“Life is not measured by the number of breaths we take, but by the
moments that take our breath away.” – Unknown
I actually have this quote on my refrigerator — a simple, yet powerful reminder that life is made for living. It’s not a race, nor a numbers game. It’s not about square footage or money. It is something to be savored and enjoyed. Shared and adored. Cherished and celebrated. In moments. In memories. In the gift of ourselves and our time with others — children and adults alike.
Here are 10 more beautiful moments to share with the kids in your world, and re-experience yourself. If you missed the first 10, you can find them here. No worries — there is no order you need to follow. No rules, just joy.
10 More Can’t-Miss Moments from The Grass Stain Guru:
11. Blowing a dandelion puff – giggling as the seeds take flight, tiny dancers in the sky. (Remember, your weed is a child’s flower!)
12. Flying a kite — a true joy on a breezy day. Even better if you make them yourself!
13. Learning how to paddle a canoe. Slow and steady. Building confidence with every stroke of the paddle. Exploring the world from a totally different vantage point.
14. Stargazing — laying out on a blanket on a clear night, trying to pick out constellations. Naming a favorite star and making up stories about what life might be like there. Making a wish, even if you never get a chance to see shooting star.
15. Burying a hidden treasure! A family time capsule is a great way to preserve memories and a fun project for the kids.
16. Using binoculars – whether they are learning about birds, or just playing detective or spy in the backyard, using binoculars is a fun and exciting skill for kids to master.
17. Digging for digging’s sake. That’s right — not for planting or anything else. Just for the joy of playing in the dirt. Finding worms and other creepy-crawlies. Filling holes with water. Burying action figures. Finding rocks. There is more fun to be found with a spoon or a trowel and some dirt than you would ever imagine.
18. Learning how to skip a stone. Akin to whistling with a blade of grass, this time-honored skill will keep kids happy and busy for hours. And it’s OK if they never get the hang of it — the fun is in the trying!
19. Hanging and monitoring a bird feeder. Welcome wildlife to a window near you! Kids and adults alike delight in the company of feathered visitors. Grab a field guide and learn to identify species.
20. Going barefoot! While I love dirty sneakers, sometimes life is just better barefoot. Sure, teach the child to look out for glass, etc., but don’t strip childhood of this delight. The feeling of soft grass. The wet warmth of the sidewalk after a summer rain. MUD! (After all, childhood just wouldn’t be childhood without a stubbed toe or two!)
More than any video game, expensive toy, or day at a theme park, these moments will make up the warm memories of childhood of future adults. Think about it. Look back on your own childhood. What images and memories rise to the top? Odds are, they are simple, joy-filled moments like these.
Let’s make sure that these childhood rights-of-passage stay intact. Get the kids in your world outside. Worry less about stuff, and more about experiences and moments. Relax. Slow down, and make some memories of your own.
Now, if you will excuse me, I am off to re-experience Can’t Miss Moment #21. What is it? Stick with me, and I will be sure to share.
See ya outside! – The Grass Stain Guru
photo credit: vermillion
RT @balmeras: NEW post @ The Grass Stain Guru. 10 More Can’t-Miss Childhood Memories. http://bit.ly/Jcx1v #playoutdoors #parent
From @balmeras: NEW post @ The Grass Stain Guru. 10 More Can’t-Miss Childhood Memories. http://bit.ly/Jcx1v #playoutdoors #parent
If we missed ‘em when we were kids, we can do them now!! RT @balmeras via @TomVMorris: Can’t Miss Childhood Moments http://bit.ly/Jcx1v
Beautiful introduction and nice reminders of fun things to do. I love the picture at the top because it reminds me of squishing mud between my toes as a child – hmmmm, might need to do that again soon.
There are so many moments that can open children to discovery. It is important for us to create those moments for our kids. Your blog reminds us of that important fact.
Thanks Bethe!!
Great stuff Bethe… teaching kids how to build a fire is a great one! They still won’t let anyone else build a campfire if I’m around… “Uncle Todd builds the best fires…” – it’s truly the simple things that matter.
Keep it up!
RT @balmeras: NEW post @ The Grass Stain Guru. 10 More Can’t-Miss Childhood Memories. http://bit.ly/Jcx1v #playoutdoors #parent
RT @balmeras: NEW post @ The Grass Stain Guru. 10 More Can’t-Miss Childhood Memories. http://bit.ly/Jcx1v #playoutdoors #parent
From @balmeras: NEW post @ The Grass Stain Guru. 10 More Can’t-Miss Childhood Memories. http://bit.ly/Jcx1v #playoutdoors #parent
If we missed ‘em when we were kids, we can do them now!! RT @balmeras via @TomVMorris: Can’t Miss Childhood Moments http://bit.ly/Jcx1v
Great new post from @balmeras @ The Grass Stain Guru. 10 More Can’t-Miss Childhood Memories. http://bit.ly/Jcx1v #playoutdoors #parent
Great new post from @balmeras @ The Grass Stain Guru. 10 More Can’t-Miss Childhood Memories. http://bit.ly/Jcx1v #playoutdoors #parent
Happy to say my 2.5-year-old has all of these but paddling, burying a treasure and skipping a stone. Those will come in time!
RT @balmeras: NEW post @ The Grass Stain Guru. 10 More Can’t-Miss Childhood Memories. http://bit.ly/Jcx1v #playoutdoors #parent
Celebrating 2 months of blogging as The Grass Stain Guru today. 10 More Can’t-Miss Childhood Memories. http://bit.ly/Jcx1v #playoutdoors
Have printed these out – we will do all 10 and more! RT @balmeras: 10 More Can’t-Miss Childhood Memories. http://bit.ly/Jcx1v #playoutdoors
Great new post from @balmeras @ The Grass Stain Guru. 10 More Can’t-Miss Childhood Memories. http://bit.ly/Jcx1v #playoutdoors #parent
RT @balmeras: NEW post @ The Grass Stain Guru. 10 More Can’t-Miss Childhood Memories. http://bit.ly/Jcx1v #playoutdoors #parent
Celebrating 2 months of blogging as The Grass Stain Guru today. 10 More Can’t-Miss Childhood Memories. http://bit.ly/Jcx1v #playoutdoors
Have printed these out – we will do all 10 and more! RT @balmeras: 10 More Can’t-Miss Childhood Memories. http://bit.ly/Jcx1v #playoutdoors
Oh yes a must read… The Grass Stain Guru. 10 More Can’t-Miss Childhood Memories. http://bit.ly/Jcx1v #parent
The only thing I have not done is paddle a canoe! As for lil boo his list will be ever growing,
)
~daddy bookins
Oh yes a must read… The Grass Stain Guru. 10 More Can’t-Miss Childhood Memories. http://bit.ly/Jcx1v #parent
Love that you all are knee-deep in this list already!! wOOt! Thanks for the support and for helping today’s kids connect with the natural world.
Cheers- Bethe
Amost missed this post from @balmeras The Grass Stain Guru. Statistics show way too few kids ever do half this list. http://bit.ly/sXelk
Amost missed this post from @balmeras The Grass Stain Guru. Statistics show way too few kids ever do half this list. http://bit.ly/sXelk
[...] outside. Examples include California, Maryland, and Chicago. Here at TGSG, we’ve talked about Can’t Miss Childhood Moments, reliving the happy memories of our own childhood play and lamenting the fact that many of [...]
It’s a beautiful introduction of childhood memories, I love this blog… when I was reading this blog I was just memorizing the moments of my childhood, and there is a smile on my face… I hope and will try to create these beautiful moments for my kids also.
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