Kids Can Be Citizen Scientists

Published on 19 April 2025 at 05:05

Summer is just around the corner and our family is so excited to spend long days (and nights) outside. With the extra sunlight already lengthening our days, my kids are spending a ton of time outside and they are picking up on the changing seasons. Flowers are springing to life, bees and butterflies abound, woodpeckers are making a racket, and even snakes and frogs are beginning to emerge for summer.

 

April is Citizen Science Month and is the perfect time to get outside, observe the world around you, and join a citizen science project. Citizen science is a powerful way to connect kids with real-world science. It invites people of all ages (yes, even kids!) to collect data, make observations, and contribute to research projects that scientists use to study everything from bird migration to climate change. Let’s explore what citizen science is, why it matters, and how your family or classroom can get involved today.

 

What Is Citizen Science?

Citizen science is when everyday people collect and share scientific data. It is a reminder that we are all scientists! I will repeat this again and again. We are ALL scientists!  In Citizen Science projects, researchers rely on the help of volunteers to gather large-scale information they couldn’t get on their own.

I first learned about citizen science when I was in graduate school and heard one of our collaborators was collecting samples from citizen scientists for the American Gut Project. This project crowd sourced every day people to make key discoveries about the connection between diet, the gut microbiome, and overall health as described in the subsequent publication.

That’s just one example of the many projects where scientists crowd source data from citizens. From counting monarch butterflies to measuring rainfall, kids can play a meaningful role in scientific discovery. It’s real science — and kids love knowing that their observations matter.

 

Why Should Kids Get Involved?

Citizen science gives kids the chance to:

  • Engage in authentic science
  • Develop observation and data collection skills
  • Connect with nature in meaningful ways
  • See how science solves real-world problems
  • Make a positive impact on their environment

Plus, these projects are a great way to practice scientific thinking while getting outdoors and having fun. My kids love having a real reason to go outside and observe and will combine their love of imagination (pretending to be an explorer) with real-life skills.

Kid-Friendly Citizen Science Projects to Try

I desperately wanted to participate in the American Gut Project back in 2012 but wasn’t able to and it wasn’t kid-friendly either. However, there are MANY ongoing projects that are perfect kids. I’ve compiled some of the current citizen scientist programs that are appropriate for a wide age-range and a variety of interests from plants to insects to stars. Here are some top projects that are ideal for curious kids and beginner citizen scientists:

 

Tracking Multiple Categories (weather, insects, plants)

 

Globe Observer (NASA)

Best for: Observing clouds, mosquito habitats, and land cover
Ages: 10+, or younger with help

Kids can use a smartphone to collect atmospheric data that NASA uses to study climate and weather patterns.

 

iNaturalist & Seek App

Best for: Identifying plants, insects, fungi, and more
Ages: 6+ (Seek is especially kid-friendly)

Use your phone or tablet’s camera to identify living things in your yard or local park. Each observation helps scientists track biodiversity around the world. The Seek app offers badges, challenges, and privacy-safe participation.

Tracking Plants

 

Budburst

Best for: Tracking plant life cycle changes (phenology)
Ages: 10+, or younger with adult guidance

Observe when plants in your area bud, flower, or drop leaves. Budburst helps scientists study how climate affects seasonal plant behavior — and it’s a perfect pairing for garden or tree observations.

Tracking Animals

 

FrogWatch USA

Best for: Tracking frog and toad calls
Ages: 10+, with adult help

Each spring and summer, volunteers listen for frog calls in wetlands, ponds, or even neighborhood ditches. Your data helps monitor amphibian populations and water health.

 

Project FeederWatch or NestWatch

Best for: Tracking birds at feeders or nests
Ages: 8+

You don’t need to be a bird expert — just count what you see! Backyard bird watchers contribute valuable data about bird populations, migration, and nesting success.

 

HerpMapper (a favorite of mine since reptiles are near and dear to my heart)

Best for: Recording reptiles and amphibians
Ages: 10+, or younger with help

Spot a lizard, snake, frog, or turtle? HerpMapper lets kids contribute to conservation efforts by logging these sightings. It’s a great project for backyard nature explorers and herpetology lovers.

I'm excited to share this photo of the time we had a flock of turkeys come into our backyard. The entire neighborhood was tracking them - it was such a fun community building activity. Side note: turkeys can be really scary - they're huge! We tried to stay still.

Tracking Insects

 

Journey North: Monarch Butterfly Migration

Best for: Watching for monarch butterflies and milkweed
Ages: 8+

Report sightings of monarch butterflies, eggs, and milkweed plants as they migrate across North America. This project helps scientists understand migration patterns and habitat health.

 

Bumble Bee Watch

Best for: Identifying and reporting bumble bee sightings
Ages: 8+, with adult help for photography and uploading

Help researchers learn more about bumble bee populations and find rare or endangered species by snapping photos and submitting sightings. This is a great way to support pollinator conservation.

Tips for Getting Started

  • Choose a project that fits your location and interest. Love frogs? Try FrogWatch. Prefer bugs and plants? Start with Seek.
  • Set a regular observation time. Once a week works well for most projects.
  • Use journals or printable logs to keep track of findings. I have a free log printable HERE.
  • Follow safety guidelines, especially near water or when observing wildlife.
  • Celebrate participation! Badges, printable certificates, and sharing your contributions can build excitement. I have a few options below.

Check out these FREE DOWNLOADS to help you get started!

Make It a Learning Adventure

You can help curb summer learning loss by pairing your citizen science experience with fun educational activities by using writing, math, and critical thinking skills. Here are a few ways to incorporate academics with your observation adventures:

  • Create a pollinator journal to track insect visitors to flowers and practice math and writing.
  • Design a habitat map of your backyard or schoolyard to practice spatial awareness. This can be expanded to use math for calculating area or perimeter of different parts of the habitat.
  • Graph observations over time to look for patterns and utilize math skills.
  • Research a species you’ve spotted to exercise reading skills. Take it a step further and create a presentation about the species that includes it’s habit, food preference, and unique features.
  • Write a story about the plants or animals that are observed to enhance creative thinking and writing skills.

Science Belongs to Everyone

My favorite aspect of citizen science is the reminder that science belongs to everyone. We ALL use science every day and we can ALL be scientists in our own way. When kids realize they don’t have to be adults in lab coats to “do science,” a whole world opens up. Citizen science helps kids feel empowered, curious, and connected while giving them the chance to make a difference.

So grab a notebook, open a nature app, or sit quietly by a pond. You just might spot a butterfly, a frog, or a pattern that helps scientists protect our planet.

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