Outside

Welcoming Summer

Happy First Day of Summer! We’re doing a few simple activities this week to celebrate the Summer Solstice. The girls made neat mixed media sunshines yesterday – gluing, painting, salt-sprinkling, and cutting fun! Here’s a look at the process: Make a mixed media sunshine: Glue assorted items to a chipboard or cardboard circle (something sturdy!) [...]

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Fun with Kites and Wind

Use some of the wild energy a windy day brings and try some of these kid-friendly kite and wind-themed activities: Make a paper kite :: maya*made Create a brown paper grocery bag kite :: Rhythm of the Home Write a Kite Tail acrostic poem :: WritingFix Decorate your house with little origami kites :: Craft [...]

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Read & Play: It Looked Like Spilt Milk

My girls get so excited when we have a “puffy-cloud” day, because those are the best days for finding cool shapes in the clouds. One of our favorite cloud stories is It Looked Like Spilt Milk by Charles G. Shaw. This book is simple, but engaging and was always a favorite in my classroom. When [...]

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Teacup Bird Feeders

We had a great time making teacup bird feeders for Christmas gifts. I bookmarked the tutorial (@Cap Creations) last spring and I’m very happy we finally got around to making them! The girls had a great time choosing cups and saucers at the thrift store. We ended up with some matched sets and some we [...]

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6 Simple Ways to Welcome Winter

Is it already feeling like winter where you are? We have been enjoying some night walks around our neighborhood in the brisk, damp air. I’m enjoying bundling up in my scarf and gloves, followed by something warm to drink on our return. In a little less than a week, on December 21, it will officially [...]

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Teeter-Totter

A big hooray for a dad that says yes to requests for things like impromptu teeter-totters… Hope you find time to play this weekend!

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Nature Collections: Simple Ways to Store and Display

My youngest daughter is a collector and a saver. Her favorite thing to do is head outside with a bucket and gather acorns, rocks, leaves, and sticks. We come back from any walk or trip to the park with full pockets. I have dreams of shadow box frames and other beautiful displays, but for now [...]

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Goodbye Training Wheels!

Way to go, Natalie! Hope you are having a great weekend!

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Make Your Own Backyard Obstacle Course

I am always looking for fun, creative ways to get moving with my kids. Since my girls were toddlers we have been making our own backyard obstacle courses. Our whole family can participate in gathering items, setting up the course, and testing our skills in a friendly family competition. One of the greatest things about [...]

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Landscape Photo Scenes

{Originally posted October 2008} Last weekend, while out on a nature walk, the girls helped me find interesting landscape “scenes” to photograph. At home, we printed our favorites out, full-page size. Then, the girls chose some clip art and stickers to decorate their scenes with. They also dictated some fantastic stories about their scenes. You [...]

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