It’s ba-ack! That’s right folks, your old friend the Mystery Critter is back and ready to stump you.

So put on your thinking caps and let’s see if you can crack the case. And remember — no cheating!

CRITTER CLUES:

• I am considered to be quite beautiful
• Sadly, I am on the Endangered Species List
• I feed solely on one plant
• I am found in approximately six (6) US states, including Indiana
• You may not see me where you live, but you can see plenty of my cousins

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!

Favor:  Don’t share the answers in the comments below or out there in the social mediasphere — we want to keep the game fun for all.

Now, you probably won’t get a chance to see this Mystery Critter this weekend, but rest assured, there is plenty to be seen. Just step outside with open eyes and a quest for adventure. Grab the kids, and see what you can find.

And let folks know about it! Join the Wildobs community, and report your wildlife observations.

Fun Fact: Today (May 19th) is National Kids to Parks Day! I hope you will all celebrate with the ones you love.

Until next time, my nature detectives! Don’t forget to #playoutdoors.

See ya outside! – The Grass Stain Guru

See ya outside! ~ The Grass Stain Guru

I have been a proponent of nature play in and out of school time for twenty years.

But you all know this. I write about the benefits of nature, unstructured play, and reasonable risk for optimal child development all the time. In fact, it’s what The Grass Stain Guru blog is all about.

I stumbled on this lovely and powerful video that explores nature play in three schools in Scotland. It bares mentioning that the narrator states how the UK is far behind European schools embracing nature play. And let it said, the USA is far behind the UK in embracing nature play and reasonable risk for children.

Well, it’s time to play catch up!

Please watch this video for inspiration and ideas to bring nature to your school or center grounds.

See ya outside! ~ The Grass Stain Guru

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:

1. 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.
2. 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.
3. 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.
4. 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.
5. 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 

Let’s call this a mini Public Service Announcement, shall we?

I love Pinterest just as much as the next person. In fact, I can get totally sucked in. (OMG, knitted frog dissection art. Who knew?!)

I especially love all the nature pictures that people share from around the globe.

But it does make me stop an wonder…

How often are all of these “pinners” actually getting out there and exploring and celebrating the natural world? Myself included — I do not get out as much as I would like to.

So let’s make a pledge — from pinner to pinner. Let’s get OUTSIDE more. Day by day and week by week. Come on folks, we can do it!

After all, life is made for living.

See ya outside! ~ The Grass Stain Guru

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

“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.

See ya outside! ~ The Grass Stain Guru

 photo credit: USFWS Mountain Prairie

Look, squirrel-sized binoculars!

Oh how I love a bit of mystery!

Thinking cap. Check. Child-like curiosity. Check. Desire to stump my readers. CHECK! Come on kids, let’s play Mystery Critter!

OK, my nature detectives — let’s hop to it! Good luck. And no cheating!

CRITTER CLUES

• I am tall
• I am shaggy
• I am surprisingly quick on my feet
• My pregnancy lasts as long as a humans
• I have a long history on the American landscape

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!

Now, you probably won’t get a chance to see one of these this weekend, but rest assured, there is plenty to be seen. Just step outside with open eyes and a quest for adventure. Grab the kids, and see what you can find.

And let folks know about it! Join the Wildobs community, and report your wildlife observations.

Until next time, my nature detectives! Don’t forget to #playoutdoors.

See ya outside! – The Grass Stain Guru

photo credit: steffy.

Thinking cap. Check. Child-like curiosity. Check. Desire to stump my readers. CHECK! Come on, kids. Let’s play Mystery Critter!

OK, my nature detectives — let’s hop to it! Good luck. And no cheating!

CRITTER CLUES:

• I am primarily nocturnal;
• I am brown;
• I can be found in most of Canada and the US;
• I breed once a year; and
• My predators include the Gray Wolf and Bobcats.

So, 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!

Now, you might not get a chance to see one of these in the wild this weekend, but rest assured, there is plenty to be seen. Just step outside with open eyes and a quest for adventure. Grab the kids, and see what you can find. And let folks know about it! Join the Wildobs community, and report your wildlife observations.

And, just because he is the cutest critter I have seen in ages. I had to share this little fellow.

Until next week, my sluething friends!

See ya outside! – The Grass Stain Guru

 photo credit: lupinoduck

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:

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

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