Introduction
40+ games and activities in this toolkit by Youth and Environment Europe (YEE) to inspire and connect kids and people with nature.
The activities described in toolkit enables children:
- to see the wholeness in nature,
- to see the role and importance of every being, big or small,
- to feel that they are a part of the big web of nature,
- to gain more awareness of nature, to have more information about it and to learn to respect it,
- to learn how to live in harmony with nature,
- to realize their responsibility within this whole.
We believe that children learn best through games. We also believe that being in closer contact with nature is the best method to reach our aims. In many cases, a leader is just a facilitator of the experience in nature.
About Resource
The booklet “Games for Nature. Environmental education through the eyes of young people” is a final outcome of the Youth Exchange “Learning from each other – games from environmental education” which took place during seven days in September 2010 in the Polish mountains. It involved 5 organisations from various European countries, all of which work in the field of youth and environmental work, especially environmental education.
Contents
- Introduction
- Environmental Education
TOUCHING NATURE
- Touch and Discover
- Meet a Tree
- Blind Walk
- Nature Touch
- Hug a Tree
OBSERVING NATURE
- Rainbow
- Map of the Surroundings
- Natural Patterns
- Ecosystems
- Picture of 1 m2
- Blind Camp
- Nature Photographs
- Hidden Report
- Wilderness Trail
- Barefoot Walk
LISTENING NATURE
- Sounds of Nature
- Sound Map
SMELLING NATURE
- Forest Cocktails
IMAGINATION
- Building a Tree
- Being a Part of Nature
- Tree Imaginary
- Environment Creation
CREATIVE GAMES
- Tree Spirit
- Natural Orchestra
- The Story of Trash
- Land Art
NATURE SCIENCE
- Animal Clue Game
- Nature Bingo
- Small Researchers
- Food Web Game
- What Else Is There?
- Guess What
- The Bat and the Moth
- Animal Species
- Animals, Animals!
- Green Race
- Round Talk
- Match the Correct Ones
PRACTICAL KNOWLEDGE
- The Tree Species Game
- Examining the Forest Ground
OTHER
- Treasure Hunting
- Getting Acquainted
- Recommended Reading
Resource Excerpts
Access Resource
Games for Nature: Environmental Education through the Eyes of Young People (PDF)
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About the Author
This publication was created by Youth and Environment Europe. Youth and Environment Europe (YEE) is the largest independent European network of environmental youth organisations. YEE unites 42 member organisations coming from 25 countries. Our mission is to unite environmental youth non profit organisations in Europe. YEE goal is to mitigate the climate crisis by:
- Raising awareness and building capacity among youth on the climate crisis.
- Enhancing international cooperation and knowledge-sharing among our members.
- Strengthening the participation of youth in environmental and climate decision-making processes.
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- Youth and Environment Europe YEE