Wildlife Camera Trap Project
Set up a trail camera in your yard to capture photos of nocturnal wildlife — raccoons, deer, foxes, and owls — then review and identify the visitors.
What You'll Need
- 1Trail camera (wildlife camera with motion sensor)
- 2SD card
- 3Batteries
- 4Mounting strap
- 5Wildlife field guide for identification
What You'll Need
A trail camera with motion sensor (available at outdoor retailers; basic models start around $30)
An SD card for storing photos
Batteries (most trail cameras use AA)
A mounting strap for attaching to a tree
A wildlife field guide for identifying visitors
How to Play
Get a trail camera. These are motion-activated cameras designed for outdoor use — they're waterproof, night-vision equipped, and run on batteries for weeks. Basic models are surprisingly affordable.
Scout your yard for the best placement. Look for: water sources (birdbaths, puddles), fence gaps where animals squeeze through, worn paths in grass or mud, and areas near compost or garden beds.
Mount the camera on a tree or fence post at about knee height. Face it north to avoid sun glare triggering false captures. Angle it along a path, not across it, so animals stay in frame longer.
Set the date and time stamp feature. This tells you exactly when each visitor arrived — critical data for understanding animal behavior.
Leave the camera undisturbed for 48-72 hours. Resist checking early. The longer you wait, the more data you collect.
Review photos together on a computer. Identify each species using your field guide. Note the times. "A raccoon at 2 AM! A deer at 5 AM! The neighbor's cat at 11 PM." Compile your findings in a wildlife log.
Tips
You'll be amazed what lives in your yard after dark. Even suburban yards host raccoons, opossums, foxes, deer, owls, and coyotes in many areas.
Move the camera to a new location every week. Different spots reveal different species and travel patterns.
Contribute your sightings to iNaturalist or eBird. Your data becomes part of real scientific databases used by researchers.
A trail camera transforms a backyard from a known quantity into a mystery. What shows up after everyone goes to sleep? Now you know.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long does this activity take?
This activity takes about 60 min, with 15 min of preparation time beforehand.
What materials do I need?
You'll need: trail camera (wildlife camera with motion sensor), sd card, batteries, mounting strap, wildlife field guide for identification.
What age is this activity for?
This activity is designed for 8-12 years. You can adapt it for younger or older children by adjusting the complexity.
Does this need to be done outdoors?
This activity is best done outdoors where kids have space to move and explore.
How difficult is this activity?
This activity has a moderate difficulty level. It may require some preparation or guidance, but is manageable for most families.
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