My Senses Spy Game

Ranger with youth

NPS Photo

When exploring the outdoors, children and parents can use their senses to play “My Senses Spy” – a modified version of the child’s game “Eye Spy” where children are engaging all five senses to explore the either the canal in the park, a local park near them, their own back yard, anywhere outdoors.

Parents are encouraged to let the children lead the activity, however, may need to guide the dialogue/questions. Remember, when describing anything, make the connection to how it may have been used outdoors. For example, along the canal, “Coal was transported on canal boats.”

 

Let's review our 5 Senses!

 

List of the 5 senses; ear for hearing, eyes for sight, nose for smell, tongue for taste & hand for touch.

NPS Image / Kelly Savannah

 

Below are some sample locations/questions to get the dialogue started:

• “My Senses Spy…water dripping or noise in the tunnel”
• “My Sense Spy…a bright colored leaf or large leaves blowing in the wind.”
• "My Sense Spy...a certain smell, could it be scat (animal feces/poop)?"
• "My Sense Spy...a beautiful flower with bees buzzing about! Do you think the bees like the taste of the flower's sweet nectar?"
• "My Senses Spy...the feeling of sand and/or rough stone."