By Gerald D. Schmidt Roberts Rinehart Publishers, 2000
ISBN: 091179784X Ages: 8 and up
A wonderful reference guide for fishing for the beginner. Covers safety, fish, tackle, how to find great fishing holes, even how to cook your catch. Includes pictures of people of various skill levels and genders.
Exploring the Night Sky: The Equinox Astronomy Guide for Beginners
Terence Dickinson Camden House Publishing, 1987
ISBN: 0920656668 Ages: 10 and up
Take a tour of the night sky. Beautiful illustrations and photographs to guide the beginning astronomer to see the beauty of what lies beyond the earth. So grab your telescope and get watching.
Tiger's Tips: Beginner's Golf for Kids Ages 6-106
Don Emerick Quality Sports Publications, 1998
ISBN: 188575812X Ages: 8-12 (6-106?)
A beginner's guide to golf for kids. Covers the game, the rules, the etiquette, safety, and getting started.
Backyard
Donald Silver The McGraw Hill Companies, 1997
ISBN: 007057930X Ages: 6-9
Take a tour of the tiniest spaces of a backyard. Find our how bugs tunnel. See how the simplest of tools can help you discover a world that is usually unknown to the average human. Explore what your backyard has to share.
A Backyard Vegetable Garden for Kids
Amie Leavitt Mitchell Lane Publishers Inc., 2008
ISBN: 1584156341 Ages: 8 and up
Gardening is not just for adults. This book will guide your child through the planning, designing, growing, and harvesting of their own vegetable garden.
Backyard Bugs
Richard Ferguson Dorling Kindersley Publishing Inc., 2007
ISBN: 0756625386 Ages: 5-8
Photographic pop-ups make this a unique book to enjoy with your child. Check out this unusual way to see your buggy world.
Old Fashioned Children's Games: Over 200 Outdoors, Car Trip, Song, Card and Party Activities
The olden days are back again with this huge collection of games that we thought were gone for good. Learn all the rules, the rhymes, the movements along with stories, songs, and activities to keep your kids moving.
Nature's Playground: Activities, Crafts, and Games to Encourage Children to Get Outdoors
Fiona Danks Chicago Review Press, Inc., 2007
ISBN: 1556527233 Ages: 6 and up
Bring your imagination with you as you adventure into fun. Build your own toys to fit each season, create your own adventures, and learn to do all of this safely. Includes a special section on playing after dark.
Safe at Play: Outdoor Safety
Smart Kids Publishing Candy Cane Press, 2005
ISBN: 0824965930 Ages: 2-5
This board book will help you to talk about safe play with your pre-schooler.
Splashing by the Shore: Beach Activities for Kids
Lisa Mullarkey Gibbs Smith, 2007
ISBN: 158685884X Ages: 6-8
If you live by the beach, are planning a vacation to one soon, or just want to pretend like you are at the beach, you will have fun learning how to be safe and have a great time in the sand. Crafts, games, facts, activities and party ideas will help you to have a great time near the shore.
I Love Dirt!: 52 Projects to Help You and Your Kids Discover the Wonders of Nature
Various Authors Shambhala Publications, 2008
ISBN: 1590305353 Ages: 8 and up
No matter where you live, there is a patch of dirt near you. There is magic in dirt that can be released using your five senses. Come and explore what can be found in the dirt near you. Includes a forward by Richard Louv.
Taking Back Childhood: Helping Your Kids Thrive in a Fast-Paced, Media-Saturated, Violence-filled World
Nancy Carlsson-Paige Penguin, 2008
ISBN: 1594630437 Ages: Adult
A parenting guide to help instill a life for children that is full of creative, loving, and safe activities. Guidelines on discipline, television, and other current issues.
Last Child In The Woods: Saving Our Children From Nature-Deficit Disorder
Richard Louv Algonquin Books of Chapel Hill, 2005
ISBN: 1565123913 Ages: Adult
This is the book that started it all. With kids increasingly overweight, addicted to video games, and becoming couch potatoes, this book defines what children were meant to be and do. It's time for kids to head outdoors for more fresh air, more adventure, more exercise, and more fun.
Nature Safari: Imaginative Things for You & Your Children to Do Outdoors
Geoff Sample HarperCollins, 2003
ISBN: 0007138393 Ages: 8 and up
This book will inspire your child into learning about nature first-hand. They can explore every type of habitat in your neighborhood and learn facts, crafts, activities and vocabulary that will enhance their study of these natural neighborhoods.
Introducing Your Kids To The Outdoors
Christopher Van Tilburg Stackpole Books., 2005
ISBN: 0811731936 Ages: Adult
A complete guide to all that the outdoors has to offer you and your family. The book gives you planning guides and suggestions for outdoor adventures including day trips, camping, water sports and the absolutely “must-do” vacations for the best childhood imaginable.
Go Outside: Over 130 Activities for Outdoor Adventures
Nancy Blakely Ten Speed Press, 2002
ISBN: 1582460647 Ages: 8-12
This book is best used when adults and kids enjoy it together. Some adult supervision is suggested for many of the cooking and craft activities. This is a great resource organized by season. Complete instructions, lists of materials, and safety suggestions are included.
Read More About It!
There are a lot of great books about things to do outside. Check out this book for a lot of fun ideas:
CampOut!: The Ultimate Kids' Guide by Lynn Brunelle
If you want to read about kids outdoors talk to your school librarian for suggestions or check out some of these books and magazines:
By Jean Craighead George:
My Side of the Mountain and its sequels
Julie of the Wolves
Who Killed Cock Robin?
There's an Owl in the Shower
And don't ignore these classics:
Rascal by Sterling North
The Yearling by Marjorie K. Rawlings
Hoot by Carl Hiaasen
Ranger Rick
National Geographic Kids
Finally, here are some books that explore how past generations lived in the outdoors. Read them aloud to your kids.
Bob Artley's Book of Farm Chores: As Remembered by a Former Kid
Bob Artly Voyageur Press, Inc., 2002
ISBN: 0896584348
Bob tells the story of his life as a boy on a farm. Check out his series of books on this topic including Christmas on a farm, going to school, and yes, more chores.
When I Was Young in The Mountains
Cynthia Rylant Puffin, 1993
ISBN: 0140548750
A charming story of children living a rural lifestyle. Enjoy the things that entertained children when life was simpler.
Owl Moon
Jane Yolen Philomel, 1987
ISBN: 0399214577
Jane's father takes her “owling” — something she had to wait to do until she was old enough. This magical adventure is described in such detail that it feels like you are really there. Fabulous illustrations complement this award-winning story.