Take a micro-hike into a tiny world and discover what lives there.

What You’ll Need:

• String
• Safe scissors
• Short stakes
• Magnifying glasses
• Paper and toothpicks (optional)

Step 1: Measure out about 20 to 30 feet of string. Tie each end to a short stake, such as a tent stake.

Step 2: Take your string and stakes outdoors and stretch the string across an area with some variation. You might run it across part of a lawn, under an arching shrub, and alongside a flower bed.

Step 3: Secure the line with more stakes if necessary. Keep in mind that the string doesn’t have to be straight; it can run along the base of a fence or beside a pond or stream.

Step 4: Start at one end of the string on your hands and knees. Make sure that you and every person who will be “hiking” with you has a magnifying glass. Use your magnifying glasses to examine everything under the string.

Step 5: Look for different kinds of plants, including moss between the grass blades or under a shrub. Look for fungi of different forms. Find animals such as insects, spiders, and worms.

Step 6: Move slowly down the string, searching for every living thing you can find. You might end up taking a whole hour to hike! You never know what interesting things you’ll find.

Step 7: When you’re done, write down what you’ve seen or compare your observations with those of others who hiked with you. What interesting things did they see that you missed?

Step 8: After discussing your discoveries, use paper and toothpicks to make tiny signs to mark the most interesting ones. Then invite others to take your hike!