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Signs of Winter

Change is in the air! See for yourself on a pre-winter walk.

Photo: © Courtesy of Dave Menke/U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service

The American tree sparrow is a common winter visitor to much of the U.S.

What you need:

natural area you and your child can walk in

What you do:

What are some signs that winter is approaching? Depending on where you live, the signs may be dramatic or subtle. Either way, you and your child should be able to notice some of these harbingers if you spend an hour outdoors together on a pre-winter walk.

Temperature: The first thing your child is likely to notice about the coming of winter is that he or she has to bundle up to go on your walk. With winter come lower temperatures, even in southern states. If you have a dog, check to see if the dog's coat is getting thicker. That's its way of bundling up! Many wild mammals also grow thicker fur coats to stay warm.

Birds: If you are walking on a cold day, you may see a bird fluff up its feathers until it looks like a puffy ball. The fluffed-up feathers are holding in the bird's body heat to keep it warm. As you walk along, ask your child if he or she sees the same birds that lived here during warmer months. Because many birds migrate to southern climates in winter, some of your child's favorites may no longer be around. The birds you do see are either year-round residents or ones that have flown to your area from farther north.

Trees and Plants: Point out various trees and plants that you pass. Ask your child how they look different from the way they did in the fall. Leafy trees have lost their leaves by now. Unless you live in the deep South or Southwest, there won't be any flowers blooming now.

Daylight Hours: If you started your walk in the late afternoon, your child may notice that darkness has begun to fall sooner than it did during the summer. Days become shorter in the winter.