{"id":299949,"date":"2023-06-29T14:47:23","date_gmt":"2023-06-29T14:47:23","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.natgeokids.com\/uk\/?post_type=parents&#038;p=299949"},"modified":"2025-11-06T17:09:16","modified_gmt":"2025-11-06T17:09:16","slug":"make-a-magnifier","status":"publish","type":"parents","link":"https:\/\/www.natgeokids.com\/nz\/parents\/make-a-magnifier\/","title":{"rendered":"How to make a magnifier!"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<p>There&#8217;s a whole world of life on the ground below us all the time &#8211; but it can be tricky for kids to stop and take notice. Use these simple instructions to help them build a magnifier to explore this important microhabitat&#8230; <\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">How to use your magnifier<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>First, get kids used to the magnifier by looking through it with one eye, then the other, then both. (They should be looking through the outward curve of the lens.) Try holding the magnifier at various distances from their eyes to figure out what works best. Then encourage kids to get down on the ground to discover details they might miss by just walking around. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Use these observational prompts and activities to help children learn about biodiversity: <\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>&#8211; Name everything you see on the ground. <\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>&#8211; What do you see that&#8217;s surprising? <\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>&#8211; How many different types of plants can you spot? What&#8217;s different about them? Their patterns? Colours? Textures? <\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>&#8211; Can you follow something that crawls? Where does it go? What other critters does it pass on its journey? <\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>&#8211; Have children sketch their observations or write a poem or short story about the newly explored microhabitat beneath their feet.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p>Looking for other ways to get kids excited about nature? <a href=\"https:\/\/www.natgeokids.com\/nz\/newsletter-sign-up\/?articlelink=NGKwebsite\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Sign up to Nat Geo Kids&#8217; Family Newsletter for inspiring activities, news and more in your inbox every week. <\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Make a difference!<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Now that kids understand that the ground is more than just dirt and grass, inspire them to protect it. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Here are some ideas&#8230; <\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>&#8211; If kids see litter, help them pick it up. Too much rubbish can prevent plants from growing and disturb critters&#8217; homes. <\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>&#8211; If your family has been exploring a new area, clean your shoes afterwards. Seeds of non-native plants can track in on the soles, and those invasive species can push out native plants that keep the ecosystem healthy. <\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>&#8211; Kids might want to pick flowers to bring home, but teach them to pick only a few. Removing too many plants from a habitat robs critters of food and shelter. Natural plants also prevent erosion. The same goes for rocks or even <a href=\"https:\/\/www.natgeokids.com\/nz\/parents\/fossil-hunting-guide\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">fossils<\/a>.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p>And when you&#8217;re finished with this craft, try something else! Make our <a href=\"https:\/\/www.natgeokids.com\/nz\/parents\/ecofriendly-slime\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">eco-friendly slime<\/a> or check out these <a href=\"https:\/\/www.natgeokids.com\/[COUNTRY_SUF\/parents\/how-families-can-save-the-earth\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">20 ways families can help save the Earth<\/a>. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<h6 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Written by Ella Schwartz. Photographs by Shannon Hibberd.<\/h6>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">How to make a magnifier<\/h2>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>There&#8217;s a whole world of life on the ground below us all the time &#8211; but it can be tricky for kids to stop and take notice. Use these simple instructions to help them build a magnifier to explore this important microhabitat&#8230; How to use your magnifier First, get kids used to the magnifier by &hellip; <a href=\"https:\/\/www.natgeokids.com\/nz\/parents\/make-a-magnifier\/\" class=\"more-link\">Continue reading <span class=\"screen-reader-text\">How to make a magnifier!<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"featured_media":299963,"parent":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","template":"","class_list":["post-299949","parents","type-parents","status-publish","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","countries-australia","countries-ireland","countries-new-zealand","countries-united-kingdom"],"acf":[],"yoast_head":"<!-- This site is optimized with the Yoast SEO plugin v27.4 - https:\/\/yoast.com\/product\/yoast-seo-wordpress\/ -->\n<title>Make a magnifier | Easy craft for families | Parents | Nat Geo Kids<\/title>\n<meta name=\"description\" content=\"Reveal the amazing animals that live right below your kids&#039; feet with this easy magnifier craft. 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