Children are curious about the wonders of autumn. They would ponder nature’s beauty of leaves changing colours and trees dropping treasures. Even if you have witnessed many autumns, you may still be impressed by the beauty.
Autumn in the forest is so magical. Raindrops look like jewels, and the towering trees provide the perfect backdrop to an array of colours from pink to brown and sounds that tell the story of squirrels arguing over the last acorn.
Squirrels can be found in urban parks and gardens, perfect for everyday observations since many of us live in cities. Today, a squirrel was resting in our front garden, and yesterday we saw one jumping from branch to branch in the backyard.
Do squirrels ever forget where they put their nuts?
Yes, that is the short answer, but not as much as we seem to think they do. Squirrels are actually very good at remembering where they have left their nuts. Squirrels use a combination of cues and landmarks to remember where they have buried their treasures. But they may also use their sense of smell to help them. Nuts are often not buried very deep, so they may be able to smell them. And if they do not retrieve the nut, that is not necessarily because they have forgotten where they buried it.
Interestingly, squirrels may steal each other’s acorns. Squirrels may fake-hide their acorns to fool another squirrel watching them.
Why not draw a food map to help the squirrel to find his food?
The map we made used real hazelnuts and acorns. A perfect way to use the little autumn treasures that tend to end up in your pockets only to be forgotten. Making up names for different areas of the map is a great way to learn to identify different autumn nuts and leaves – Lands of the Acorns and About Here Hazelnuts.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is biomimicry?
Biomimicry is the practice of looking to nature for solutions, then applying what we learn to design and problem-solving. Instead of inventing from scratch, it means studying how plants, animals, and ecosystems have already solved a challenge — like staying cool, collecting water, or absorbing carbon — and adapting that strategy for human use.
How does biomimicry help address climate change?
Nature has been adapting to extreme conditions for billions of years, so many organisms already hold working solutions to problems we now face at a larger scale — cooling buildings without electricity (termite mounds), collecting water in drought (the Namib beetle), protecting coastlines from storms (mangrove roots), and capturing carbon (corals, forests, kelp). Biomimicry means studying those solutions and applying the same principles to human design.
How can children get involved in biomimicry?
Children don’t need special training to think like a biomimicrist — just curiosity and a habit of asking “how does nature solve this?” Simple ways to start include a backyard scavenger hunt for nature’s patterns, a “design-an-animal” challenge for a changing climate, or building a small model (like a passive-cooling structure or a water collector) inspired by something they’ve observed outdoors.
Is biomimicry only for scientists and engineers?
No — biomimicry is as much a mindset as a profession. Anyone can practice it by observing nature closely and asking design questions. Professional biomimicry practitioners apply it in architecture, materials science, and engineering, but the same core skill — careful observation followed by “what if we built it that way?” — is exactly what this post’s classroom and family activities are designed to build in children.
Åsa Jomård
In 2015, Åsa completed a course in Biomimicry: A Sustainable Design Methodology at Minneapolis College of Art and Design. With over 10 years of experience exploring nature for inspiration and as a former member of Ben, Biomimicry Education Network, she brings both academic background and creative teaching experience to her work. Her materials seamlessly integrate stories, nature observations, and design challenges, making them perfect for inquiry-led learning in early primary contexts.
AI was used as a Thinking Partner.
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