National Geographic Kids Blogs » NG Kids

Dare To Explore Costa Rica Sweepstakes

NG Kids — Fri, 17 May 2013 17:25:18 +0000

Has your family ever dreamed of exploring Costa Rica? Pottery Barn Kids has announced a sweepstakes for families. Only adults can enter the Pottery Barn Kids Dare To Explore Costa Rica sweepstakes. One family will win an amazing eight-day trip with National Geographic Expeditions to explore the Pacific coast of Costa Rica and Panama aboard the National Geographic Sea Lion!

Parents: Enter the Dare To Explore Costa Rica sweepstakes.

Learn more about Costa Rica on National Geographic Kids.

Cicadas Return This Spring

NG Kids — Wed, 15 May 2013 21:28:47 +0000

This spring, swarms of periodical cicadas will emerge on the east coast of the United States. These Brood II (or Brood 2), 1.5-inch long cicadas spend most of their lives underground, coming to the surface 17 years after they were laid as eggs by their mother! The cicadas start appearing after the temperature in the ground rises to 64°F. The year’s first cicadas have been spotted in the last few days.

They don’t sting or bite, but there will be millions of them crawling and flying around.

Learn more about cicadas in the Creature Feature.

Celebrate Your Mom on Mother’s Day

NG Kids — Thu, 09 May 2013 16:42:34 +0000

This Sunday, May 12, is a day for families in the U.S. and many other countries to celebrate their moms! President Woodrow Wilson declared the second Sunday in May to be set aside as a Mother’s Day holiday in 1914, and we have been celebrating every year since then.

Do you do anything special for your mom on Mother’s Day?

Get crafty gift ideas for your mom on National Geographic Kids.

National Kids to Parks Day

NG Kids — Tue, 07 May 2013 21:00:30 +0000

National Kids to Parks Day is Saturday, May 18. National Kids to Parks Day is all about kids connecting with nature, so visit the National Kids to Parks Day website to find an event near you! As the National Park Trust mascot Buddy Bison says, “Explore outdoors, the parks are yours!”

Ask your parents to sign up at the official National Kids to Parks website.

(AD) Check out the National Geographic Kids National Parks Guide U.S.A.

See pictures of U.S. national parks on National Geographic Kids.

Animals on the Train?

NG Kids — Tue, 30 Apr 2013 18:43:22 +0000

You may have seen a dog accompanying a passenger on your local bus, but some wild animals have been spotted hitching a ride on public transportation! In 2002, a coyote climbed aboard a Portland, Oregon, light rail train and snuggled into a seat. Wildlife specialists removed the coyote before the train started moving. Cats, pigeons, and even rhesus monkeys have been spotted on buses and light rail trains!

Get the facts on your favorite animals on National Geographic Kids.

Celebrate the National Parks

NG Kids — Fri, 26 Apr 2013 21:08:38 +0000

It’s time to celebrate the national parks! April 27 is volunteer day, so look for opportunities to help out in your nearest national park.
National Park Week began on April 20 and runs through April 28. Is your family going to visit a national park this weekend?

Learn about National Park Week on the National Park Service website.

See pictures of national parks on National Geographic Kids.

(AD) Check out the National Geographic Kids National Parks Guide U.S.A. in the National Geographic Store.

NG Kids Reporter Meets the Teacher of the Year

NG Kids — Wed, 24 Apr 2013 19:08:19 +0000

Hi, I’m Lucy Gammon, 13-year-old NG Kids reporter, and on Monday I got the chance to visit the Vice President’s residence for a reception honoring the National and State Teachers of the Year. Second Lady Dr. Jill Biden, an educator herself, welcomed all the teachers to her house and talked about how important teachers are in the world.

Jeff Carbonneau, the 2013 National Teacher of the Year. Photograph by Anna Irwin

I got the chance to talk to the 2013 National Teacher of Year, Jeff Carbonneau, a high school teacher from Washington state. Jeff told me he was planning to be a vet, but took a tutoring job and “was hooked” on teaching. So he switched his major and became a teacher. He teaches science and engineering classes.

He also enjoys the outdoors. I decided to ask him what animal he would be if he could be any animal in the world. He said he would be a giraffe, because giraffes are able to look over everything and see things in a different perspective.

Palm Trees

NG Kids — Fri, 19 Apr 2013 14:10:10 +0000

Phenomenal Friday Fact

Palm trees grew at the North Pole about 55 million years ago.

The Earth is an amazing planet. As we celebrate Earth Day this April 22, consider the changing environment and take steps to protect it for the future.

Check out books and movies about nature and the environment.

Celebrate Earth Day

NG Kids — Thu, 18 Apr 2013 21:13:15 +0000

Earth Day is April 22! How are you and your family going to celebrate? It’s a great day to get outside and ride bikes, or make a point to recycle, but there are other ways you could spend the day. You can learn more about the Earth and the animals and creatures that make the world a special place to be.

Below are lists of books from National Geographic and movies which you and your family may want to take a look at on Earth Day. They all share the common theme of the environment (and some have cute animals too)! Do you have any favorites on the list?

BOOKS

True Green Kids: 100 Things You Can Do to Save the Planet by Kim McKay and Jenny Bonnin
This book offers you 100 great tips and tricks on how you can make a difference. Being environmentally friendly isn’t hard with these great ideas!

Classic Treasury of Childhood Wonders by Susan Magsamen
You’ll never get bored with this environmentally aware book. Chock-full of poetry, literature, art and activity ideas, there is something for everyone and is great to share with the family.

Book of Animal Poetry edited by J. Patrick Lewis
Poetry is pretty great. Animals, are also pretty great. How about 200 poems about animals with pictures? Really great! This book is full of roaring, squeaking and soaring.

National Parks Guide U.S.A.
America’s National Parks are some of the country’s most valued treasures. This book has lots of great pictures of the sites, facts about animals there, tips on exploring, and more.

Animal Encyclopedia
Amazing facts about 2,500 animals! This book has maps, fun trivia and 1,000 color pictures of just about any animal you’re curious about.

The World Is Waiting for You by Barbara Kerley
How many times have you been asked “what do you want to be when you grow up?” This book helps you figure it out based on things you love and are interested in now as a kid. All the while encouraging you to explore, discover, and go on adventures!

A Cool Drink of Water by Barbara Kerley
This picture book helps show how we are all connected around the world by our need for water. It doesn’t matter if you get it from the kitchen or scoop it up from a river, we all need this vital resource.

One World, One Day by Barbara Kerley
No matter where you are from or where you are going there is one very basic fact: we are all sharing the same journey. Through amazing pictures and storytelling, see how we are all connected.

Backyard Wilderness by Catherine Herbert Howell
Here’s a pocket guide to many of the great animals found in North America including bats, squirrels, birds and bugs.

Earth in the Hot Seat by Marfe Ferguson Delano
Take a look at how the environment is changing and the scientific reasons behind. Maybe it’ll inspire you to make a difference!

Check out these books in the National Geographic Kids Shop.

MOVIES

Wall-e
This film shows what may happen to our Earth in the future if we don’t take care of it and leave it behind. By taking care of ourselves and protecting the Earth, we can live in a happy and healthy environment.

The Lorax
Can you imagine living in a world without trees? They provide us with oxygen and hundreds of homes for animals. We can all be like the Lorax and protect the remaining trees, or even plant new ones!

Ferngully
Though the rainforests may not be the home of fairies, it is an important ecosystem for other plants and animals. Deforestation and pollution are one the greatest threats to these lush habitats.

Disneynature: Earth
After seeing all the beauty that’s out there, can you imagine it all being wiped out by mankind’s careless ways? Do your part to make the Earth a better place for all of these animals.

Furry Vengeance
How would you react if someone took away your home? These animals aren’t going to stand for the overdevelopment of their land!

March of the Penguins
Take another look at how amazing animals are and their natural environments. It’s our job to protect them.

Hoot
Not everyone has the environment’s best interest at heart. But just like these kids in the movie, you can take a stand and make a difference.

Some Fish Can Live a Year Without Food

NG Kids — Tue, 16 Apr 2013 21:22:38 +0000

Most humans eat three meals a day, yet the Dolly Varden trout can go up to a year without eating anything! This fish can expand or shrink its stomach, depending on how much food it can (or can’t) find.

Dolly Varden trout eat the eggs that salmon lay during their spawning season. However, since food can be scarce, they must conserve their energy. By shrinking their intestinal tracts, they can use less energy until they are able to find more food. When they finally get a chance to eat salmon eggs, they can expand their stomachs. Imagine how helpful that would be when you want to finish a banana split!