We hope you and your family are safe and healthy at home, but we know how difficult it is to be away from school, friends, and activities. That’s why we’re happy to provide you with this new email series, dedicated to a day’s worth of nature and science facts, activities, guiding questions to ask your kids, and more. Check out the links below for each day’s theme and activities, and then subscribe to the newsletter to receive more!
Additionally, follow the Nature Museum on our social media channels for a behind-the-scenes look as we continue taking care of our live animals and butterflies!
#NatureMuseum – Facebook | Twitter | Instagram
Past Wonder at Home Newsletters
How Do Butterflies Eat?
Explore this cool topic with your kids through videos and activities.
Originally published March 16, 2020
Fabulous Frogs
Learn how frogs swallow their food, the difference between toads and frogs, and more!
Originally published March 18, 2020
Read to Me Day
Check out young reader-friendly articles about our scientists and a virtual Story Time!
Originally published March 19, 2020
How Did Animals Survive the Winter?
Warm weather is on the way, but how did our animal friends survive the winter? Read on to learn more!
Originally published March 20, 2020
All About Super Salamanders!
These amazing amphibians come in a variety of colors and sizes, and many of them call Illinois home! Read on to learn more.
Originally published March 23, 2020
Plants and More!
Let’s take a look at some of the plants you can find around the Nature Museum and in your own backyard! Read on to learn more.
Originally published March 24, 2020
Snakes are Ssso Cool!
Although you can’t meet our snakes in-person right now, we still want to highlight how amazing they are. Read on to learn more about snakes!
Originally published March 25, 2020
Discover our Museum Collections!
We use our 350,000-piece collection to bring Chicagoans closer to nature. Keep reading to explore our collections and start making your own!
Originally published March 26, 2020
Beautiful Birds!
Let’s meet some of the birds you might find in your backyard and around the Nature Museum!
Originally published March 27, 2020
Metamorphosis Monday!
Explore the differences between cocoons and chrysalises, experience the monarch life cycle, and more!
Originally published March 30, 2020
All About Lizards!
Although you can’t see the lizards in our Dragons Alive! exhibit right now, we can take a closer look at some of them and also discover some of the lizards that call Illinois home!
Originally published March 31, 2020
Magnificent Moths!
People often get butterflies and moths confused, and it’s easy to see why! Learn more about moths here!
Originally published April 1, 2020
It’s Children’s Book Day
We’re celebrating this day by bringing you three virtual Story Times, plus some Story Time recommendations from our team.
Originally published April 2, 2020
Meet the Beetles!
Explore beetles, make a scientific drawing, and more!
Originally published April 6, 2020
You Are A Scientist!
There are a variety of community science projects out there with different commitment levels. We’re going to highlight a few that you can get involved in this month!
Originally published April 7, 2020
Blanding’s And Box Turtles!
We know you’re missing our turtle-y awesome friends Manny, Charlie, and the rest of our Nature Museum turtles. So, we’ve dedicated the newsletter to bringing our box turtles and Blanding’s turtles to you!
Originally published April 8, 2020
Meet the Mollusks!
Mollusks are a group of invertebrates with soft bodies that live in aquatic or damp habitats. Read on to learn more about these cool aquatic creatures!
Originally published April 9, 2020
Scales, Feathers, and More!
Different animals have different types of body coverings to help them survive. Although some animals have more than one type of covering, there are five basic types.
Originally published April 10, 2020
Meet Our Button Quail!
Learn more about these adorable birds living in the Judy Istock Butterfly Haven!
Originally published April 13, 2020
Super Squirrels!
If you’ve ever walked through our Nature Trails, you’ve probably encountered the many squirrels that live on our grounds! Read on to explore these awesome animals!
Originally published April 14, 2020
Chicago Butterflies!
We’re taking a closer look at six butterflies you’re likely to see in the city!
Originally published April 16, 2020
Bat Appreciation Day
We’re taking a closer look at these misunderstood, and extremely important, animals!
Originally published April 17, 2020
Kicking Off Earth Week
Let’s learn about composting, worms, and more!
Originally published April 20, 2020
Helping Pollinators!
If you love pollinators as much as we do, you’re probably aware of the recent population decline of many pollinator species. We’re taking a closer look at the things we can do to help our local pollinators.
Originally published April 21, 2020
Happy Earth Day!
Today marks the 50th anniversary of Earth Day, and although we can’t celebrate it in the way we originally planned, there are lots of ways we can mark this event from home.
Originally published April 22, 2020
How Can I Conserve Water At Home?
Did you know that Lake Michigan is the largest public drinking water supply in the state of Illinois? Even though the lake is large, it’s not an unlimited supply. Let’s learn some simple steps we can all take to help conserve water at home!
Originally published April 23, 2020
Recycling ‘Dos’ & ‘Don’ts’
Did you know that Chicagoans as a whole recycle less than 10% of our waste? We can all work to do better!
Originally published April 24, 2020
Buzzworthy Bees!
Although some people are afraid of bees, these fuzzy friends are an extremely important part of our ecosystem!
Originally published April 27, 2020
All About Hummingbirds!
Although there are more than 300 species of hummingbirds, the only hummingbird we’re likely to see in Chicago is the ruby-throated hummingbird. Let’s explore this beauty!
Originally published April 28, 2020
Unexpected Pollinator Pals!
We spend a lot of time talking about how important bees and butterflies are to pollinating plants, but they aren’t the only ones who help! In fact, there are a lot of other insects to play a role in pollination, too!
Originally published April 29, 2020
Sssimply Snakes!
There’s ssso much to say about our slithery snake pals, so we’re taking a closer look at them in today’s newsletter! Keep reading to find out some answers to your common snake questions!
Originally published April 30, 2020
Celebrating Butterflies!
Today would have marked our 22nd Butterfly Ball, and although we cannot celebrate the way we had originally planned, we are taking this opportunity to focus on some of our history and our premier exhibit–the Judy Istock Butterfly Haven!
Originally published May 1, 2020
Just Blending In!
Animals have developed all kinds of adaptations to help them survive. Some are poisonous, some have protective shells, and some have coloring that helps them blend into their surroundings. Let’s explore some cool camouflaged critters!
Originally published May 4, 2020
At Home With Mom!
A habitat is the area in which a group of plants and animals live and interact. If an animal is in the right habitat, they’ll have access to shelter, food, water, and a place to raise their young! Let’s learn more about habitats!
Originally published May 5, 2020
Baby Animals!
It’s amazing how animals change as they grow up! While some are born looking a lot like their parents, others go through a huge transformation. Even wilder, some babies are on their own from the moment they hatch! Let’s learn more about some baby animals and their parents.
Originally published May 6, 2020
Answering Your Questions!
You asked and our scientists answered! In today’s newsletter, we’re answering some of your most common questions. Have other questions? Be sure to drop us a line and maybe we’ll include it in our next Frequently Asked Questions roundup!
Originally published May 7, 2020
Let’s Learn In Spanish!
Although we can’t offer our Spanish Through Nature course right now, we can still explore Spanish vocabulary and the natural world! Read on for stories, resources, and more!
Originally published May 8, 2020
Let’s Learn More About Frogs & Toads!
We’re taking another look at frogs and toads! Keep reading for stories, Critter Connections, and more. Don’t forget you can also pair these activities with our first frog and toad email, and with our frog-themed Story Time.
Originally published May 11, 2020
Spiders Don’t Have To Be Scary!
Today, we’re taking a closer look at spiders. Some people think they’re scary, but they’re actually helpful! Not only are most of them harmless to people, they’re actually very beneficial. They eat lots of insects that damage crops, and they also eat insects that can carry disease. Let’s explore them some more!
Originally published May 12, 2020
Ducks, Geese, & Swans!
Waterfowl are birds that live on or near water. Ducks, geese, and swans are all waterfowl, so they have a lot of similarities. They all have webbed feet, and broad, flat bills. But they have a lot of differences too. Let’s explore them!
Originally published May 13, 2020
Let’s Draw!
We’re celebrating Drawing Day a little early so that we can explore art and nature together! Not only can drawing nature teach us a lot about the world around us, drawing is an amazing tool in helping us learn!
Originally published May 14, 2020
It’s Endangered Species Day
Today is an important day. It’s Endangered Species Day, a day to learn about endangered species and how to protect them. We’re focusing on some of the endangered species that our scientists work with every single day.
Originally published May 15, 2020
International Museum Day
Museums make it possible for us to learn from the past, better understand our present, and plan for the future. We’re proud of our 163-year history and place as Chicago’s first public museum. So, today, we’re taking a look at a part of our 350,000-piece collection.
Originally published May 18, 2020
How Do Animals Protect Themselves?
Camouflage and special body coverings are two ways that animals protect themselves from other animals. But there are some other defensive behaviors that we haven’t talked about yet! Let’s explore some of the amazing ways that animals protect themselves.
Originally published May 19, 2020
World Bee Day!
Happy World Bee Day! Today is the perfect day to recognize how important bees are. They’re the most prolific pollinators in the world! Let’s spend more time learning about these fuzzy friends.
Originally published May 20, 2020
Exploring Lakes, Rivers, and Ponds!
As Chicagoans, we’re in a really unique position! We live close to several different types of bodies of water, including lakes, ponds, and rivers. But what is the difference between them? And what types of animals live in them? Let’s take a closer look!
Originally published May 21, 2020
What Is Biodiversity?
Today is the International Day for Biological Diversity. Our scientists are dedicated to conserving and bolstering the biodiversity of our native species. But what does that mean? And why is it important? Let’s explore this topic.
Originally published May 22, 2020
Let’s Explore Animal Habitats
What is a habitat? A habitat is the area in which a group of plants and animals live and interact. An animal’s habitat provides it with food, shelter, and a place to raise its young. Although all habitats share the same basic function, they can vary a lot!
Originally published May 26, 2020
Magnificent Milkweed
Although we often associate milkweed with the monarch butterfly, there are lots of other insects to discover on this incredible plant! Today, we’re exploring some lesser-known milkweed residents!
Originally published May 27, 2020
Frequently Asked Questions Part 2!
In today’s newsletter, we’re tackling some of your most common questions. Have other questions? Be sure to drop us a line and maybe we’ll include it in our next Frequently Asked Questions roundup!
Originally published May 28, 2020
What Are Host Plants?
Host plants are plants that an organism lives on and lives off of. There is a big crossover between the types of plants we typically grow in vegetable gardens and the plants that insects have as host plants! Learn more in today’s newsletter.
Originally published May 29, 2020
Learn About Smooth Greensnakes
Dr. Allison recently released some smooth greensnakes into the Lake County Forest Preserves as part of our ongoing headstart partnership. So we thought we’d share some photos and video from the release and explore these adorable, teeny snakes in more detail.
Originally published June 2, 2020
What Are Skippers?
Is it a moth? Is it a butterfly? It’s a skipper! Let’s explore these special butterflies and discover some that you might see in your own backyard!
Originally published June 3, 2020
Meet the Mudpuppy
Did you know that June is Mud Month? That’s why we’re dedicating today’s email to mud and the critters you can find in it (including one special animal with “mud” in its name). Read on to explore with us.
Originally published June 4, 2020
World Environment Day
World Environment Day is celebrated on June 5 every year to encourage awareness and action for the protection of our environment. Today, we’re focusing on the importance of the environment through age-appropriate lessons, stories, and more.
Originally published June 5, 2020
The Great Outdoors
The month of June also marks Great Outdoors Month, making it a great opportunity to explore our local nature and wildlife. We have a long list of ways to help you do just that.
Originally published June 6, 2020
Frequently Asked Questions Part 3!
Our scientists are tackling more of your common questions in today’s newsletter!
Originally published June 8, 2020
Cicadas Up Close!
Have you ever wondered what animal was making the noise we often hear in the summer in Chicago? It’s a cicada. Cicadas are strange-looking insects that can measure up to 2.25 inches long. Despite their kind of small size, they can make a lot of noise! Let’s learn more about these cool critters.
Originally published June 9, 2020
Fantastic Fossils!
How often do you think about the ground under your feet? About what it is composed of or how old the rocks are? Did you know that under your feet, there are not just rocks and soils, but fossils? Let’s explore these amazing snapshots in time!
Originally published June 10, 2020
Dragonflies and Damselflies!
Today we’re talking all about dragonflies! Although they look a little intimidating, they’re actually very cool (and won’t hurt you!). Let’s take a closer look at these misunderstood insects.
Originally published June 11, 2020
More Than Just “Weeds”
Dandelions, Queen Anne’s lace, and other “weeds” are often thought of as nuisances. Many people do their best to get rid of them in their lawns and gardens, but they’re actually important! Let’s learn about some of these often overlooked plants.
Originally published June 12, 2020
Nature Photography Day
Today we’re celebrating Nature Photography Day by highlighting nature photographers, sharing some of our staff’s favorite photos, and challenging you to go out and snap some shots of your own!
Originally published June 15, 2020
“Hop” To It!
Grasshoppers, crickets, and katydids. Those names are often used interchangeably, but they actually belong to very different insects. Although they’re all part of a group of insects known as orthopterans and have a lot of similarities, there are some distinguishing features to help you tell them apart. Let’s take a closer look!
Originally published June 16, 2020
What Is Weather?
The weather is getting warmer and warmer…but what is weather? Weather is the temperature and other outside conditions at a particular time and place. Let’s take a closer look at summer weather!
Originally published June 17, 2020
Surprising Summer Species
Over the last several weeks, we’ve talked a lot about the cool critters you can find in our area, but there are some animals that might take you by surprise this summer. Read on to find out more!
Originally published June 18, 2020
Colors in Nature
We’re closing out this final week of school by looking to the rainbow and exploring colors in nature.
Originally published June 19, 2020
Best of Wonder #1
Please enjoy some of our readers’ favorite videos, activities, crafts, and more in this special week-long series.
Originally published June 22, 2020
Best of Wonder #2
Please enjoy some of our readers’ favorite videos, activities, crafts, and more in this special week-long series.
Originally published June 23, 2020
Best of Wonder #3
Please enjoy some of our readers’ favorite videos, activities, crafts, and more in this special week-long series.
Originally published June 24, 2020
Best of Wonder #4
Please enjoy some of our readers’ favorite videos, activities, crafts, and more in this special week-long series.
Originally published June 25, 2020
Best of Wonder #5
Please enjoy some of our readers’ favorite videos, activities, crafts, and more in this special week-long series.
Originally published June 26, 2020
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