NHM, including the Spider Pavilion and Nature Gardens, is closed until further notice. View our COVID-19 Safety Guidelines for more information.

Learning Resources

Our Live Animal Care Staff are holding a rosy boa in a school group presentation

Video | GR 2-5 | PK-GR 1

Animal Meet & Greet: Fears and Phobias, Pt. 2

What makes us afraid of some animals?

Pink toed tarantula

Video

Animal Meet & Greet: Whiskers and Hairs, Pt. 1

Why do invertebrates need hairs? Meet some of our live animals and find out!

Text at top reads "It came from the Tar Pits!" with sketch of mouse

Reading | GR 6-12

It Came from the Tar Pits

Students birdwatching in Nature Garden

Lesson Plan | GR 2-5 | GR 6-12

Sounds of Nature

la brea tar pits shadow puppet workshop kids art craft program

Activity | All Grades

Make Your Own Ice Age Shadow Puppet!

In this activity, you can make your own shadow puppet, inspired by the animals we find at La Brea Tar Pits!

Group of boys with binoculars on a nature walk pointing up

Teacher Guide | All Grades

Integrate Community Science Into Your Classroom

Two kids hold up petri dishes. One kid uses a cell phone to take a photograph of an insect inside of the petri dish.

Teacher Guide | GR 2-5 | GR 6-12

Creating an iNaturalist Account

GI with guest at observation deck in nature gardens

Teacher Guide | All Grades

Using the Outdoor Classroom

Use this guide to take your teaching outdoors!

kids in the dry creek bed in the nature gardens

Activity | All Grades

Take a Nature Walk

You might be surprised to learn that you can take a nature walk anywhere!

painted lady butterfly on flower

Video | GR 2-5 | GR 6-12

Butterfly Scavenger Hunt