Two learners observe the Sun with a solarscope in a grassy field

Outside Activities

A collection of activities designed for use in the outdoors or those that can be easily adapted to use outside. These activities can work well in different outdoor settings including nature centers, summer camps, parks, and playgrounds.

Activities and Programs

A young learner in a grassy field safely observes an image of the Sun being projected on a solarscope using the Exploring the Solar System: Observe the Sun activity.

Exploring the Solar System: Observe the Sun

In this activity, learners safely view the Sun and study features on its face, via a solarscope.
The near side of the Moon, as seen by the cameras aboard NASA's Lunar Reconnaissance Orbiter spacecraft (NASA/GSFC/Arizona State University, 2017)

Exploring the Solar System: Observe the Moon

In this activity, we can look up from Earth and see the Moon with our own eyes. We can observe the Moon in even greater detail by using tools, like binoculars, telescopes, and NASA spacecraft.
Exploring Earth: Bear’s Shadow activity image of a mother and girl holding a flashlight representing the sun

Exploring Earth: Bear’s Shadow

In this activity, learners move a flashlight around an object to make and experiment with shadows, followed by reading a storybook.
A family of three crafts their rockets out of paper, stickers and tape

Exploring the Solar System: Stomp Rockets

In this activity, learners will build and launch their own air rockets to help imagine the challenges and triumphs of engineering spacecraft.
A group of learners observing a cloud that was made in a plastic bottle

Exploring Earth: Investigating Clouds

In this activity, learners create a cloud in a bottle and explore it with laser light.
Family using thermometer to take temperature of their arm for the Heat Map activity

Exploring Earth: Temperature Mapping

In this activity, learners model the way Landsat satellites use a thermal infrared sensor to measure land surface temperatures.
Photo of person pouring water on soil and sand to demonstrate erosion

Exploring Earth: Land Cover

In this activity, learners model some of the ways natural processes affect Earth’s landscape through erosion and sediment pollution.
Learner investigates the crater made in the sand after dropping a weight into the sand box

Exploring the Solar System: Craters

In this activity, learners drop objects of various sizes and shapes into a tub full of sand and other materials, to simulate the formation of a meteorite crater.
A facilitator loads a small plastic tube with fizzing solution that will pop the cap off in front of an audience of learners

Rocket Reactions

In this activity, learners experiment with finding the best mix of "rocket fuel" by making miniature baking soda and vinegar "rockets" that shoot plastic caps into the air.
Facilitator and young learner squeeze colored water into a dish

Exploring Science Practices: Early Explorations

In this activity, learners are given an opportunity to practice scientific ways of thinking that are developmentally appropriate for early learners.
Big Sun Small Moon activity with children explores the concept of apparent size and allows visitors to experience this phenomena using familiar objects - a tennis ball and a beach ball

Exploring the Solar System: Big Sun, Small Moon

In this activity, learners explore the concept of the apparent size by looking at models of celestial bodies at different distances.

Group Activities that Can be Played Outside

Ready Set Self Assemble children holding hands

Exploring Fabrication - Self-Assembly

In this activity, learners will play several full-body interactive games to model the process of self-assembly in nature and nanotechnology.
Ready Set Self Assemble children holding hands

Ready, Set, Self-Assemble

In this activity, learners explore the concept of self-assembly through three full-body, interactive games.
Visitors line up by size in Get in Order - large size powers of 10 cards featuring a pea plant card

Exploring Size - Powers of Ten Game

In this activity, learners compete to organize their hand of cards into lists of objects from largest to smallest.
Nano Around The World activity components including signs, activity materials and guides.

Nano Around the World card game

In this activity, learners are asked to assume the role of their character to find nanotechnologies that might benefit them and reflect on the potential uses of nanotechnology across the globe.
An overhead shot of a learner holding and comparing different theoretical technologies summarized on sheets of paper

Exploring Nano & Society - You Decide!

In this activity, learners sort and prioritize cards with new nanotechnologies according to their own values and the values of others.

Astronomical Events

An image of a lunar eclipse

Lunar Eclipses

Check out the upcoming total and partial lunar eclipse events in the United States. During a lunar eclipse, Earth comes between the Sun and the Moon, blocking the sunlight falling on the Moon. Earth's shadow covers all or part of the lunar surface.
2017 solar eclipse square format

Solar Eclipses

A compilation of solar eclipse resources including resources for the October 14, 2023 annular solar eclipse and the total solar on April 8, 2024.
Solar Eclipse ativity with young museum visitors at 2017 Science Museum of Minnesota Earth Day event

Exploring the Solar System: Solar Eclipse

In this activity, learners investigate the positions of the Sun, Earth, and Moon to create shadows and learn about solar eclipses.
Asteroid Bennu mosaic image taken by OSIRIS-REx spacecraft in 2018 Image Credit to NASA, Goddard, and University of Arizona

Asteroids, Comets, Meteors, and Meteorites

A compilation of educational materials about asteroids, comets, meteors, and meteorites including resources for Asteroid Day, meteor showers, and links to NASA missions such as Lucy, OSIRIS-Rex, Psyche, Double Asteroid Redirection Test (DART), and Near-Earth Asteroid Scout (NEA Scout).
Apollo 11 lander

Moon

A compilation of resources for engaging the public in the Moon, the Moon Landing 50th Anniversary, the Apollo missions, and the Artemis missions.

Citizen Science

Citizen scientist taking a precipitation measurement on a CoCoRaHS rain gauge

Citizen and Community Science

A compilation of citizen science and community science resources; these community projects enable people from all walks of life to participate in and advance scientific research.

Nature Journals and Outdoor Observations

Working with STEM Experts Guide cover including an image of expert puring a liquid and using a strainer with a girl and her family at a museum public event

Finding STEM Experts

More Resources