Leaf hunt: the springtime activity that breathes

An activity your kids will love (yes, really!)

It's a common misconception that identifying trees won't interest children... yet! I've seen my own children challenge each other to see who could identify the most different tree species and proudly share this knowledge with their friends. My kids love trees; they even named the trees they climb, Gérald and Micheline.

Don't see this suggestion as just another educational activity to squeeze into an already busy schedule. Instead, think of it as a moment of connection that naturally fits into your daily life. These walks perfectly embody the spirit of our "planning that breathes":

For us, these explorations are done without a watch or a schedule – sometimes 15 minutes on the way home from school, sometimes an entire morning on the weekend. The children set the pace, and it's often them who remind us to check if "our" oak tree has started to bud.

Learning happens joyfully and almost by accident, between two chases or the discovery of an insect. One day, you'll realize that the whole family can spontaneously name a dozen trees – without ever feeling like they were studying.

These moments create precious memories – my daughter still remembers the time she discovered the difference between a fir and a spruce by rolling their needles between her fingers, a secret she proudly shares with her friends.

The beauty of this activity lies in its spread over time – we follow "our" trees week by week, observing the subtle transformations that spring brings to them. This slowness is a perfect antidote to our generally rushed lives.

Children's natural curiosity finds an ideal playground here. Discovering plants whose leaves are filled with a substance that looks like glue, cocoons filled with what almost looks like feathers. "How does the tree know it's spring?" These questions open up wonderful conversations that would never have happened in front of the TV or while waiting for big brother's hockey game to end.

Pokémon vs. Trees: A Revealing Paradox

It was François Cardinal in his book "Perdu sans la nature" (Lost Without Nature) who pointed out the surprising fact that our children can effortlessly memorize the names, types, and evolutions of hundreds of Pokémon, yet often struggle to identify five tree species in their own environment. This paradox reveals less a lack of ability than a question of exposure and cultivated interest.

This observation is not a criticism of Pokémon or children's modern interests, but rather an invitation to redirect some of this formidable learning capacity towards the concrete natural world – the one they can touch, smell, and interact with every day.

A Multi-Stage Exploration

The advantage of this activity is that it doesn't need to be done all at once. It can naturally spread over days and weeks, thus respecting your family's rhythm:

First step: Awakening the Senses (15-30 minutes)

During an ordinary walk in your neighborhood or a nature outing, simply take the time to notice the different shades of green around you.

• Invite the children to gently touch the new leaves

• Compare their texture: some are fuzzy, others smooth or waxy

• Observe the different shapes: serrated, oval, fan-shaped

No need to identify anything at this stage – the goal is simply to awaken curiosity and attention.

Second step: Relaxed Collection (30-45 minutes)

On another outing, bring a paper bag or a small notebook to collect a few specimens (always being careful to respect nature):

• Gently pick one or two leaves from each type of tree you encounter

• Place them between two pages of your notebook or in separate pockets

• Optionally, take photos of the entire tree to help you identify it later

No pressure here either: if you only collect two or three varieties, that's perfectly fine. There will be other opportunities.

Third step: Stress-Free Identification (20-30 minutes)

Back home, during a quiet moment, browse through an identification guide together or use an app like PlantNet to discover the names of the trees whose leaves you collected.

Common species in Quebec you might encounter include:

• Yellow birch (our provincial emblem)

• Sugar maple or red maple

• Red oak

• American beech

• Trembling aspen

Feel free to write the names directly on the pages of your notebook, next to the pressed specimens.

Turning Learning into Play: The Tree Memory Game

Once you've identified a few species, why not create a game that will solidify this knowledge while providing shared moments of fun? The tree memory game is perfect for this. Plus, it will certainly occupy a protected time slot in your family schedule. An activity that children can do without your help while you read a few pages of your book.

Materials needed:

• Blank cards of the same size (cardstock cut in half works perfectly)

• A pair of leaves from each tree species you have identified

• Glue stick

• A marker to write the names of the trees (optional)

Making the game:

1. Glue each tree leaf onto the cards using the glue stick. You can also add the name of the represented species under the leaf.

2. Then shuffle all the cards and place them face down on a table, arranging them like a grid.

3. In turn, each player flips over two cards. If they form a pair, they keep them and play again. Otherwise, they flip them back over, and it's the next player's turn.

4. The player with the most pairs at the end of the game wins.

This simple game can be brought out during downtime, when children are bored, or on a rainy evening.

The Secret of an Activity That Breathes

The beauty of this tree exploration lies in its lack of pressure and its ability to naturally integrate into your daily life. Here are a few principles to ensure it stays true to the spirit of "planning that breathes":

• Don't set ambitious goals: you don't need to identify all the trees in your region. Even by knowing only 3 or 4, you will have enriched your connection with your environment.

• Integrate this activity into your usual commutes: the walk to school, walking the dog, or a trip to the park can become opportunities for observation.

• Let children's interest guide the experience: some will be fascinated by shapes, others by names or the history of trees. Follow their curiosity rather than imposing an approach.

• Accept interruptions: if the activity is neglected for a few weeks, it's not a big deal. It can be resumed at any time.

Conclusion: An Activity Reflecting Your "Breathing" Schedule

This spring exploration of tree species perfectly illustrates what we have advocated throughout our article: family organization that allows for wonder, spontaneity, and everyone's natural rhythm.

In a world where attention is constantly solicited and fragmented, taking the time to notice the subtle difference between a maple leaf and an oak leaf is an almost revolutionary act. It is to affirm that slowness has its place, that careful observation has value, and that the connections we weave – with nature and with each other – are precious.

As spring unfolds its symphony of tender greens, offer yourselves these moments of shared discovery. Your family planning will breathe better... and so will you.

Although this article complements our "Family Planning That Breathes" dossier, it can be enjoyed independently as an invitation to slow down and observe awakening nature.