Whether we’re planning a vacation or just need a break from screen time, there is a lot of benefit to slowing down and tuning in to nature and ourselves. So we’ve created a printable Garden Discovery Journal to take on your next adventure with your little learners—whether that means a break on the balcony, a trip to the trail, a picnic in the park or an adventure at a public garden.

Dogs’ incredible sense of smell is 10,000 times better than ours, making them great at detecting all sorts of things, including explosives, diseases, and even insects that can be harmful to forests! We asked Cody, a Canine Handler for the Coconut Rhinoceros Beetle (CRB) Response, and Bravo (a four-legged plant hero) to tell us a little bit about how they detect these beetles.

Whether worked on at home, a nearby park, or as an activity at your favorite public garden, the Tree Symmetry Journal prompts observation, teaches vocabulary, and is filled with fun tree facts. Before you head out, we’ve rounded up some more information and resources to make learning about symmetry in nature an easy, repeatable adventure.

If you find yourself inspired by the colors and shapes of nature, this activity is the perfect way to spend time observing and celebrating that beauty! With our free printable Leaf-Pounding Journal, learners of any age will enjoy gathering plant specimens, experimenting with “plants as paints,” and getting kinesthetic to leave their artistic mark.