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 

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

7.5 = number of hours of screen time school aged children experience daily

32 = number of hours of television preschoolers watch weekly

19 = percentage of infants one year and under with televisions in their rooms

25,000 = average number of television commercials a preschooler sees

I’ve tried lots of approaches to talk about this issue. I thought I would try something different this time. And a bit cheeky.

As an advocate for healthy, happy childhoods I will do just about anything to get the message out — and to make people actually listen.

Unplug. Set screen time limits. Get your kids outdoors for unstructured play experiences.

Explore your green community spaces. 

PLEASE. 

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

Love this! Anja Geelen sent this to me from NZ. She took a quote from my blog and attached the sign to her family's tent.

I was at the airport the other day on my way back from The Conference on the Value of Play, which made what happened all the more poignant.

A little girl no older than seven was telling her grandmother about all the activities she was involved in. She rattled them off like an executive rattles off meetings and conference calls: judo, dance, soccer, gymnastics and church activities.

Plus, she said as she rolled her beautiful green eyes, “I always have homework.“

Her mother looked on with pride. Her grandmother looked apprehensive at best.

The Grass Stain Guru bit her tongue.

How, I wondered? How can this poor little girl keep up with all of that? She must be exhausted.

Why, I wondered? Why would her parents schedule this poor little thing within an inch of her life? And themselves? Somebody has to drive her to all of these activities.

When, I wondered? When does this bright-eyed little girl have time to be a kid?

Where, I wondered? Where did we go wrong as a society, sending the message that this is what childhood is supposed to be like? That this is what parenting is supposed to be like, a veritable Cruise Director?

At the airport that day I eavesdropped on society, and I didn’t like what I heard. At all.  I’m not sure why I was so surprised at what I heard. I’ve heard it ALL before, time and time again. I’ve written about it before…spoken about it.

But coming off that conference being surround by others who are play advocates and scholars, the reality of today’s children’s reality hit me like a ton of bricks. And I didn’t like it one bit.

Simply put, what passes for childhood today is simply not good enough. It’s not good for the children, the parents/families, the teachers, and society as a whole.

I found this video the other day. This, my friends — this is what childhood should look like.

So folks, where do we go from here? Let me know your thoughts.

And now if you will excuse me, there is a tree I need to go climb.

See ya outside! ~ The Grass Stain Guru 

Video credit: Right Where You Are Now from Craigmore Creations on Vimeo.

“I like nonsense, it wakes up the brain cells. Fantasy is a necessary ingredient in living, It’s a way of looking at life through the wrong end of a telescope. Which is what I do, And that enables you to laugh at life’s realities.” ~ Dr. Seuss

Last month, I wrote a different type of New Year’s Resolution post — one that focused on more balance, joy and play rather than deprivation, which is the usual theme. 

What I’ve discovered over the years is that if I don’t check back in on what I wrote down, then the process of writing down goals or resolutions — new year’s or otherwise — doesn’t do a bit of good.

So, let’s have a check in, shall we? How are you doing in your quest for more balance, joy and play?

To refresh your memories, here is the list of items to pursue with abandon in this glorious year, 2012.

What should you Do More of in 2012:

1. Laugh (to the verge if incontinence)
2. Play (like your life depends on it)
3. Dance (whether there is music or not)
4. Hike
5. Skip
6. Hop
7. Jump (for joy)
8. Frolic
9. Make time for your friends
10. Garden
11. Walk barefoot
12. Sing
13. Soak in a bubble bath
14. Stargaze
15. Camp
16. Make s’mores
17. Bike
18. Cook
19. Be kind
20. Travel
21. Try new things
22. Trust yourself
23. Shoot for the stars
24. Be fearless
25. Dust yourself off and begin again

What have you been doing to make sure you put some LIFE into living?! Please share.

I took a break from blogging for a few weeks to regain some balance. It was really important to give myself that time to have some fun and make time for friends and play. Definitely recharged my batteries.

Play on, my dear friends. Your life, as it turns out, depends on it.

See ya outside! ~ The Grass Stain Guru

 photo credit: wolleydog

New Year’s resolutions are often filled with Do Less Statements (eat less, drink less…). This year, turn 2012 on its ear with Do More Statements!

What should you Do More of in 2012?

1. Laugh (to the verge if incontinence)
2. Play (like your life depends on it)
3. Dance (whether there is music or not)
4. Hike
5. Skip
6. Hop
7. Jump (for joy)
8. Frolic
9. Make time for your friends
10. Garden
11. Walk barefoot
12. Sing
13. Soak in a bubble bath
14. Stargaze
15. Camp
16. Make s’mores
17. Bike
18. Cook
19. Be kind
20. Travel
21. Try new things
22. Trust yourself
23. Shoot for the stars
24. Be fearless
25. Dust yourself off and begin again

And always remember, Danny O’Dare wants to dance with you. And so do I.

See ya outside! ~ The Grass Stain Guru

Danny O’Dare by Shel Silverstein

Danny O’Dare, the dancin’ bear,
Ran away from the County Fair,
Ran right up to my back stair
And thought he’d do some dancin’ there.

He started jumpin’ and skippin’ and kickin’,
He did a dance called the Funky Chicken,
He did the Polka, he did the Twist,
He bent himself into a pretzel like this.

He did the Dog and the Jitterbug,
He did the Jerk and the Bunny Hug.
He did the Waltz and the Boogaloo,
He did the Hokey-Pokey too.

He did the Bop and the Mashed Potata,
He did the Split and the See Ya Later.

And now he’s down upon one knee,
Bowin’ oh so charmingly,
And winkin’ and smilin’–it’s easy to see
Danny O’Dare wants to dance with me.

 photo credit: Elaayna