Play Duplication: Nature Memory

What to Do:

1. Pick a leader. The leader gathers between 5 and 10 objects from the immediate area as the other players hide their eyes. These items might be leaves, nuts, sticks, berries, stones, or whatever objects are nearby.
2. After all the objects have been collected, the leader lays them on the ground and covers them with something.
3. The other players are invited to gather around the covered objects. Then the leader lifts the cover and counts to thirty as the other players study the objects, in an attempt to remember them. After thirty seconds, the objects are covered again.
4. Players then have 10 minutes to scavenge the area searching for each of the covered objects.
5. When the time is up, players return with their items and sit in a circle. It's time for the big reveal! The leader removes each object from under the cover, one at a time, and passes it around the circle.
6. As each item is passed, encourage kids to describe what they see, paying close attention to details. For example, instead of just saying, "It's a leaf" talk about what kind of leaf: is it an oak leaf? A maple leaf? A leave with a long stem? A crunchy leaf that's just turned orange? Pass each item around the circle and have each player describe what they see, drawing special attention to any curious features and talking about which animals might use it.
7. Once each item makes its way around the circle, players that found that same item on their search raise their hands and talk about where they found it.
8. All done? Have each player count the number of objects they found that match the ones the leader found. The player with the most matches is the winner!
9. Ask all the players to return each object wherever they found it. This tests their memory and tracking skills, and helps to preserve the environment.