Imagine the jubilation when the kids found an Eastern Box Turtle in the yard this morning. Unfortunately for him, they had given him a ride around the yard and several turns on the slide before we realized that what they had was really and truly a turtle, and rescued him. (And yes, we made everyone wash their hands thoroughly!)
He was very tightly closed in his shell, and had either started hibernating now that we’ve had some cooler temperatures, or he was smart enough to realize that no good could come of poking anything out.
I gently put him outside the fence (the kids asked if he was in “turtle jail,” and I told them, “Yes, in protective custody.”) in the sun so he’d warm up, and eventually, he poked his head out and took a good look around.
If you’re not lucky enough to find a box turtle in your back yard, you could visit one at a nature center or zoo as a jumping off point for a turtle themed lesson.
Here are 5 Awesome Turtle Lesson Resources!
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Learn more about box turtles here.
- Learn the Turtle song with your kiddos
- Do an easy turtle shell craft.
- Find a turtle story book to share with your kids.
- Bone up on your turtle facts.
