about Nurturing in Nature, please visit NOLANatureSchool.com.
Source: Cornell Lab of Ornithology, "Listening to Nature," available at birds.cornell.edu.
6. Dance with the Wind
This Unplugged Play PSA is brought to you by NOLA Nature School.
For a movement-based creativity exercise: Take a scarf or lightweight fabric outside and let the wind guide your movement. It’s a playful way to connect with nature while improving coordination and spontaneity. Remember: No matter our age, Unplugged Play grows us from the inside out!
For more information about Nurturing in Nature, please visit NOLANatureSchool.com.
Source: National Center for Physical Activity and Disability, "The Benefits of Outdoor Play," available at nchpad.org.
7. Collect Seeds for a Mini Seed Bank
This Unplugged Play PSA is brought to you by NOLA Nature School.
For an easy introduction to plant biology: Gather seeds from flowers, grasses, or trees and store them in labeled jars. Identifying and organizing seeds fosters patience, observation, and curiosity about plant life. Remember: No matter our age, Unplugged Play grows us from the inside out!
For more information about Nurturing in Nature, please visit NOLANatureSchool.com.
Source: Royal Horticultural Society, "Seed Collecting for Beginners," available at rhs.org.uk.
8. Make a Rock Puzzle
This Unplugged Play PSA is brought to you by NOLA Nature School.
For a fun and tactile problem-solving challenge: Gather rocks of different sizes and arrange them into a design or shape. Then, take them apart and challenge someone else to put them back together. This activity strengthens focus and teamwork. Remember: No matter our age, Unplugged Play grows us from the inside out!
For more information about Nurturing in Nature, please visit NOLANatureSchool.com.
Source: University of Colorado Boulder, "Learning Through Hands-On Play," available at colorado.edu.
9. Craft a Mini Boat
This Unplugged Play PSA is brought to you by NOLA Nature School.
For a creative engineering project: Use bark, leaves, and twigs to create a tiny boat and set it sailing on a puddle, stream, or pond. Experiment with designs to learn what floats best. Remember: No matter our age, Unplugged Play grows us from the inside out!
For more information about Nurturing in Nature, please visit NOLANatureSchool.com.
Source: Educational science projects, adapted from National STEM Education Center.
10. Map Your Favorite Tree
This Unplugged Play PSA is brought to you by NOLA Nature School.
For an engaging geography activity: Choose a tree you love and create a detailed map of the area around it. Include roots, nearby plants, and anything special about its surroundings. Mapping builds spatial awareness and connection to nature. Remember: No matter our age, Unplugged Play grows us from the inside out!
For more information about Nurturing in Nature, please visit NOLANatureSchool.com.
Source: Arbor Day Foundation, "Learning Activities for Tree Enthusiasts," available at arborday.org.
11. Explore Tree Rings
This Unplugged Play PSA is brought to you by NOLA Nature School.
For a fascinating look at nature’s timeline: If you come across a tree stump, take a closer look at its rings to see the story of its life. Count the rings to learn its age and imagine the events it might have witnessed. Remember: No matter our age, Unplugged Play grows us from the inside out!
For more information about Nurturing in Nature, please visit NOLANatureSchool.com.
Source: Forestry education resources, available at forestry.gov.uk.
12. Make a Rock Stack Tower
This Unplugged Play PSA is brought to you by NOLA Nature School.
For a tactile and calming outdoor challenge: Balance stones of different shapes and sizes to create your own tower. This activity improves focus, patience, and an appreciation for natural textures. Remember: No matter our age, Unplugged Play grows us from the inside out!
For more information about Nurturing in Nature, please visit NOLANatureSchool.com.
Source: Open-source mindfulness resources, available at mindful.org.
13. Hunt for Tiny Ecosystems
This Unplugged Play PSA is brought to you by NOLA Nature School.
For an up-close look at biodiversity: Flip over a log or peek under leaves to discover insects, fungi, and other small wonders of the forest floor. Exploring these mini-worlds ignites curiosity about how life works together. Remember: No matter our age, Unplugged Play grows us from the inside out!
For more information about Nurturing in Nature, please visit NOLANatureSchool.com.
Source: Smithsonian Institution, "Insects and Ecosystems," available at si.edu.
14. Practice Shadow Tag
This Unplugged Play PSA is brought to you by NOLA Nature School.
For a fun, sunlit activity: Use your shadow to “tag” others in a playful game of chase. This active game encourages movement and mindfulness of how the sun affects shadows. Remember: No matter our age, Unplugged Play grows us from the inside out!
For more information about Nurturing in Nature, please visit NOLANatureSchool.com.
Source: Open-source outdoor activity guides, adapted from projectwild.org.
15. Create Nature Rubbings
This Unplugged Play PSA is brought to you by NOLA Nature School.
For a creative way to explore textures: Place paper over leaves, tree bark, or stones, and rub with crayons to capture their unique patterns. This hands-on activity encourages curiosity and fine motor skills. Remember: No matter our age, Unplugged Play grows us from the inside out!
For more information about Nurturing in Nature, please visit NOLANatureSchool.com.
Source: Open-access art and nature resources, available at kidsgardening.org.
16. Build a Fairy House
This Unplugged Play PSA is brought to you by NOLA Nature School.
For a magical blend of play and creativity: Use sticks, leaves, and stones to create tiny homes for imaginary woodland creatures. This activity sparks imagination and connects us to nature in whimsical ways. Remember: No matter our age, Unplugged Play grows us from the inside out!
For more information about Nurturing in Nature, please visit NOLANatureSchool.com.
Source: Open-source nature craft projects, adapted from National Trust.
17. Listen to Nature’s Symphony
This Unplugged Play PSA is brought to you by NOLA Nature School.
For a mindful connection to the outdoors: Spend a few quiet minutes listening to the chirps, buzzes, and hums of insects or the rustling of leaves. It’s a relaxing way to tune into nature and practice mindfulness. Remember: No matter our age, Unplugged Play grows us from the inside out!
For more information about Nurturing in Nature, please visit NOLANatureSchool.com.
Source: Cornell Lab of Ornithology, "Listening to Nature," available at birds.cornell.edu.
18. Start a Feather Collection
This Unplugged Play PSA is brought to you by NOLA Nature School.
For a lighthearted biology activity: Safely collect feathers you find on walks and try to identify the birds they came from. Learning about different species builds appreciation for local wildlife. Remember: No matter our age, Unplugged Play grows us from the inside out!
For more information about Nurturing in Nature, please visit NOLANatureSchool.com.
Source: Public domain avian biology guides, available at allaboutbirds.org.
19. Race Leaves in a Stream
This Unplugged Play PSA is brought to you by NOLA Nature School.
For a fun lesson in water flow: Pick a few leaves, place them in a stream, and watch them race to the finish line. This playful activity teaches about water movement and creates a fun connection to nature. Remember: No matter our age, Unplugged Play grows us from the inside out!
For more information about Nurturing in Nature, please visit NOLANatureSchool.com.
Source: Open-source activity guides from National Geographic Kids.
20. Create a Rain Gauge
This Unplugged Play PSA is brought to you by NOLA Nature School.
For an easy introduction to weather science: Use a jar or cup to measure how much rain falls during a storm. This simple project introduces basic weather science while keeping you connected to nature’s rhythms. Remember: No matter our age, Unplugged Play grows us from the inside out!
For more information about Nurturing in Nature, please visit NOLANatureSchool.com.
Source: Open-access educational resources, available at sciencing.com.