Activities

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Activities for Families

The Chesapeake Bay Foundation provides many opportunities for parents and children to learn about the Bay together.  The options range from organized volunteer events across the watershed to self-initiated project guides that take you step-by-step through your own restoration project.  Whether you live in New York state, VA Beach, or anywhere in between, you and your children can take an active role in Saving the Bay.  These family opportunities are crucial not only for the Bay's future, but for the development and the future of our children.  Get involved today!

Tips to stimulate your child's interest in the environment
(Taken from Leave No Child Inside of Greater Cincinnati)

• Give children a place on the porch, deck or in the bedroom where they can display nature treasures that they find and want to keep. Provide simple tools to aid discovery.  Kids love tools!  Include a bug box, trowel, magnifier, etc.

• When you take children to parks and other natural areas, allow them to explore. Let them decide which trails to take. Stay nearby for safety, but don't interfere or help unless asked.

• Take a few leaves from different trees while the children are not looking. Give them the leaves and ask them to find which trees they came from.

• If a child asks or remarks about a landmark or natural feature you drive past often, find out more about it and go for a visit.

• If you have an appropriate area, let older children build a campfire in the backyard. Set safety rules, then stay away while they and their friends discuss "hot" topics. Check for safety by looking out the window or wandering out to ask if they need more snacks.

• Put out bird feeders that can be seen easily from windows. Let children help feed the birds. Keep a bird book by the window to help them identify what they see.

• Make up challenges for children to do outside, similar to the Survivor television show. This is a guaranteed kid pleaser, especially if there is a reward (a "gift" of time with Mom or Dad, or perhaps a night off from helping with the dishes).

Listed here are a few family-oriented educational experiences worth pursuing.

Activities for Kids Age 0-10
The online events calendar from The Bay Journal for a list of elementary-age events.

Activities for Kids Age 10-18
The Chesapeake Bay Foundation offers volunteer events year round and encourages families to participate in events together.

Activities for Everyone

Calculate your ecological footprint

Paddle a Water Trail

Visit a museum

Maryland
   Calvert Marine Museum
   Chesapeake Bay Maritime Museum
   Chesapeake Children’s Museum
   Susquehanna River Museum of Havre de Grace
   Upper Bay Museum
      Walnut Street
      North East Town Park
      410-287-2675
      Email: upperbaymuseum@dol.net

Virginia
   The Mariners’ Museum
   Reedville Fishermen’s Museum
   Virginia Marine Science Museum
   Nauticus

Delaware
   Overfalls Maritime Museum Foundation

Washington, D.C.
   Smithsonian National Zoological Park

Pennsylvania
   State Museum of Pennsylvania
   

Find other local museums and attractions at The Chesapeake Bay Gateway Network