How to make a bug pit, play with mealworms, examine snowflakes, make a spore print and preserve a spider web are just a few of the nature activities described in a new book for children.

Written by Susan S. Lang, Cornell University senior science writer, with the staff of the Cayuga Nature Center of Ithaca, N.Y., More Nature in Your Backyard: Simple Activities for Children (Millbrook Press, 1998) is intended for second- to fourth-grade readers.

With full-color illustrations by artist Sharon Lane Holm, children are led through 21 activities that require common materials found in most homes. The activities and experiments focus on insects, worms, birds, plants, snow and soil. Each activity illustrates a scientific concept, which is simply explained.

Numerous boxes detail additional information, such as the usefulness of insects, types of snow flakes, pollen grain shapes, spiders and silk, and diets based on grasses (written by Lang's 12-year-old daughter, Julia).

Lang, a former children's librarian, writes about science for Cornell University. She is the author of 10 other books, two of which are children's books, including the new book's prequel, Nature in Your Backyard, which was named an Outstanding Science Trade Book for Children by the Children's Book Council. The Cayuga Nature Center is a private, not-for-profit educational organization whose programs include environmental education, nature day camps, seasonal festivals and teacher-training workshops.