Busy Bee Pollination Station
A STEAM Activity for Elementary Students Bees, butterflies, and birds. They’re all pollinators. We need pollinators to produce the food we eat. Kids often know the basics. But, how does […]
From Goats to Graduate School: How Muddy Sneakers Shaped an Alumni’s Path
When Emma Gilliam participated in Muddy Sneakers (2013–2014) as a student at Hillandale Elementary School in Henderson County, she didn’t know the experience would stay with her for years. One […]
Winter Bird Beak Challenge
A Hands-On Science Activity All About Adaptations Discover How Birds Survive Winter Through Adaptations The Winter Bird Beak Challenge is an interactive science experiment that helps students understand how bird […]
Snow-to-Water Ratio Lab
A Simple Winter Science Experiment for Kids Explore Snow, Weather, and the Water Cycle at Home or School Winter weather offers the perfect opportunity for hands-on science learning. The Snow-to-Water […]
Tips for Year-End Giving
People like you help to power every step forward in Muddy Sneakers’ mission to connect children with the natural world. As 2025 comes to a close, your generosity can make […]
Nature Thankfulness Tree: A Simple Craft to Celebrate Gratitude
As fall settles in and the days grow cooler, the natural world offers a gentle reminder to slow down and appreciate the gifts around us. From the rustling of leaves […]
Seed Search & Sorting: A Hands-On Nature Activity for Curious Kids
When the air turns crisp and the leaves have fallen, the forest floor becomes a treasure map—one dotted with tiny clues about the plants that call North Carolina home. Late […]
NC State Evaluation Confirms: Muddy Sneakers Sparks Curiosity, Connection, and Joy in Learning
Each year, Muddy Sneakers partners with schools across North Carolina to bring science alive through hands-on, outdoor learning. At the end of each year, programs are evaluated by researchers at […]
August is National Make a Will Month
Please—don’t wait until it’s too late. We never think about how important it is to have an updated will—until the moment when everything unravels and we’re left trying to make […]
A Day Outside
What Fifth Graders Teach Us About Learning in Nature A Day Outside with Muddy Sneakers, by Hattie Fletcher, 2024–2025 Intern Learning Like It Matters By 11:15 a.m., one kid is […]