Four fun summer outdoor lessons for kids

It’s mid-summer, and the kids are getting restless. As summer hits its stride, the TurfMutt Foundation, a leader in environmental education and stewardship for more than 15 years, reminds families that local parks, backyards, and other community green spaces offer an ideal outdoor classroom for hands-on learning—something that doesn’t have to stop while school is out. TurfMutt’s free K-8 curriculum provides fun and engaging ways for kids to keep their minds active while they spend time outdoors.
“TurfMutt’s free educational resources spark children’s natural curiosity about the world around them,” said Kris Kiser, President and CEO of the TurfMutt Foundation. “With TurfMutt’s help, a simple trip to the neighborhood park can become an exciting journey of discovery, teaching kids how our living landscapes work and how important they are to our communities.”

Four free TurfMutt Foundation lesson plans to keep kids learning this summer:
• Discover the wonders of earth
Lessons such as “What’s in One Square Foot of Earth? A Lot!” teach children to observe the hidden ecosystems thriving in a small patch of grass or garden bed. Backyards and local parks provide easily accessible environments for these fascinating, ground-level discoveries. Free guide: turfmutt.com/education/lesson-plans/lesson-3-what-s-in-one-square-foot-of-earth-a-lot-grades-k-2

• Investigate how nature works
TurfMutt sparks scientific curiosity with hands-on experiments through lessons like “Do Trees Breathe? Let’s Do an Experiment to Find Out!” By encouraging children to spot plant life, insects, and natural cycles, TurfMutt turns a casual stroll into a living science laboratory. Free guide: turfmutt.com/education/lesson-plans/lesson-1-do-trees-breathe-let-s-do-an-experiment-to-find-out-grades-k-2
• Understand nature’s superpowers
Lessons such as “Nature’s Flood Stoppers: Trees” illustrate the environmental superpowers of the landscapes in our parks and backyards and showcase nature as a powerful ally for community well-being. These green spaces help manage stormwater, clean the air, and provide critical habitats. Free guide: turfmutt.com/education/lesson-plans/lesson-5-nature-s-flood-stoppers-trees-grades-6-8
• Become an environmental detective
Through activities such as “Stormwater Sleuthing,” children can learn about water flow, pollution prevention, and how to keep their favorite parks and yards clean and healthy. Free guide: turfmutt.com/education/lesson-plans/turfmutt-curriculum-lesson-8-stormwater-sleuthing-grades-6-8
Beyond specific lessons, TurfMutt encourages active interaction with and care for our green spaces and encourages learning through direct engagement with the natural world.
TurfMutt’s youth curriculum is free and available for download from their site at: turfmutt.com.
TurfMutt, which celebrated its 15th anniversary in 2024, was created by the Outdoor Power Equipment Institute’s (OPEI) TurfMutt Foundation and has reached more than 70 million children, educators, and families since 2009. Championed by Foundation spokesdog, Mulligan the TurfMutt, and through education partners such as Scholastic, Discovery and Weekly Reader, TurfMutt has taught students and teachers how to “save the planet, one yard at a time.”