This week we’ve shared a fun fossil finding activity at a creek and five tips for exploring nature with kids, but we don’t want the sharing to end there! We’ve gathered 10 inspiring posts from around the web that are sure to get your kids playing and learning outside. 1. Make a nature study kit […]
5 Tips for Exploring Nature with Kids
July 6, 2013 by
It’s important for children to be encouraged to connect with nature, but what if you are a little timid when it comes to exploring the outdoors? Whether you identify yourself as an “indoors” person or you just don’t know where to start, here are a few things you can do to make the transition a […]
Fossil Hunting at the Creek
July 5, 2013 by
Summer is hot and the water in the creek is cold! We had fun cooling our toes while hunting for fossils! The rocks in the creek we visited were predominantly shale and limestone. Mixed into the bunch were some incredible fossils! I explained to the boys that fossils were impressions of the remains of creatures […]
Bubble Science
June 26, 2013 by
Every kid has a fascination with bubbles. There’s just something enticing about them. We recently spent an afternoon playing with a bottle of bubbles, which led to lots of discovery about the science behind bubbles. Here’s a few of the fun concepts we learned as we explored bubbles. Does wand shape effect the bubble? […]
Around the Web: Sidewalk Chalk
June 23, 2013 by
There are so many ways to learn and play with sidewalk chalk. It’s great for play prompts, open-ended play, and educational activities. This makes it a must-have in the summer, and we know you’ve been stocking up! Are you looking for creative ways to use your stash? If so, you’ll want to stockpile these 10 […]
Learning in an Instant- Letter Sounds Hopscotch
June 22, 2013 by
We’ve been talking about fun ways to play and learn with sidewalk chalk, and today we have another playful idea to share. Letter Sounds Hopscotch! Encourage your kids to practice letter sounds and their gross motor skills with this simple game. Instead of drawing numbers in your hopscotch grid, draw objects beginning with the letter […]
5 Ways to Learn with Chalk
June 20, 2013 by
Truth? I have never intentionally planned a “learning activity” for my children using chalk (bad blogger mom Melissa!). To me, chalk is simply an inexpensive medium used to create driveway art or something to occupy the boys’ hands and minds while I page a magazine and chat with an old friend on the phone. However, […]
Learning with Ordinary Household Items
May 28, 2013 by
Learning manipulatives (items that are used to engage a child in hands-on learning) are used for problem solving and to help increase understanding of a concept, such as counting. There are literally thousands of incredible learning manipulatives available for purchase through education websites and catalogs; making a choice can be very overwhelming! But did you […]
Using Blocks to Teach Your Child About Tints, Shades, and Mixing Colors
May 15, 2013 by
What I love about simple wooden blocks is their versatility. A child can use blocks to create a zoo . . . a school . . . a road! (Or, a road through a zoo that leads to school!) Blocks deliciously challenge a child’s fine and gross motor skills as they practice balancing and building, […]
Insect Lab Nature Investigation
May 1, 2013 by
Spring brings flowers, warm air, green grass . . . and insects. Many, many insects! Due to mild weather and their natural instinct to hunt for food after winter hibernation, insects are abundant in the spring. Many spring insects are young; they have recently hatched out of an egg case or matured from pupae to […]
How to Make a Simple Kite
April 29, 2013 by
The breezy days of spring are perfect for picnics and kite flying, so today we’re sharing a super easy kite tutorial that you can make with your kids. You can watch the kite tutorial video here: [youtube http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X-6yjy1-ymc] Having trouble viewing this video? You can click here to watch it on YouTube. Be sure to subscribe […]
“April Showers Bring May Flowers” Handprint Art
April 24, 2013 by
Have you ever gazed at your child and wondered to yourself, “How did he get so big?” or, “Did she grow in her sleep last night?” Colin had just come home from preschool and was excitedly sharing what he had learned that day from his teachers. As he yapped on and on, it became one […]
5 Simple Experiments with Water
April 11, 2013 by
April is known for it’s rain showers. What better time to try some simple science experiments with water! Today, I’m sharing with you 5 simple experiments that need only a few items and take just a few seconds to set up, yet are fun and explore different properties of water. 1. Bending pencil experiment Materials […]
DIY Button Flower Learning Game for Kids
April 3, 2013 by
Signs of Spring are showing up everywhere! What better way to welcome Spring than with a bouquet of bright, colorful flowers? We made our bouquet with simple buttons and pipe cleaners, but took it a step further and made up a button flower game. It’s quick, easy, and lots of fun! Here is what you’ll need: […]
Around the Web: Birds
March 3, 2013 by
This week we shared a fun and creative way to make hanging shape bird feeders as well as the benefits of letting your child use real tools to build a bird feeder. But we don’t want to stop there! Here are even more inspiring links about birds. 1. Go on a frugal field trip and […]
Hanging Shape Bird Feeders
February 28, 2013 by
Spruce up your yard, help the birds, and get your kids involved! This simple project will have you cooking up some fun and creative bird feeders with your kids. Even though winter still has its hold on the temperature, spring has started to show here in the Pacific NW and I am LOVING it! Yesterday […]
Around the Web: Colors
February 24, 2013 by
There are so many fantastic color activities around the web, and finding them this week has made me happy! It’s hard not to smile (and look forward to spring) when you are checking out so many bright and colorful ideas. Enjoy! 1. Purple Crayon Mural via Inner Child Fun- This is a fun activity to go […]
Learning in an Instant: Color Word Hopscotch
February 22, 2013 by
Combine sight word practice with big fun by playing a quick game of color words hopscotch! This simple activity will get your kids active while they learn the color words. This is easy to set up and can easily be played inside or out. If it’s a pretty day, get outside and draw the hopscotch […]
