WNY Family Magazine February 2019 | Page 11

The Moon Seems to Change by Franklyn M. Branley — Learn more about why the moon changes size and shape. A Child’s Introduction to the Night Sky by Michael Driscoll — Learn about stargazing, including the stories behind the con- stellations and how to find things in the night sky. Animals in Winter STEAM Bundle up and take a winter walk in the woods. Slow down and keep your eyes peeled for signs of animal life. Some things you might find:  Footprints in snow or mud Now Serving Food Bounce Houses OPEN Slides PRESIDENT’S DAY 10am-5pm Buy One, Get One 4401 Bryant & Stratton Way Clarence (off Main St. near Transit) www.LeapsNBounce.com 1/2 OFF Regular Admission Expires 3/31/19  Scat  Holes in the snow from burrowing animals  Animal homes (beaver lodges, squirrel nests in trees)  Packed areas in the snow where animals have slept  Animals themselves Ask questions like: What do ani- mals need for the winter? Where do they find the things they need? Which animals do we see signs of? Where are other animals? Talk about what kids know and have observed already. For ex- ample they may have seen geese migrating or learned about butterfly migration in school. Use the Read About It books below, field guides, or the Internet to explore how particular animals cope in the winter. k Winter Bre 0 a 19 2 ROCKS! February 18 – 22, 2019 Monday - Friday OPEN at 11am • Fun for all ages • Controlled indoor climbing • Friendly instructors • No experience needed 1333 Strad Avenue • North Tonawanda 695-1248 • www.niagaraclimbingcenter.com Create a model of an animal winter habitat. Use a shoe box or other small box, clay, construction paper, paint, twigs or other objects gathered from nature, and anything else you need to show how a particular animal spends the winter. Read about it: Owl Moon by Jane Yolen — Get inspired to go owling (or for another night walk) yourself. Over and Under the Snow by Kate Messner — Learn about animals including squirrels, bears, frogs, and more, and where they live over and under the snow. Someone Walks By by Polly Carson-Voiles — Explore the different ways animals thrive in the winter. There is so much happening in the natural world in every season. These STEAM activities are just a starting point for your winter exploration. What will you and your family ob- serve, notice, wonder, and create next? Sara Barry is a writer based in Massachusetts. She loves ex- ploring the changes in her environment throughout the seasons. February 2019 WNY Family 11