Kids
Page
Bring Nature Close brings you a Kids Page. Every month Kids are introduced to an animal, bird, reptile, amphibian or insect. Plus a great project to Bring Nature Close to you and your children!
Check out our kids page every month and enjoy bringing nature close to you!
Have Fun!
Have Fun!
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Earwig
-Foricula auricularia
This common insect is seen outside and sometimes inside. Earwigs are brownish red to brownish black. Their undersides are often lighter, to almost translucent.
They are small 3/8ths to 5/8ths of an inch long.
If inspected closely, the legs resemble grasshopper leg structure. On the back of the insect is a semi hard "shell". The head has big eyes and bead like antenna. Earwigs are known for their pincher looking cerci at the end of their abdomen. These are sometimes used to defend themselves and as "wing folders"( even though many earwigs don't have wings).
Earwigs like dark places and 'hide' during the day under boards or plant material. They come out at night to feed on leaves, ground litter, fruit, garbage, mites and insect larvae.
They are small 3/8ths to 5/8ths of an inch long.
If inspected closely, the legs resemble grasshopper leg structure. On the back of the insect is a semi hard "shell". The head has big eyes and bead like antenna. Earwigs are known for their pincher looking cerci at the end of their abdomen. These are sometimes used to defend themselves and as "wing folders"( even though many earwigs don't have wings).
Earwigs like dark places and 'hide' during the day under boards or plant material. They come out at night to feed on leaves, ground litter, fruit, garbage, mites and insect larvae.
They lay eggs in a small depression in the ground under logs, boards or leaf material. Earwigs emit an unpleasant odor when threatened or caught. They rarely "pinch" people and are scarier to look at, than to touch.
Make some Black Walnut Ink
A good long lasting ink can be made from the hulls of the Black Walnut Tree. Each year in the fall walnut trees drop their seed. These are green when they come off the trees, but turn black in a few weeks. You can gather them green and put them out to ripen in your garage or back yard. Or you can wait and gather them when they turn dark brown. You can peal off the hull and inside is the shell of the walnut. Inside that is the nut. These nuts are delicious! When handling walnuts wear old clothes or work clothes as the hulls stain clothes and fingers.
For this project you will only need 20 or less. This depends on the size of your jar. But you can bring home more and eat them. Only eat the inside nut. Have an adult help you.
For this project you will only need 20 or less. This depends on the size of your jar. But you can bring home more and eat them. Only eat the inside nut. Have an adult help you.
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Strain the liquid and add 2 Tablespoons of vinegar or glycerin, stir well. With a funnel pour into small jars with lids or use corks. Use newspaper or over the sink as the liquid will stain clothing, counter tops and fingers.
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Use a drinking straw for a fountian pen. Cut one end at this angle. Make a small cut in the center of the writing tip.
If you have a large feather you can do the same thing.
Practice with the pen until you are very good at it. Show and tell at school or write a paper for school about your project.
If you have a large feather you can do the same thing.
Practice with the pen until you are very good at it. Show and tell at school or write a paper for school about your project.