Bring the incredible world of Science and History into your home with our daily educational activities! Every day we will post a new activity that focuses on the world around us. We will post activities that highlight our local biodiversity, local history, and science experiments. Each of these activities is designed to encourage your child to think scientifically and utilize their imaginations in the comfort of your home. Please follow our Facebook and Instagram for updates! Check back regularly for new activities!
Sponsored by:

Funding provided by the special interest license plate featuring the image of Snoopy, with permission and support from Peanuts Worldwide (Section 5169 of the Vehicle Code) for the Museum Grant Program under the California Cultural and Historical Endowment.
Click on the pictures below to access each activity.
Sustainability Food Journal

Do you know if the food you eat is good or bad for the environment? Some of the foods we eat are not sustainable and can actually cause damage to the environment. Create your own food journal to track what you eat!
Create a Plant

Use your creativity to design your own plant and learn about different plant adaptations with this activity!
Mountain Lion Safety

Have you ever come across a mountain lion? In this activity, learn all about the mysterious mountain lion and what to do if you come across one on a hike!
Mammal Cards Matching Game

Study different types of marine mammals and then play a fun mammal card matching game!
What Can I Recycle_

We all know that recycling is important, but do you ever get confused about what exactly can be recycled? In this activity, learn more about why recycling is so important, and what items you should and should not be recycling.
Poisonous Plants

California has many different types of plants, but did you know that some of them are actually poisonous? Whether they are toxic to humans, animals or leave a rash if you touch them, there are some plants that should be avoided when hiking! Learn about a few of California's toxic plants in this identification activity.
Camouflage

Can you spot hidden animals when they are using camouflage? Try your luck in Spot the Animal today!
Bird Beak Adaptation

Have you noticed all the different types of beaks birds have? Find out which shape works best for grabbing food with this activity!
Soda Bottle Watering Can

Put an artistic twist to recycling with this activity! Design and create your very own soda bottle watering can!
Parts of a Plant

Did you know that there are around 400,000 species of plants on Earth? Learn about the different parts of plants and how they function in this activity!
Tide Pool Bingo

BINGO! Play this fun game to learn more about tide pools and the types of critters that can be found in them!
Snowy Plover Maze

Have you ever seen a Snowy Plover? Learn more about these cute shorebirds and attempt to help the plover find its food through a maze in this activity!
Ways to Live Sustainably

Do you know the different ways you can live sustainably? Make a poster with this activity to help your family remember the simple things they can do to live a more sustainable lifestyle.
Nature Prints

Have you ever noticed how unique each leaf is? Whether they are from the same plant, or different plants, leaves all have different patterns and characteristics. See for yourself just how unique each leaf is with this activity, and create beautiful art using nature!
Sand Dune Formation

Create your own sand dunes with this activity that demonstrates how wind builds massive sand dunes over time!
Build a Bird Nest

Build your own bird nest with this fun outdoor activity! Birds are some of the best engineers on the planet and have the ability to construct beautiful nests. Can you build a nest as good as a bird can?
Beach Cleanup

Want to learn how you can help protect marine organisms from plastic entanglement? Check out this activity!
Exploding Seed Pods

Do you know how plants disperse their seeds? Find out how some plants explode their seed pods to disperse seeds with this activity!
Grow a Gummy Bear

Learn about osmosis in this activity and grow your own gummy bears! In this 24-hour long experiment, watch as gummy bears fill up with water before your eyes!
DIY Mammal Tracks

Can you identify mammal tracks on a hike? With this activity, learn about four very common mammal tracks and make your own DIY guide to bring with you on a hike or hang up as art!
Backyard Biodiversity

How diverse is your backyard? Learn all about biodiversity and discover just how much biodiversity can be seen in your own yard with this fun, outdoor activity!
How Do Plants Drink

Have you ever wondered how a plant drinks its water? Plants drink water just like humans do, see how in this experiment!
Plants and Pollinators

Pollination is a very important step in the reproduction of plants and can't be done without insects like bees and butterflies. Learn about the relationship between plants and pollinators in this fun and yummy activity!
Mammal Word Search

Keep your eyes peeled during this tricky word search with 24 different mammals hidden in it!
What's Your Ecological Footprint_

Find out what your ecological footprint is with this activity, and brainstorm ways to help reduce your impact on the environment!
Nature Memory Matching Game

Train your brain with this fun nature memory matching game!
Dissolving Candy Canes

Celebrate the holidays with this fun science experiment! Watch as four different substances dissolve candy canes at different speeds, and make predictions about which substance you think will dissolve the candy canes the fastest!
Holiday Sink or Float Experiment

Don't put away those holiday decorations just yet! Learn about buoyancy with this fun Holiday Sink or Float Experiment using holiday decorations found in your home!
Help Grow The grinches Heart

With the Holidays around the corner enjoy this fun holiday experiment. Help grow the Grinch’s heart by three sizes! Use simple at home ingredients to create this experiment!
Mule Deer Holiday Card

Learn about Mule Deer and make your own holiday card for friends and family with this activity!
Chlorophyll Art

Do you know why plants are green? Find out in our chlorophyll art activity, were you use the chlorophyll from plants to make a painting!
Seeing with Sound Activity

In today's activity, explore why dolphins are considered mammals and experience how they use echolocation to find their food!
Manny the Mule Deer Line Maze

Help Manny get home! Use a pencil and guide through the maze to help Manny get home. Along the way you'll learn what makes Manny unique to the central coast!
Central Coast Ecosystems

Get ready to learn about all the different kinds of ecosystems on the Central Coast in this activity! From the pine forests, to the sand dunes, we will learn all about ecosystems in this fun activity!
I spy CA Vertebrates

This activity will test your knowledge of vertebrates and invertebrates, while also testing you’re your skills of observation and perception! Search for all of the California vertebrates in this I Spy activity!
Leaf breathing experiment

Have you ever wondered how plants breathe? In this DIY experiment you will learn how plants breathe, a process that is usually invisible!
Mammal Word Search

This fun word search is a perfect game for the entire family. Try and find all 8 words in this activity and have the opportunity to draw your favorite mammal!
The Compost Cycle

Before you create your very own compost pile, learn about the different steps in the composting cycle with this activity!
Keystone Species

Learn what a keystone species is and why they are so important in this fun and informational activity.
Dunes Food Web

How are owls, snakes, and kangaroo rats all related? Find out in this activity! You will learn about food webs, species, and dunes ecosystems all from the comfort of your home!
Color by number California Chipmunk mask

Create your very own California Chipmunk mask at home! Use the color by number guide while learning some fun facts about the California Chipmunk.
Betty the Burrowing Owl

If you love silly sentences and want to learn more about Betty, the Burrowing owl's exciting day, this activity is just for you. Fill in the blank areas with adjectives, verbs, and nouns to describe the CRAZY day Betty has had.
Sustainability -Earth Art Activity

Leaves, Sticks, rocks and many other small pieces of nature turn into a great medium to make art with! Get outside, get your hands dirty and feel the calming effect nature and making mandalas has for you!
DIY Leaf Ghosts

Create some fun environmentally friendly leaf ghosts just in time for Halloween!
The CA Ground Squirrel

In this game you will use your sense of smell to tell which items are food and which aren't. Play with friends or family and see who would make the best ground squirrel!
Butterflies Crossword

Learn about some common butterflies and then enjoy a fun butterfly themed crossword with today's activity.
animal classification lesson

Teach you kids how scientist classify animals and help identify the new creatures found in the dunes using a dichotomous key!
Plastic Recycling Craft

Learn how to recycle at home with this cute and creative shrunken plastic craft!
DIY lava Lamp

Learn about the properties of density and learn how to create your very own DIY Lava Lamp with this activity!
Fern lesson

Learn all about how diverse ferns are in this botany lesson!
Vanishing color Experiment!

The Vanishing Color Experiment will demonstrate how color can be removed through the properties of bleach (make sure to do this one with a parent!)
Vertebrate - Blubber Experiment

Learn about how marine mammals stay warm in the ocean with this fun experiment!
Oil Spill Activity

Teach your kids the negative effects of oil spills and the gravity of how hard they are to clean up with this powerful lesson.
Bears of California

Learn about bears, hibernation, and learn a fun game to play with your family friends.
Energy

Learn the difference between renewable and nonrenewable energy with this fun activity!
Western Sand Piper_Bill Game

Learn about the Western Sandpiper and how to play a fun game that simulates how they find food with this activity!
Central Coast Native Plants Scavenger hunt

Make a hike more interesting with this scavenger hunt. Take it with you while hiking through the foothills of the Central Coast to tech you and your kids the names of some common plants!
Lifecycle of a Frog

Learn about the life cycle of the tree frog with this fun activity!
Leaf Rubbings

Have you ever noticed the different shapes and textures of leaves? Try out this leaf rubbings activity and create a beautiful piece of art while also comparing different leaf shapes! This nature inspires art will impress all of your friends and family!
DIY Excavation

Learn how to make this do-it-yourself excavation kit using two household items with this step by step guide!
Nature Journal

Create your very own nature journal with a few household items using the instructions in this activity!
California Poppies

Create your own tissue paper poppy and learn about California's iconic flower with this activity.
Origami Mammal Activity

Learn how to create an origami whale, sea otter, and rabbit with this activity!
Air Pollution Experiment

Learn to measure pollution levels using items from around the house with today's activity!
Nature Bugs Activity

Follow along with this activity to learn how to create your very own nature bug masterpiece!
Egg Drop

Today’s activity demonstrates the laws of physics through an egg drop experiment! Forewarning, this might get a little messy!
Ocean Acidification Activity

Learn about ocean acidification and conduct an experiment to see how ocean acidification affects seashells with this activity.
Sand Dollar Tic-Tac-Toe

Learn some fun facts about sand dollars and create your own Tic-Tac-Toe set with this activity.
Sea Otter

Create your own super cute Sea Otter Puppet and learn some fun facts too!
Backyard Scavenger Hunt

Go on the hunt for some common bugs found in California with today's activity!
California Fan Palm

Learn about the only native palm tree in western North America and learn how to create a fun decorative personal goal palm tree!
Mammal Shadow Puppet

Create a shadow puppet show with the entire family, and learn about four animals found in California with this activity.
Overfishing Game

Teach your kids about overfishing with this interactive game! The entire family can join in!
Color Changing Flowers

Experiment with capillary systems in flowers and learn about how root systems work with this activity!
Solar Oven

Make your own solar powered oven!
The Hummingbird

Check out the worksheet in our bio to learn more about hummingbirds and how you can make your very own hummingbird feeder using common household objects!
Endemic Invertebrates

Learn about a invertebrate species that are only found in California with this activity
Big Sur Botany Hunt

Lean about some very common plants found in Big Sur with this activity!
Cloud Watching

Learn about the different types of clouds, and create your own cloud art with this activity!
Camoflauge

Learn about how and why animals blend in with their environment with this activity!
Sustainability Spinner

Challenge yourself to live a more sustainable lifestyle with this activity!
Squid in a Bottle

Learn about the giant squid and how to make your very own pet squid in a bottle with this activity.
Beans Activity

Learn about seed germination and how to grow a plant using beans from your kitchen with this activity!
Animal Dice activity

Show off your animal sound and movements with this fun game! Use this animal dice to take turns making sounds and movements of these common central coast animals. This is a perfect game to get the whole family moving and laughing!
Compost Pile

Learn about making and maintaining your own compost pile!
squid vs octopus lesson

Learn the differences between a squid and an octopus with this activity!
Coyote Brush

Learn about Coyote Bush with this activity.
Misc_DIY Rainstorm

Grab your umbrella! Or don't, because you can make this rainstorm all within your own kitchen! Learn about how rainstorms are formed and find the directions to make your very own rainstorm in this activity!
Snowy Plover

Learn about the Snowy Plover and uncover a fun fact by solving a cryptogram puzzle with this activity.
Sustainability Bingo

Check out this activity to find a fun way to become more sustainable with our sustainability bingo (P.S. , you can't lose!)
Ocean Layers

Learn about the different layers of the ocean with this activity!
Botany Memory Game

Learn to identify learn some common plants by playing this fun matching game!
Ocean Tides

Learn about why we have different tides and learn about the different activities to do during high and low tides.
Dolphin, Whale, Shark lesson

Learn about the anatomy of Dolphins, Whales, and Sharks with this fun activity!
DIY Face Coverings

In this activity, you can learn three really easy ways to make a reusable face mask and reduce the waste being created!
Common CA Snakes

Learn about common snakes in California with this crossword puzzle and informational worksheet!
Native Plant Flashcards lesson

Can you name some of the most common native plants on the Central Coast? If not, don’t worry! This lesson will teach you! Use these pre-made flashcards to test your knowledge.
Feather lesson

Birds are the only animals on Earth that have feathers! Learn about their function in this lesson!
Elephant Seal

Check out this worksheet to learn more about the elephant seals and solve the maze to help the elephant seal escape the great white shark!
Toothbrush

Learn more about how an item you use twice a day can affect the planet with this worksheet.
Hermit Crab Maze

Have you ever seen a hermit crab without a shell? Check out this activity to learn about hermit crabs!
Botany Crossword Activity

Test your knowledge with this fun botany themed crossword puzzle!
DIY Constellations

Teach your kids about constellations and make your own constellations at home!
Scat Mammal lesson

This lesson will help you identify common scat from California animals! This is a useful tracking tool that hunters and wildlife managers have used for hundreds of years.
Invert vs Vert

Teach your kids about the difference between vertebrates and invertebrates with this activity!
Plastic art lesson

Take your garbage and turn it into a master piece with this fun activity!
Flower Symmetry Activity

Have you ever noticed how some flowers look perfect? This is not just a coincidence, flowers look this way in order to attract more pollinators to them. Download this activity to learn about two types of symmetry found in flowers.
Intro to Birding

Did you know that the Central Coast is known for its birding?
With this lesson, you will be able to learn the basics of birding!
Mammals of CA word search

Learn about some common mammals found in California with a fun word search!
Plastic Pollution

Did you know that 28 billion pounds of plastic ends up in our ocean every year?! Learn more about plastic pollution and what you can do to reduce your waste with this activity!
Jellyfish lesson

Learn about the anatomy of a jellyfish and learn about some jellyfish you can see in the Pacific Ocean with this worksheet!
Ice Plant Worksheet

Did you know that this plant commonly found here on the central coast is an invasive species? Learn more about Carpobrotus edulis in this activity!
DIY Sundial Activity

Teach your kids how to tell time using a sundial!
Humpback Whale Activity

Interested in these gentle giants? Check out this activity to learn more about humpback whales!
Writing and Addressing a Letter Activity

Teach your kids the lost art of writing letters with this interactive activity!
The Bee

Learn about California Native bees and the anatomy of the bee with this educational worksheet.
Bee Friendly Garden

Add some color to your garden and create a friendly attractive garden for the bees!
Excavate a Cookie

Excavate a cookie like an archaeologist with this activity taken from the New York City Repository!
Predators and Prey

Learn about how predators and prey interact in a food web with this worksheet!
Bear, Trout, Mosquito Game

Ready to play a fun game with your kiddos. This game is a combination of "Rock, Paper, Scissors" and "Tag".
DIY Felt Dudleya Succulents

Make your own felt succulent!
Bird Bingo

Take a social distancing hike to the beach and compete with your family to ID and find the birds! Match four in a row to win!
Animal Tracks

Animal Tracks Identification Worksheet
Build a Bird Feeder

Celebrate the Earth by recycling your toilet rolls and feeding the birds!
DIY Plant Press

Learn how to create your own plant press! Learn to identify plants in your own backyard and create beautiful art.
Bats Activity

Teach your children about Bats! Teach your kids the facts about bats and the common misconceptions
Tide Pools

Teach your kids about the animals that live in the tide pools.
Spiders

Teach your kids about he western widow, a native arachnid frequently seen on the Central Coast!
Backyard Scavenger Hunt

Get outside and help your children identify some common plants and animals using this interactive activity.
Trout

Teach your kids about the difference between Rainbow Trout and Steelhead Trout.
All about SEA OTTERS

Learn about Sea Otters and how they have adapted to utilize tools to help hunt for food!
Covid-19 Time Capsule

Looking for a fun activity to do with your kids at home? Check out the Time Capsule Activity to help your children process and document this unique period of time.
Tree Ring Info

Learn about how scientists use tree rings to age trees
Monarch Butterfly

Print out this awesome illustration of the life cycle of the Monarch Butterfly to teach your children about one of nature's most incredible transformations!
Grey whale

Learn about the Gray Whale and its annual migration from the Arctic down to the lagoons in Baja.
What makes a mammal

Teach your kids about what makes a mammal so unique and different from other animals in the animal kingdom!
Ants

Learn about the anatomy of one of the most common household pests!
Food Web Scavenger Hunt

Get outside and learn about how every organsim is connected. This scavenger hunt will teach you kids about decomposers, producers, and consumers.
Plant Dissection

Learn about the anatomy of a flowering plant!
What is a scientist

Teach your kids about what it means to be a scientist with this interactive worksheet.
Oso Flaco Lake Common Animals

Can you identify the animals at Oso Flaco?