Skip to main content
Skip to main content
A collection of explorer backpacks and their contents

Eco-Explorer Backpack Kits

What are the Eco-Explorer backpack kits?

The collection of family-fun, Eco-Explorer backpack kits are designed to inspire eco-friendly living inside and out! These kits are a fun and educational option for families and relatives with visiting children. Developed by UF/IFAS Extension Sarasota County in partnership with Sarasota County Libraries, the Eco-Explorer backpack kits are available for free check-out with your library card at all Sarasota County Libraries locations.

Each Eco-Explorer backpack kit contains all you'll need to get started, including books, gear, and activities designed to inspire exploration for all ages. Click on a backpack kit name below to see (or hide) more content.

Explore Your World

  • Laminated Instructions, Activities, Resources and Dry Erase Marker
  • Magnifying Glass
  • Youth Binoculars
  • The Night Sky Planisphere
  • Underwater Observation Boat
  • Compass
  • Nature Circles: Schoolyard Adventure Cards
  • Set of 4 Florida Field Guides
  • “All the World” book by Liz Garton Scanlon
  • “Heroes of the Environment” book by Harriet Rohmer

Insect Investigator

  • Laminated instructions, activities, resources, and dry-erase marker
  • Hand lens
  • Insect vision scope
  • Life cycle blocks
  • Insect catcher
  • Camouflage ring activity
  • Insect rubbing plates
  • “Golden Guide: Insects” field guide by Clarence Cottam
  • “Ladybugs” book by Gail Gibbons
  • “How to Build an Insect” book by Roberta Gibson

Family Green Living

  • “Waste Invaders” comic by Joey Wiseler with activities and dry-erase marker
  • Plogging & Explore the World Without Leaving Your Home activity
  • Easy Go Green flashcards
  • Sustainable Development Goals trivia game
  • Water and Energy Conservation wheels
  • “Before We Eat: From Farm to Table” book by Pat Brisson
  • “World Without Fish” book by Mark Kurlansky
  • “The Red Bicycle” book by Jude Isabella
  • “The Earth Book” book by Todd Parr
  • “My Zero Waste Kitchen” book by Kate Turner

Wings in the Wild

  • Laminated instructions, activities, resources, and dry-erase marker
  • Nikon adult binoculars
  • Carson Hawk youth binoculars
  • “Kids Guide to Birds of Florida” book
  • “Florida Birds” laminated folding guide
  • Laminated checklist of Birds of Sarasota County

Why Explore Your World?

Recent studies show that time in nature:

  • builds confidence,
  • promotes creativity and imagination,
  • teaches responsibility,
  • provides stimulation,
  • gets kids moving,
  • inspires thinking, and
  • reduces stress and fatigue.

These effects benefit both children AND adults. And, the benefits last beyond the time spent in nature.

How to Explore Your World

two children walk on a trail through a nature setting, exploring along the way. [credit: uf/ifas]Just follow these simple steps:

  1. Use your library card to check out an Explore Your World backpack at any Sarasota County library, for free.
  2. Look through the Explore Your World kit items and activities.
  3. Review the “How to Explore” and “Exploring Safely” sections of the kit's activity book.
  4. Grab an adult and head out to your yard, a park, or any other green space.
  5. Explore!

Visit this page to find and print activities (or you can do this at your local library), see book suggestions, and get more fun ideas to do with your family… from your neighborhood to nature!

More resources to Explore Your World

Printable activity pages:

  • and outdoor challenge
  • and birding
  • and shell sorting
  •  (night sky map) and nocturnal animals)
  • and orienteering

Explore Your World Informational Videos

NOTE: When you're done exploring, make sure to pack all the kit items (clean and in good condition) in your backpack and return it to a Sarasota County library. Your fellow Explorers are counting on you!

Places to Explore Outdoors

The Eco-Explorer backpack kits are designed so that you can use them just about anywhere. So, explore your yard, your neighborhood, a local park, or other natural area. Take it to any of our wonderful Sarasota County parks. Journey to Oscar Scherer State Park, Myakka River State Park, or The Bay. Or, find a park in the City of Sarasota, North Port, or Venice.

an adult and two children play on an ocean-side beach, as a fisherman stands waist-deep in waves off shore and the sun sets on the horizon. [credit: uf/ifas]
QR code shortcut to Explore Your World backpack program user surveyPlease complete our short survey and share your experience with the Eco-Explorer backpack kits. Sharing your story and/or a photo will enter you into a drawing to receive one of the items from the backpacks.
QUESTIONS?
Email: sarasota@ifas.ufl.edu
Phone: 941-861-5000 or 941-861-9900

Explore Your World Survey

QR code shortcut to Explore Your World backpack program user surveyPlease complete our short survey and share your experience with the Explore Your World backpack. Sharing your story and/or a photo will enter you into a drawing to receive one of the items from the backpack.