We all get busy, and between school, homework, dinner and getting ready for bed, there isn't always a whole lot of time for children to play outside during the work week. My oldest daughter just started kindergarten and even though her homework and after-school activities are pretty minimal at the … [Read more...]
How to Do a Small Animal Nature Study
My kids love critters. Squirmy, slithering, hairy, slimy, spiny critters. They swoon for caterpillars, centipedes, moths, crickets, earthworms, grubs, slugs, craw dads, leeches and spiders. I have yet to find a critter that they didn't want to pick up and subject to a small animal nature study. Me? … [Read more...]
Make a Nature Collage
Children are natural collectors, so why not use their finds to make a fun piece of nature art? Best age range: 2-7 Location: An area where natural materials are abundant and you're allowed to collect items from nature, for example a wooded backyard, park etc. Materials: Cardboard, … [Read more...]
Dressing for Fall – Tips to Keep Your Kids Warm While Playing Outside
I love fall for so many different reasons, one of them being that the cooler temperatures are perfect for hiking, playing and exploring things outside. Now is also the time of the year when I start to look over the girls' fall and winter gear, to see if I need to add anything to their wardrobe … [Read more...]
13 Benefits of Outside Play That Are Backed by Science
When I grew up, the adults in my life - parents, grandparents, teachers and other caregivers - always told me that playing outside every day was "good for you." At the time my friends and I never paid much attention to these alleged benefits of outside play; the thrill of catching a frog or climbing … [Read more...]