OMG! it is already the Fall season with holidays quickly upon us. Regardless of the holiday that you celebrate, we all love giving, especially to the little ones. Unless you are in daily contact with the young ones in your family, chances are you, like me, are at a loss as to gift-giving. With 5 and 6 year old grandchildren, I depend upon their parents for guidance. But this year, I will change that with gifts that bring the joy of being a naturalist. Here are some suggestions for consideration.
A good start is with books about nature. I really like the BIG BOOK Series by Yuva Zummer. Each huge format (9.4 in x 13.7 in x 0.6 in) covers the topic in a fun, colorful, and imaginative way. Stimulate their curiosity with bugs, birds, beasts, blooms, and blue. My fav is Bugs that covers everything from butterflies to spiders, and, there is a separate series with stickers.
Speaking of bugs, a few items on my gift list are all about those creepy, crawling things. If your kid is into catching bugs, how about a bug catcher kit. Here are a couple of simple inexpensive ones and one a bit more complex from Home Science Tools.
Outdoor Exploration Bug Catcher Kit 
Nature Bound Bug Catcher 
Insect Collector’s Backpack Kit
Do your kids like to explore the outdoors? If so, there are some fun nature exploring kits available. Here are a couple that look interesting for those little naturalists complete with vest and hat. YourToysGuide offers a wide selection.
Born Toys Outdoor Explorer Kit 
Born Toys Outdoor Explorer Kit
Finally, how about a gift each month. You cannot go wrong with The National Wildlife Federation (NWF) Ranger Rick series or the Zoo Books.
Of course, these are only a few of my choices. There are loads of ideas on-line. Happy Holidays!
Wade Village 