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Exploring Science Through Nature: Acorns

Nature offers a unique opportunity for children of all ages to learn and grow through observation and exploration. In this article we will highlight acorn science learning through exploration and the valuable scientific skills - along with many others they can develop in the process.


Acorns may appear to be a basic sight during the autumn season, possibly causing discomfort when stepped on or falling from trees onto your head but they are so much more! Explore!


For book recommendations on the subject of acorns, click here.


Child reaching for acorns




To start your child’s exploration, asking them simple questions, or making observations of your own can kickstart their scientific thinking. What do they want to know about acorns? What do they notice? How can they find out the answers? Below are some ways to explore with questions we have had:



Where does an acorn come from?


This exploration is pretty simple and will encourage your child to look up! Look at different trees while going for a nature walk and see which ones have acorns hanging from them. (Also looking at the ground below for many acorns in one spot can give clues)!


Learning Opportunities:


Prediction: Where do you think we will find acorns? What tree do they fall from?


Observation: where do you see acorns?


Counting: How many acorns do you see? Are there more under this tree or that tree.



Acorns in an oak tree


What does an acorn look like on the inside?


To explore this, ask your child how they think they can open the acorn up to look inside? Tip: grab a few different acorns, some fresh and some that look a bit older. See what ideas they come up with.


We tried:

Prying it open with fingers

Throwing it on the ground

Hitting it with a rock (worked best)



Once they crack it open, ask what they observe about the different acorns?


Learning Opportunities:


Observation and description: what do the acorns look like on the inside, how do they feel, how do they smell?


Trial and error: when one method of opening the acorn does not work, trying another.


Motor Skills: opening the acorn up - regardless of method used


Additional (possibility): if you leave an acorn sitting around you may notice a grub crawl out of it. So if you wish to keep them indoors, be aware of this (somewhat gross) possibility)!


We opened two acorns, the first two images show an older acorn (easier to open) and the third image is of a newer, fresh acorn (more difficult to open).






What do squirrels do with acorns or who eats acorns?


Especially during the autumn season, you may notice squirrels burying acorns in the ground. But what exactly are they doing?


Learning opportunity:


Make predictions: encourage your child to think about why they are doing this. Discuss with them that squirrels have a difficult time finding food in the winter. Lead them to the answer that they bury food because it is difficult to find in the winter.


Respect for living creatures: Having knowledge about the food that animals like squirrels eat helps children develop an understanding and appreciation for other living beings.







Books related to acorns












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