Outdoor Explorations for Early Learners blog
Learn fun ways to incorporate nature into your early childhood classroom.  Activities build on children’s sense of wonder and invites them to explore nature and the world around them.

Helpful Websites
Children and Nature Network
Dimensions Educational Research Foundation
Hooked on Nature
KinderNature: A Resource for Childhood Education
Kiz Club: Learning Resources for Kids
Nature Rocks
National Wildlife Federation’s “Green Hour”
Reconnecting the Worlds Children to Nature

Correlations to Iowa Standards
Alignment to Iowa Early Learning Standards
Alignment to Iowa Early Learning Standards
Alignment to Iowa Quality Preschool Program Standards
Alignment to Iowa Quality Preschool Program Standards
Grades K-2 Alignment to Iowa Core Curriculum
Grades K-2 Alignment to Iowa Core Curriculum

Sample Inquiry Based Outdoor Exploration  lesson plans
Adopt a Tree
Ants on Parade
Hiding in Plain Sight
Looking at Leaves
Seed Need
Sounds Around
The Shape of Things
Tracks
Trees as Habitats
We All Need Trees
Wildlife Water Safari
Winter Tree 
 
Additional Resources
Benefits & Considerations for Taking Kids Outside
Environmental Web Sites - Grades Prek-3
Developing an Outdoor Classroom
Fun Natured Based Games
Iowa County Conservation Board Directory
Kids Dig Dirt Green Paper
Reconnecting the Worlds Children to Nature
Resources for Reconnecting Children and Nature