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.

Learn about each kit below.

Explore Your World backpack kit

...from your neighborhood to nature

The Explore Your World kit is designed to help explorers of all ages get outside and explore their world. Each kit includes books, gear, and activities designed to inspire exploration for all ages... from your neighborhood to nature! 

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

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
  • Explore Your World: Sensory Scavenger Hunt
  • Explore Your World: Magnifying Glass and outdoor challenge
  • Explore Your World: Binoculars and birding
  • Explore Your World: Underwater Explorer Boat and shell sorting
  • Explore Your World: Planisphere (night sky map) and nocturnal animals)
  • Explore Your World: Compass and orienteering
• Explore Your World: Continue Exploring (Book List)

Insect Investigator backpack kit

Investigate the incredible (and tiny) world of insects. Learn about the different kinds of insects, how and what they eat, how they see, how they’ve adapted to survive, and more.

Family Green Living backpack kit

Explore sustainability with the interactive Family Green Living Kit—a gateway to eco-friendly fun and learning for all ages. Foster an understanding of conservation, sustainability concepts, and encourage environmental stewardship as a family!

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!

Looking for places to go 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.

Please 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.