One of my daughters is a collector. She collects rocks, soil samples, feathers, snail shells, dried insects, fur, and snake skins, to name a few of her favorite things. Over the years we've devised several ways to keep and store her prized collections without becoming buried alive.
My daughter is an active "junior entomologist," as well as geologist, to explain her fascination with dead bugs, dirt, and rocks. We've usually got some live insects and critters for observation around the house as well.
Recycled Containers for Nature Collections
- egg cartons
- berry boxes
- plastic food buckets with lids
- shoe boxes
- accordion files
- sandwich bags
Now, my daughter collects containers. Fortunately, egg cartons and berry boxes nestle and stack easily for compact storage. Egg cartons are also useful for sorting and storing buttons, beads, and other crafting items.
My daughter lines up egg cartons and berry boxes filled with rocks and snail shells for display along low window sills.
Useful Containers for Nature Collections
- tackle boxes
- tool boxes
One of my daughter's favorite possessions is her small upright toolbox with slideout drawers, each filled with treasures such as insect wings, moss, or tree needles.
Resources for Young Rock Collectors
Beverly Hill offers a guide to rock collecting for beginners, with steps for becoming a rockhound, learning to identify and collect rocks, minerals, and gems, and properly storing a rock collection.
Susan Caplan suggests activities for kids who collect rocks, such as collecting, sorting, displaying, and identifying, as well as making a paperweight, and playing some rock games.
Elece Hollis offers tips for starting a rock and fossil collection, learning about the earth's crust, using a field guide, and doing tests to identify and learn about specimens.
Resources for Young Insect Collectors
Susan Caplan suggests bug collecting as an easy fun outdoor activity for kids who like animals. She tells you what you'll need and offers some safety precautions as well.
Sally Anne Lewis provides science fair project ideas using insects. For kids who like animals, insects are practical choices.
Using the scientific method with children is a great way to help them stretch their observational and hypothesis-making abilities and think like a scientist. Observe, make a hypothesis, and experiment.
Scientific experiments are a fun way for kids who collect to use their finds in an interesting way and to learn more about these objects that fascinate them.
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Sara McGrath - Sara is a veteran homeschool mom of three, Usborne consultant, and the author of Unschooling: A Lifestyle of Learning.
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