Acorn Naturalists

03/12/2026

Did you know a monarch butterfly can travel up to 3,000 miles — and somehow find its way? Monarch Butterflies, written by Ana Hobbie and illustrated by Olga Baumert is a beautiful exploration of the monarch's journey. 🌼 Explore the book: https://www.acornnaturalists.com/monarch-butterflies-explore-the-life-journey-of-one-of-the-winged-wonders-of-the-world.html

As the book considers how human behavior has harmed monarchs, it also offers substantive ways that kids can help make a positive difference:
• Join community science efforts.
• Grow plants that are essential for monarch's health and habitat.
• Help count a monarch population near you.

Together, we can create a brighter future for these incredible butterflies.

03/06/2026

🐝🦋 What's with all the buzz about pollinators? Is it their beauty? Their diversity? The abundant beneficial services they grace the planet with? Their amazing adaptations? It's all of the above, isn't it? Read our latest newsletter for more: https://mailchi.mp/acornnaturalists/june-newsletter-18256692

02/18/2026

🌱 Spring is on the mind, and with it, the season of abundant backyard exploring. Explore the Get Outdoors!® Young Explorer Field Pack for easy adventuring: https://www.acornnaturalists.com/get-outdoors-r-young-explorer-field-pack.html

02/07/2026

Happy weekend everyone! We challenge all young explorers (or the young at heart) to pick TWO quests from these .

Here are a few options:
🐜 Find an anthill (from the Nature Quest Fundana® Bandana)
☀ Find a circle in nature (Nature Quest Fundana® Bandana)
🏠 Build a tiny shelter for a small animal (Knee High to Rainy Days Fundana®)
🍀Find a leaf that a bug has chewed (Knee High to Rainy Days Fundana®)
🚫 Stop. Slow down. Listen. What do you hear? (Nature Quest Fundana® Bandana)

Let us know how it goes or what you notice!

02/04/2026

Need a quick idea for a weekend activity or your next nature art lesson? ☀Turn sunlight into art and science with a Super Sunprint® Kit: https://www.acornnaturalists.com/super-sunprintr-kit.html

Perfect for connecting art and science, documenting nature collections, creating handmade cards, or simply making outdoor exploration more memorable.

Also pictured: Nature Circles® Activity Cards for Young Children.

12/23/2025

❄ Happy Holidays! Please note our holiday hours in the coming weeks. We are a tiny team and we value rest for all our staff. They work hard to deliver the best educational resources to you each year. We're so grateful for them!

Monday, Dec. 22: Open usual hours (7am-4pm PST).
Tuesday, Dec. 23: Open usual hours.
Wednesday, Dec. 24: Closed.
Thursday, Dec. 25: Closed.
Friday, Dec. 26: Closed.

❄ [Weekend] ❄

Monday, Dec. 29: Open for customer service only (not shipping).
Tuesday, Dec. 30: Closed.
Wednesday, Dec. 31: Closed.
Thursday: Jan. 1: Closed.
Friday: Jan. 2: Closed.

❄ [Weekend] ❄

12/19/2025

2026 is nearly here—are you ready to begin a new chapter in EE? Shop our book sale with the North American Association for Environmental Education - NAAEE, now until Dec. 31: bit.ly/NAAEE2025Bookstore.

Looking for some cozy cold-weather reads? The NAAEE bookstore at Acorn Naturalists has books from your favorite NAAEE and NatStart conference speakers and awardees on sale. Buy one book at regular price; two books for 20% off; three books for 30% off; or four or more books for 40% off. Discount will display at checkout.

Shop the sale until December 31 at bit.ly/NAAEE2025Bookstore.

12/18/2025

One of our favorite times of year! California students in kindergarten through 12th grade can submit artwork or poetry about California's coast and ocean by January 31, 2025.

Shoutout to the California Coastal Commission for making this happen! 10 winners will receive gift certificates to Blick Art Materials or a bookstore, plus four tickets to the Aquarium of the Pacific. Each winner’s teacher will receive a gift certificate from Acorn Naturalists.

🎨Winning art and poetry will be part of a traveling exhibit through the end of 2025. Learn more: https://www.coastal.ca.gov/art-poetry/

California students in kindergarten through 12th grade can submit artwork or poetry about California's coast and ocean by January 31, 2025.

Ten winners will receive a $100 gift certificate to Blick Art Materials or a bookstore, plus four tickets to Aquarium of the Pacific. Each winner’s teacher will receive a $50 gift certificate from Acorn Naturalists.

Winning art and poetry will be part of a traveling exhibit through the end of 2025. Learn more: https://www.coastal.ca.gov/art-poetry/

12/18/2025

This holiday season, remember that you can take breaks! You can "go for a walk... and be aware of one color at a time." One extra reason to have this handy set of activity cards nearby, for both "young children" and the young at heart. 💚

Buy for yourself or a friend: https://www.acornnaturalists.com/products/field-guides/by-series-nature-circles-guides/nature-circlesr-activity-cards-for-young-children.html

12/01/2025

🚨PSA! Wombats 💩 in cubes and penguins 💩 in squirts. P**p Bingo is a seriously great way to introduce a unit on tracking or to be silly with your friends and family.

Explore the game: https://www.acornnaturalists.com/poop-bingo.html

11/27/2025

To all of the educators, parents, park staff, interpreters, museum staff, children, scientists, and more: Thank you for tending curiosity. We're grateful for the beautiful world you work so hard to cultivate and give back to.

💛 From your friends at Acorn Naturalists 💛

Photo: South American Gray Fox (Lycalopex griseus)