After a night of rain, my son usually rushes outside to see if any snails came out. He found this one yesterday morning on our front walkway. He crouched there and watched it for about fifteen minutes, then rushed inside to tell me all the cute things the snail did. Photos taken March 28th, 2013Continue reading “Rainy Day Fun: Snail Watching”
Category Archives: Quick Activities
Outdoor Fun: Read a Book
The pleasure of a new book from the library… Book Bench, Dublin Library Photo taken February 26th, 2013
Paleontology Play! Dinosaur Digging
We’ve been staying home a lot this past week while my son’s been sick with a cold. One afternoon, he asked, “Can I dig for dinosaurs in the backyard?” We have a section of the yard that isn’t landscaped, so that was perfectly fine with me. Dinosaur digging can be done in a patch ofContinue reading “Paleontology Play! Dinosaur Digging”
Simple Outdoor Play: Take Inside Toys Outside
Simplest of outdoor play… let your child take their inside toys outside. My only constraint? I don’t allow toys with small pieces that can get lost (Lego‘s) or items that can roll under the deck (Marble Run, Hot Wheels). When I was a kid, I loved to take my Barbies outside. They would frequently goContinue reading “Simple Outdoor Play: Take Inside Toys Outside”
Take a “Signs of Spring” Walk
The wildflowers are starting to bloom, new leaves are growing on the tips of branches, gardens are beginning to sprout… this is the time to take the kids out for a walk to look for the signs of spring. This can be a quick walk around the neighborhood or the park, an exploration of yourContinue reading “Take a “Signs of Spring” Walk”
Simple Outdoor Play: Go to the Park
Need a bit of healthy, energy-expending outdoor time for your child(ren), but not sure what to do? Keep it simple. Go to the park. Any park. Just let them run around. Bring a bike or a scooter, and let them ride. Bring some balls, and kick them around. Climb on the play structures. Swing onContinue reading “Simple Outdoor Play: Go to the Park”
Outdoor Art: Sidewalk Chalk Drawing
For a quick, easy outdoor activity, I keep a bag of sidewalk chalk on our front porch. We were home sick yesterday, and drawing on the front walkway with chalk was about the only outside activity my son felt up for. I like this kind of art for its simplicity. Give child chalk, send outside,Continue reading “Outdoor Art: Sidewalk Chalk Drawing”
Take Reading Time Outside
Today is Read Across America Day, and the forecast is for sunshine throughout the Bay Area. We’re going to celebrate by taking reading time outside today. Join us! Pick a favorite book or two, find a sunny, warm location, and, well, simply read to your child. Not sure where to go? Here are a fewContinue reading “Take Reading Time Outside”
Outside Play, Every Day
Getting outside every day is a necessity for me, both for my physical and emotional health. I begin to feel a little, well, off when I’ve been inside too long, and I’ve noticed my son is the same way. I can get sucked into staying in the house as easily as the next mom, lettingContinue reading “Outside Play, Every Day”
