Just for Kids
The Bighorn National Forest has a lot of great educational materials for educators and kids.
For more, visit the Rocky Mountain Region's page.
Earn a Bighorn National Forest Junior Ranger badge and learn a little about the Bighorn National Forest. Download the booklet and return a scan or photos of the completed activities to sm.fs.bighorninfo@usda.gov or 2013 Eastside 2nd Street, Sheridan, WY 82801.
Take a tour of this special place and see all that it has to offer. Download the book, here's the answer key if you need.
Learn how you can prevent wildfires from Smokey Bear.
Woodsy Owl was established by Congress in 1972 to raise awareness of conservation. Learn how to “Lend a Hand — Care for the Land!” Do you know what that means? It means that if we all work together, the Earth will have clean air and water and will be a healthy place to live for trees and plants, fish, animals and birds.
Reduce
This means to cut down on the amount of stuff you use every day to reduce your daily garbage. Use a cloth lunch bag you can wash and use again and again instead of paper of plastic bags you have to throw away. Save water by turning off the faucet while you brush your teeth. Save electricity by turning off the lights when you leave a room. Every time you reduce, you help the environment. Can you think of other ways to reduce?
Reuse
This means to use the same thing more than once. If clothes do not fit you anymore, give them to a sibling or ask your parent if you can donate them. The same goes with toys, games and books. Draw pictures on the back of printed paper or use old items to make art, like a piggy bank out of an old bleach bottle. Reuse plastic bags from the grocery story. Can you think of other ways to reuse paper or plastic? What kind of art projects can you do?
Recycle
Recycling is a way of taking something old and turning it into something new again. You can take paper, glass and cans to a recycling center so they can be turned into new items, like clothes, carpet and outdoor furniture. Even old tennis shoes can be remade into a sidewalk and old tires are used on playgrounds. You can even make toys out of old things. How about a helicopter out of an egg carton? Or collect toilet paper rolls to use them to plan seeds or make creative artwork. What can you recycle into something new?
Rot
A natural way to turn leftover fruit and vegetables into really good plant food is called compost. A pile of old broccoli, leftover salad, banana peels, egg shells, fall leaves and grass clippings can be saved outside in a compost bin. In one year, you’ll have moist compost that can be used in your garden to help grow more delicious food!
Practice your 4Rs, then write me a letter and let me know how much you have learned.
Related content
Enter Smokey and Woody’s poster contest!
Download Woodsy Owl coloring pages
- Clean Air is Great!
- If I flew over your school, what would I see?
- Lend a Hand! Care for the Land! 1
- Lend a Hand! Care for the Land! 2
- Help Keep our Waters Clean!
Woodsy’s ABCs
Fly around with Woodsy Owl to learn your ABCs, practice your reading skills and learn facts about nature.
Woodsy Owl
U.S. Forest Service
1400 Independence Ave., NW
Washington, D.C. 20250-0003
Every Kid Outdoors was developed so fourth graders and their families could discover our public lands for free. Fourth graders are eligible for a free National Parks and Federal Recreational Lands pass and a free Christmas tree permit.
The Junior Forest and Junior Snow Ranger programs use Forest Service science and practices to encourage children ages 7 through 13 to enjoy and appreciate nature. Check out the booklets below for more information. Visit the Forest Service's Conservation Education page for details.
Help your family prepare for disasters with Ready Kids.
Check out this exciting, free partnership education program for children in the 4-8th grades and their educators.