Activities | The Grass Stain Guru

5 Fun Things To Do With Kids This Weekend

April 6, 2012

Some of you will be wrapping up Spring Break/Easter Holidays this weekend, while others are just getting started. Either way, these activities will get you and your kiddos moving and enjoying the great outdoors.

5 Fun Things To Do With Kids This Weekend:

Set up a Bunny-Tastic Obstacle Course! Using hula hoops, cardboard boxes, 2 liter bottles, or whatever else you have around the house or garage, set up an obstacle course in your yard or nearby park/green space. Older children will delight in designing the course(s) themselves. Instead of running through the course, everyone has to “hop like a bunny” – which is actually jumping, because it involves both feet, not just one. But somehow saying, jumping like a bunny just doesn’t sound right.
Go fly a kite! Head to your favorite park or green space and take your kite for a spin. No kite? No problem! Why not try making one with your kids? Younger children can make a simple kite out of a paper plate that they decorate. While it may not get very far off the ground, they will delight in “flying” (or dragging!) it around the yard, park, or neighborhood.
Go on a nature hike, looking for animals, insects, birds, and spring flowers! Each time you see a new animal, have the children move like that animal. Find a flower? How many petals does it have? Have the children jump the number of petals the flower has.
Build a fort with sticks and logs. Use and old sheet or tarp to help block some of the wind and keep dry and cozy in the spring drizzle. Help the kids pack a healthy snack to enjoy in their fort.
Is it raining outside? Why not go puddle jumping, make mud pies, or play catch the rain drops? Give each child a small container (an empty yogurt cup or margarine container will do) and run around the yard, neighborhood, or favorite play space and see how long it takes to fill up the containers. Change the ways you move (try skipping or walking backwards) to extend the play. When your containers are full, you can take them inside and make rain paintings using the water you collected with watercolor paints or to mix tempera paints.

Need help finding a park near you? Visit my friends at NatureFind. Enter your zip code to find parks, trails, gardens, and outdoor events near you.

Want to know what wildlife to look for nearby? eNature has great online field guides that are searchable by zip code.

No matter what you do this weekend, unplug and go play outside! It’s good for the body, mind, and spirit.

Happy Easter and see ya outside!

~ The Grass Stain Guru

By Bethe | Posted in Activities, nature, play | Tagged Activities, children, family fun, happiness, health, kids, nature, outdoors, parenting, play | Comments (64)

Mystery Critter #86

March 17, 2012

Spring has sprung a bit early here in the US, which makes it even more of a treat to head outdoors this weekend. Mother Nature has started her annual show of buds and blooms and shades of greens that feed our souls.

So my favorite nature detectives, let’s get to it. Let’s play Mystery Critter!

Put on those thinking caps, and remember, no peeking!

TGSG Note: Please don’t post your brilliant guess in the comments or on Twitter. We don’t want to ruin the surprise for the other detectives. Make sure to check the link to see if you got it right!

CRITTER CLUES:

I am quite common throughout North America
Unlike many species, both males and females pitch-in with “child care”
I munch on everything from rabbits to lizards (yum!)
Open fields are my habitat
You’ve probably seen me when you are out for a drive

So, what am I?!

Make your guess then go here for the answer and more interesting facts.

Did you get it right?

If not, no worries. You will have another chance soon!

Remember, when looking for wildlife, keep your eyes and ears open! Look high and low, and most importantly, enjoy yourself.

Exploring the natural world with children is a special treat. Get lost in the wonder and awe that only Mother Nature can provide.

What critters can you spot in your neck of the woods? Be sure to tell us!

And don’t forget, join the Wildobs community and share your wild adventures with the world.

See ya outside! ~ The Grass Stain Guru

photo by: geminder

By Bethe | Posted in Activities, nature, play | Tagged Activities, children, education, family fun, Mystery Critter, nature, outdoors, parenting, play, spring, wildlife, wildobs | Comments (13)

Mystery Critter #85

March 10, 2012

“Children are born naturalists. They explore the world with all of their senses, experiment in the environment, and communicate their discoveries to those around them.”

~ The Audubon Nature Preschool

What time is it? Well, it’s play time, of course — time to play Mystery Critter! Time to put your wildlife knowledge and sleuth skills to the test, and encourage everyone to get outside and explore nature.

So, let’s get to it! Put on those thinking caps and remember, no cheating.

TGSG Note: Oh — and please don’t post your brilliant guess in the comments or on Twitter. We don’t want to ruin the surprise for the other detectives. Make sure to check the link to see if you got it right!

CRITTER CLUES:

I am part of a very large family;
You might call me a scavenger but I prefer to think of it as recycling;
I am nocturnal; and
In some parts of the world I am eaten, while in others I am used as a type of prize fighter.

What am I? Make your guess, and then go here for the answer and more interesting facts.

Did you get it right?! If not, no worries — you’ll have another chance soon!

If you have never seen this Mystery Critter before, but I am sure you have seen a critter from its family. Wildlife comes in all shapes and sizes, so don’t forget to look from dirt level to skyline in your quest to become a true nature detective.

And don’t forget to let everyone know what you see! Join the Wildobs community and report your wildlife observations. It’s a great way to keep track of your wild adventures and share info with others.