• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
  • Skip to footer

sloely

enjoying life slowed down

  • clutter free
  • simply frugal
  • natural remedies
  • grow your own
  • non toxic living
  • Simple Parenting

Exploring Catkins With Kids

February 23, 2018 by Alice Leave a Comment

Simple ways to explore catkins with kids and help them understand how they are pollinated so the tree grows new seeds and fruit #nature #plants #trees #pollination

It may still be winter.

BUT the trees are already hard at work on this year’s seeds.

The first blossoms are just emerging.

BUT their cousins the catkins have been out since Christmas.

And this is a wonderful time to explore the catkins with your kids.

And help them discover how catkins – like blossom – allow trees to produce new seeds.

So what exactly is a catkin?
 

What Is A Catkin?

Basically a catkin is a pollen head – as on any flower – but minus the petals.

And it doesn’t have petals because it is optimised for wind pollination.

All those flouncy pink and white skirts get in the way of spring winds that can spread the pollen.

With no petals, catkins may not be as glamorous but come in all shapes and sizes.

Simple ways to explore catkins with kids and help them understand how they are pollinated so the tree grows new seeds and fruit #nature #plants #trees #pollination
 

Catkins In All Shapes & Sizes

The catkins on the willow are immaculately fur-like as they shed their protective black caps.

They really do feel like cat’s fur when you stroke them.

Until the pollen heavy stamen stand out so the wind can do its work.

Simple ways to explore catkins with kids and help them understand how they are pollinated so the tree grows new seeds and fruit #nature #plants #trees #pollination

Other catkins – like the hazel – are more like lamb tails dangling in the wind.

https://sloely.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/02/HazelCatkins.mp4

 
But the hazel catkin – amongst others – also has a trick up it’s sleeve.

IT doesn’t just have ONE catkin.

It has TWO different types.

Simple ways to explore catkins with kids and help them understand how they are pollinated so the tree grows new seeds and fruit #nature #plants #trees #pollination

Can you see that cluster of tiny purple stamen at the top?

THAT is actually the female catkin.

Each hazel tree produces BOTH male and female catkins.

BUT the tiny female needs pollination with pollen blown from a different tree.

 

What Catkins Can You Find?

As you’re out and about keep your eyes peeled for different catkins.

You could hit the park or woods and go on a catkin scavenger hunt.

AND see how many different varieties you can find.

It totally doesn’t matter if you know the names or not.

The important bit is noticing the differences.

And wondering about them …

  1. Do they hang up or down?
  2. Are they smooth or rough?
  3. What colour are they?
  4. Are there different types on the same tree?
  5. Are they single or in clusters?
  6. Do they have pollen on them yet you can rub off?
  7. Are they ready for the wind to blow through?

AND if you’ve got a magnifying glass.

Or even more wonderful – when you get home – a little microscope.

Have a look at the catkin and the pollen close up.

They are beautiful miniature worlds to be observed.

I do hope you have fun exploring the catkins near you.

And for more nature fun with kids do check out my other nature posts.

And follow my new Facebook page – it’s all about kids enjoying nature.

Simple ways to explore catkins with kids and help them understand how they are pollinated so the tree grows new seeds and fruit #nature #plants #trees #pollination

Filed Under: Plant Life Cycle Activities For Kids Tagged With: Pollination Activities For Kids, Seed Formation And Dispersal Activity

Previous Post: « How To Grow Your Own Mushrooms
Next Post: 30 Daily Declutter Challenges »

Reader Interactions

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Primary Sidebar



PRIVACY - DISCLOSURE - ADVERTISE - COPYRIGHT

Footer

Clutter free …

Gentle Declutter Method - Just 10 Things
Declutter List Of Things To Declutter Right Now

Grow your own …

Spring Vegetable Planting List
Natural Mosquito Repellents For Garden And Camping
How To Grow Raspberries In A Small Garden
Growing Rosemary From Cuttings In Water

Natural remedies …

FODMAP Diet, IBS & Stomach Pain
Anti Inflammation Diet
The Fastest Ways To Reduce Inflammation
PRIVACY - DISCLOSURE - ADVERTISE - COPYRIGHT

Copyright © 2023 · Foodie Pro Theme by Shay Bocks · Built on the Genesis Framework · Powered by WordPress

This website uses cookies to improve your experience. We'll assume you're ok with this, but you can opt-out if you wish.Accept Read More
Privacy & Cookies Policy

Privacy Overview

This website uses cookies to improve your experience while you navigate through the website. Out of these, the cookies that are categorized as necessary are stored on your browser as they are essential for the working of basic functionalities of the website. We also use third-party cookies that help us analyze and understand how you use this website. These cookies will be stored in your browser only with your consent. You also have the option to opt-out of these cookies. But opting out of some of these cookies may affect your browsing experience.
Necessary
Always Enabled
Necessary cookies are absolutely essential for the website to function properly. This category only includes cookies that ensures basic functionalities and security features of the website. These cookies do not store any personal information.
Non-necessary
Any cookies that may not be particularly necessary for the website to function and is used specifically to collect user personal data via analytics, ads, other embedded contents are termed as non-necessary cookies. It is mandatory to procure user consent prior to running these cookies on your website.
SAVE & ACCEPT