Nat Geo’s New Summer Series Wants to Empower Kids to Protect the Planet
Summer break is around the corner, and National Geographic Kids has launched a new series to inspire families to get outside and explore the biodiversity of microhabitats that make up good ‘ole Mother Earth. Nat Geo recently launched Planet Possible Family Challenge, an eight-week series that will consist of DIY craft projects, prompts and activities, and kid-friendly tips that aim to empower children to better understand — and learn to protect! — our planet.
Offering parents a fun (and educational) solution to keeping their children entertained and inspired as summer vacation kicks in and offers a reprieve from school, Nat Geo’s Planet Possible Family Challenge will run until the end of July. A new challenge will be published every Thursday, and each will have three recurrent components:
- Make It: step-by-step DIY projects that help the children explore a microhabitat
- Try It: prompts and activities that encourage the children to learn more about biodiversity, using their Make It crafts
- Save It: tips for kids on how to protect the microhabitat
Challenge 1 is already live on Nat Geo and centers on exploring the ground with a magnifier. Using some cardboard, a convex lens, hot glue, and markers, crayons, and stickers for a decorative flare, the challenge teaches children how to DIY a magnifier to observe plants and bugs that reside in the ground. Prompt questions and activities include, “What do you see that’s surprising?” and “Have children sketch their observations or write a poem or short story about the newly explored microhabitat.”
Other activities that coincide with Challenge 1 include tips for kids on how to take wildlife photographs like a Nat Geo pro, as well as how to observe cicadas.
The Planet Possible Family Challenge is part of Nat Geo’s Planet Possible initiative, a series of stories and activities that help people better understand — and care for — our planet. Visit National Geographic’s Planet Possible Family Challenge every Thursday until the end of July for new challenges.