The Grass Stain Guru » Activities

Mystery Critter #82

Bethe — Sat, 04 Feb 2012 13:52:28 +0000

Howdy my favorite nature detectives! I’ve been on a bit of a blogging break, working on some other projects. But I’m back, and ready to get my critter on! Hope you are, too.

Put those noodles to the test with this wildlife mystery. And remember — no peaking at the answer before you take your guess!

CRITTER CLUES:

OK, I’m stinky, but calling me “foul” is just not nice!
I am a fan of slow moving fresh water.
Rotting logs play an important role in my life.
I have a long, flexible neck.
If you don’t see me where you live, you can certainly see one of my cousins.

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

Top photo credit: downing.amanda

Mystery Critter #81

Bethe — Sat, 07 Jan 2012 16:22:22 +0000

Howdy my favorite nature detectives! It’s time for the very first Mystery Critter of 2012. My how time flies!

Nature. Wildlife. Critters. Life just isn’t the same without them — especially childhood. That’s what inspired my Mystery Critter series oh so long ago.

So put on your best thinking caps and let’s get to it. And remember — no peaking at the answer before you take your guess!

CRITTER CLUES:

You can see me or one of my cousins in most of North America.
I can make my home in a variety of habitats — meadows, forests, grasslands, swamps and prairies.
I am a favorite of children.
I am solitary.
I can run up to 15 miles per hour.

So what am I?!

Make your guess then go here for the answer and more interesting facts. Or here, for an even deeper look.

Did you get it right?

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

For some extra fun for the kids, check out the great site Earth Rangers. Critters really are amazing!

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 credit: USFWS Mountain Prairie

Win Prizes in The Christmas Box Challenge!

Bethe — Wed, 21 Dec 2011 13:15:22 +0000

“We don’t stop playing because we grow old; we grow old because we stop playing.” ~ George Bernard Shaw

Challenge Update: I am excited to tell you all that the #XmasBoxChallenge now has prizes thanks to the nice folks at OgoSport! See below for details! Have a creative and happy holiday, all! ~ Bethe

I have a challenge for you all.

After the paper is all torn and the bows are tossed aside. After the stockings are empty, their booty blundered by skilled hands, no matter how small. After the buzz of Christmas fades into night and the hangover from all of the holiday excess kicks in (for kids and adults alike!), I want you to step back and get back to basics.

Here’s my idea…

Take the Christmas Box Challenge!

1. Gather all the cardboard boxes leftover from the holiday bonanza. Big, small — whatever you have.

2. For younger children, they should need no encouragement — just let them at the boxes and see what they get up to. Push them, build forts, create puppet theaters and everything in between.

3. Get tweens, teens and the adults in on the fun too! Make it a bit of a contest. Set a 60 minute time limit see who comes up with the most outstanding cardboard box creation! Set up as many categories as you like — most useful, funniest, etc.

4. Share your Christmas cardboard box creations with me — and Twitter! Use the hashtag #XmasBoxChallenge — and post pictures if you can! If you have a blog, I would love for you to challenge your readers to join us and post about your family’s Christmas Box Challenge.

Prizes:

1st prize: $100 + an OgoBild POD set + 1 Mezo Disk Set
2nd prize: $50 + An OgoBild POD set
3rd Prize: An OgoBild POD set

Deadline:

To be considered for the prizes, all entries must be posted by January 2nd. 2012.

How to enter:

There are three ways you can enter The Christmas Box Challenge and enter to win great prizes!

1. Tweet pictures of your creations with the hash tag #XmasBoxChallenge

2. Post pictures of your creations to OgoSport’s Facebook page and tag them #XmasBoxChallenge.

3. Blog about how your family took the challenge! Post a comment with a link to this post and/or post a link to your blog post to OgoSport’s Facebook page and tag them #XmasBoxChallenge.

Let’s see how much play, creativity and fun we can pack into this holiday season.

Want to see just how fun a box can be? Check out Simon’s Cat. And trust me, us humans find them just as entertaining when we give ourselves permission to PLAY like we mean it.

Look, even advertisers get the magic of a cardboard box!

I would love to see this idea really take off, and even become a holiday tradition. Help me spread the idea and don’t forget to use the #XmasBoxChallenge hash tag.

Happy holidays, my friends. You mean the world to me. xoxo

See ya outside! ~ The Grass Stain Guru

Mystery Critter #80

Bethe — Sat, 17 Dec 2011 14:05:31 +0000

8 – 0. 80. This is our 80th case together — can you believe it?!

Nature. Wildlife. Critters. Life just isn’t the same without them — especially childhood. That’s what inspired my Mystery Critter series oh so long ago.

So put on your best thinking caps and let’s get to it. And remember — no peaking at the answer before you take your guess!

CRITTER CLUES:

I am a real beauty (um, if I do say so myself!)
I will be hard to spot this time of year since I tend to head to Mexico for the winter
My name sounds like it was given to me by an artist
I like to be by the water
In the summer, you can find me in parks and open woodlands

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!

For some extra fun for the kids, check out the great site Earth Rangers. Critters really are amazing!

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 credit: Mr Lujan!

Mystery Critter #79

Bethe — Sat, 10 Dec 2011 13:50:06 +0000

Nature. Wildlife. Critters. Life just isn’t the same without them — especially childhood. That’s what inspired my Mystery Critter series oh so long ago. And here we are at our 79th case together. Can you believe it?!

So put on your best thinking caps and let’s get to it. And remember — no peaking at the answer before you take your guess!

CRITTER CLUES:

I am almost mythical, but quite real
Many of you won’t get a chance to see me unless you take a trip (but you can see my cousins!)
I am quite large
I am found in North America
One of my sub-species is on the Endangered Species List

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!

For some extra fun for the kids, check out the great site Earth Rangers. Critters really are amazing!

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 credit: matsber

Mystery Critter #78

Bethe — Sat, 03 Dec 2011 20:19:23 +0000

“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

It’s that time again – time to put your wildlife knowledge to the test with this week’s Mystery Critter.

So, let’s get down to business, y’all. Put on those thinking caps and remember — no cheating!

CRITTER CLUES:

My habitat is marshes, swamps, forests and woodlands
I am typically brown or orangish brown
I am bigger that my common cousin
One of my subspecies is on the endangered species list
I have been introduced in states like California and Washington

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 credit: Tim & Selena Middleton

Mystery Critter #76

Bethe — Sat, 12 Nov 2011 15:39:42 +0000

Howdy my favorite nature detectives! The Mystery Critter and I have been on a bit of a hiatus, but we’re back and ready to get down to some critter action.

So, let’s get down to business, y’all. Put on those thinking caps and remember — no cheating!

CRITTER CLUES:

I am quite widespread (and even more handsome, in my own estimation)
I make my home in meadows, forests and grasslands
I am a vegetarian
I have a few different names
You have surely seen me before (and no doubt thought me adorable)

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.

Fall is the perfect time to explore the natural world. Ablaze with color and a nip in the air, Mother Nature is at her finest.

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 credit: downing.amanda

Mystery Critter #75

Bethe — Sat, 24 Sep 2011 15:37:44 +0000

Howdy my favorite nature detectives! Just back from speaking to a group of folks about getting kids outside — and of course, the benefit of seeing critters!

So, let’s get to our Mystery Critter! Put on those thinking caps and remember — no cheating!

CRITTER CLUES:

I hibernate
You won’t see me during the day
I make my home in rural areas, cities and towns
I can be found throughout North America

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.

Let your hair down and go play in nature this weekend. You’ll be glad you did.

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 credit: treehouse1977

Mystery Critter #74 with Cheecker

Bethe — Fri, 09 Sep 2011 12:00:43 +0000

TGSG Note: Welcome to a special edition of Mystery Critter! When my friend Cheecker said he wanted to stop by and play I could hardly stand myself I was so excited. Celebrity spokes-squirrel in da house! Enjoy! ~ Bethe

OK fellow nature lovers, it’s time to put on your thinking caps and crack this week’s case. Can Cheecker stump you, or are you a master nature detective?

Let the games begin! And remember — no cheating.

CRITTER CLUES:

I live mostly in the Eastern part of North America. I shy away from urban forests and only spend my time in wooded areas and brush lands.
I’m an omnivore, so I eat everything from berries to grasshoppers to mice!
I have really good hearing and can hear even the smallest animals digging underground.
They say I’m sly, only because I’m very cautious and can learn from my experiences.
I have rust colored, bushy fur and a long tail with a white tip.

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 next week!

Have fun exploring the great outdoors! ~ Cheecker

Cheecker’s Bio: As official spokes-squirrel for the USDA Forest Service and the Ad Council’s Re-Connecting Kids with Nature campaign, Cheecker is looking to get more families to discover their nearest forest or park. He shares his tips and tricks on where to go and what to do in the forest daily on Twitter. Aside from acting as forest steward, Cheecker enjoys climbing trees, running fast and hoarding acorns for winter. Follow him on Twitter to find out what he is up to.

Cheecker is only one of many resources the USDA Forest Service and the Ad Council have developed to get families back out into nature and ultimately create the next generation of environmental enthusiasts. For more information about this campaign visit: www.DiscoverTheForest.org or www.facebook.com/discovertheforest.

photo credit: treehouse1977

Barefootin’ Weekend Fun

Bethe — Fri, 02 Sep 2011 16:03:34 +0000

Forget not that the earth delights to feel your bare feet
and the winds long to play with your hair.
~ Kahlil Gibran

By now, you have probably realized that I am a bit obsessed with going barefoot. It’s true. As a child, my mama called me theBarefoot Contessa – she could barely keep me in shoes.

So, in honor of the end of a frantic week and the coming of the Labor Day weekend her in the US, let’s kick off our shoes and relax. And you don’t have to make the trek to the beach to have a blast. (Um but if you do, please make a drip castle for me!)

Why not…

Grab the kids and do some star gazing or make a pitcher of strawberry lemonade and sit out on the stoop or on a blanket in the backyard and tell stories;
Turn on the sprinkler or head to the nearest splash park. The kids can splash around while you enjoy a shady spot and a catch-up on that book you’ve been meaning to finish; or
Set-up old school games like Twister, croquet, or badminton in the yard or nearby park and have a ball!

As always, it doesn’t matter what you do — just kick off your shoes and have some fun.

You’ve earned it. The birds will be singing, the squirrels darting to and fro — you’ll laugh and forget it all for a bit, which in my humble opinion, is a very worthy pursuit.

Now, if you will excuse me, I have to go get these shoes off.

See ya outside! ~ The Grass Stain Guru

photo credit: specialkrb