Through September, users of the North Olympic Library System can check out a backpack geared towards preschoolers to encourage exploration of the natural world.

Designed by the Burke Museum, each Backyard Scientist kit contains a magnifying lens, specimen viewer, collection boxes, bug net, binoculars, ideas for nature walk activities, a book, a feather, rock, shell and an insect.

Funded through a Thrive Washington grant and the Burke Museum, the backpacks are perfect to explore the outdoors with your young one without leaving one’s own backyard, library staff say.

“The backpacks and activity sheets do a great job of providing parent and caregivers with basic tools for open-ended conversation with preschoolers,” says Youth Services Librarian Jennifer Knight.

“The Burke Museum’s activity guide succinctly gives people ideas on how to get kids talking, thinking, and interpreting what they see, which is critical component of early literacy. The backpack also encourages people to explore nature, which can introduce kids to all kinds of new experiences and vocabulary words that can help them be more prepared for kindergarten.”

Backyard Scientist backpacks are available at each branch of the North Olympic Library System. Search for “backyard scientist” in the library catalog or ask for them at your local branch.

About the Burke

The Burke Museum is a research and collections based museum located in Seattle. It serves many audiences and communities including Washington state residents, tourists and visitors to Seattle, educators and students, Indigenous and Pacific communities, and researchers, scholars and enthusiasts.

For information on this and other library services for families, visit www.nols.org, email to Youth@nols.org or contact a local NOLS branch.