I don’t take a field guide on hikes; I use bad weather days to improve my nature knowledge.
After a storm, gather some torn branches and twigs - 8 to 12 inches long and turn study into a game.
Materials:
- Twig or thin branch from several local trees
- Board - make or salvage an old game board
- Knife
- Adhesive to mount some twigs to the board
Preparation:
- Cut each twig in half
- Mount one half on the game board
- Keep the other half of each stick loose
- Adhesive to mount some twigs to the board
The Game:
- The object of the game is to match each twig to its other half
- Lay the game board with mounted twigs flat
- Scatter the loose twigs like you would Pick-Up Sticks
- If playing alone, time yourself; if playing with others, the first one to correctly match all twigs wins
You can make all kinds of variations on this game of matching natural
objects; study leaves, flowers, seeds, nuts or fruit in season.