Rain or Shine Mamma

Rainy Day Fun: Painting With Mud!

Posted on June 2, 2014 Written by Linda McGurk 14 Comments

I live by the old Scandinavian saying "There's no bad weather, only bad clothes," which means that I'm also a big fan of my kids playing outside every day regardless of weather (within reason, of course - we don't go out during severe storms or … [Click to read the full article]

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How My Grandparents Got Me Hooked on Nature (And Why It Worked)

Posted on May 23, 2014 Written by Linda McGurk 18 Comments

One of the reasons why I feel so passionately about children spending time in nature is that it makes them more likely to protect the environment as adults. Many of our first, most cherished childhood memories originate from direct experiences in … [Click to read the full article]

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Build a Den! And Other Fun Things to Do with Sticks

Posted on May 15, 2014 Written by Linda McGurk 4 Comments

When it comes to nature play, sticks are some of my favorite toys - not the least because they're free and extremely versatile. What may just look like a typical stick to an adult can immediately be transformed to a sword, fairy wand or ladle in the … [Click to read the full article]

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Cooking with Nature: Stinging Nettle Soup

Posted on May 8, 2014 Written by Linda McGurk 2 Comments

Spring is the season for stinging nettles - and stinging nettle soup. Foraging for the main ingredient is half the fun! This is not a food blog and I'm definitely no expert cook, so I don't post recipes very often. However, if preparing a meal can … [Click to read the full article]

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Kids NEED More Nature! Here’s How to Make it Happen.

Posted on May 1, 2014 Written by Linda McGurk 10 Comments

If there's one thing that I'm constantly worrying about, it is that my kids are not spending enough time in nature. Sure, we go outside for at least a little bit every day. But my oldest daughter has long school days, my youngest goes to daycare most … [Click to read the full article]

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Spring Nature Walk: Learning about Wildflowers

Posted on April 22, 2014 Written by Linda McGurk 16 Comments

Dutchman's Breeches (Dicentra cucullaria)

Spring is a wonderful time of the year to go outside to explore all the changes that are taking place and watch everything come to life after the winter. I'm once again teaming up with a few of my fellow "Woodsy Mamas" to give you some great ideas … [Click to read the full article]

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Easy Outdoor Fun with Bread on a Stick

Posted on April 16, 2014 Written by Linda McGurk 10 Comments

Making bread on a stick is a classic outdoor activity for families in Scandinavia and something that made for unforgettable childhood experiences for me growing up. So needless to say, I was pretty excited to try it with my own girls for the first … [Click to read the full article]

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Recycling for Kids – A Fun and Simple Earth Day Activity

Posted on April 3, 2014 Written by Linda McGurk 6 Comments

In my opinion, every day should be Earth Day - a day when we celebrate nature and try our best to minimize our environmental footprint. But since I don't get to call the shots and our planet only gets one "official" holiday, we might as well make the … [Click to read the full article]

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5 Fantastic Butterfly Activities for Kids + a Giveaway!

Posted on March 24, 2014 Written by Linda McGurk 15 Comments

This year marks the 45th anniversary of the classic children's picture book The Hungry Little Caterpillar and to celebrate this and the official start of spring, I've put together five great butterfly activities for you to enjoy with the kiddos. I'm … [Click to read the full article]

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Spring Nature Study: Life and Death in the Forest

Posted on March 13, 2014 Written by Linda McGurk 20 Comments

Spring is finally here and what better way to experience the changes that are taking place outside right now than by taking the kids for a nature study in the woods? I follow the philosophy and tradition of the Scandinavian forest schools when … [Click to read the full article]