Exploring Nature on a Winter Scavenger Hunt

SciShow Kids

Join the host and her robot friend Squeaks on an exciting winter scavenger hunt to explore how nature changes during the coldest season. This engaging video combines animation with real-world footage to guide young viewers through observing winter phenomena, from frozen water and dormant plants to animal tracks and survival strategies. It explains scientific concepts like why water freezes, how plants protect themselves from the cold, and where insects go during the winter months. The video covers key themes of seasonal changes, states of matter (freezing), plant biology (deciduous vs. coniferous/evergreen trees), and animal adaptations (hibernation, migration). It specifically addresses the misconception that bare trees are dead, introducing the concept of dormancy, and highlights how different organisms survive harsh weather conditions. For educators, this video serves as a perfect launchpad for outdoor experiential learning. It encourages observation skills and scientific inquiry by modeling a structured scavenger hunt. Teachers can use this resource to support lessons on seasons, weather patterns, and local ecology, providing a practical framework for students to investigate their own schoolyards or neighborhoods for signs of winter.