October nights bring all kinds of mysterious sounds and sights — including owls! These nighttime birds are fascinating to children because they’re awake while we sleep. Owls are perfectly adapted for life in the dark: they have incredible eyesight, special feathers for silent flight, and a unique call that echoes through the night.
Exploring how owls see in the dark is a fun way to connect science, imagination, and play. With a few simple materials, your preschoolers can pretend to have “owl eyes” and discover how being nocturnal changes the way animals experience the world.
📚 Picture Book Connection
Read: Owl Moon by Jane Yolen
This classic story captures the magic of going out on a quiet winter night in search of owls. Its poetic language and gentle pace set the mood for exploring nocturnal animals.
Other options:
- Little Owl’s Night by Divya Srinivasan
- Owls by Gail Gibbons (nonfiction)
Try This STEAM Activity: Owl Eyes Play
Invite children to explore how owls might see at night.
You’ll Need:
- Cardboard tubes (paper towel or toilet paper rolls)
- Tape or string (to make binocular “owl eyes”)
- A darkened classroom corner or blanket fort
How to Play:
- Give each child two cardboard tubes taped together to make “owl eyes.”
- Dim the lights (or create a cozy dark space with a blanket fort).
- Invite children to look around with their “owl eyes.”
- Hide a few simple objects (like feathers, toy mice, or stuffed animals) and let children try to spot them.
Variation: Add sound by playing owl calls or inviting children to “hoot” to each other in the dark.
🔄 STEAM Connections
- Science: Learn how owls are adapted to be nocturnal.
- Technology: Use flashlights to compare human sight vs. owl sight in the dark.
- Engineering: Build simple “owl eyes” binoculars with cardboard tubes.
- Art: Decorate the tubes to look like owl faces.
- Math: Sort animals into two groups: nocturnal vs. diurnal.
👩🏫 Teacher Tip
Remind children that dark play can feel exciting or a little spooky, and that’s okay! Create a safe, cozy environment where everyone feels comfortable.
Owls are a perfect way to explore the mystery of nighttime in a playful, preschool-friendly way. By pretending to see like an owl, children practice observation, imagination, and problem-solving, all while connecting to the wonder of the natural world.
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