Swing tree
This was sad looking old apple tree. We put up those 2 swings the first summer we lived in our house, still a big hit years later...
Collect nature treasures
If you venture out with kids, you know they are collectors of many things...Bring a basket or a bag is a tip I would like to share.
|
|
Egg carton
Pulp egg cartons make a great container for collecting treasures.
You can make a specific treasure hunt as well, just write names of the items you want kids to find in each section of the egg carton.
You can make a specific treasure hunt as well, just write names of the items you want kids to find in each section of the egg carton.
Using magnifying glass to burn things....
Well this is not really traditional kids toy, but well I am sure you have one at home you can buy one cheap. Magnifying is a great thing to have at home, especially for a little explorer. Just make sure you keep an eye on the kids. We made a deal with our son that he always has to let us know when he is using it...bucket of water close by is a safety measure you will not regret ;O). For real he tried to start a fire in our fire pit and it took a really long time....
Huge bubbles
Kids loved making these bug bubbles. Here are the ingredients for bubble mix (plus minus of course):
6 cups of water
1/2 cup of dish detergent (I used Dawn as I also used it for weed killer)
1 1/2 cups of corn starch
1 spoon of baking powder
1 spoon of Glycerine (great for handmade beauty products...see link)
Mix well, put in large bucket and have fun.
See the third photo for making the cool tool. We used cotton string, just because I prefer natural materials and I think it soaks the solution better. Not sure if it make difference for making the bubbles.
This is especially fun on windy day.
I have seen people using small kids pool and hula hoops. A small person can hide inside a bubble! That looks like fun.
6 cups of water
1/2 cup of dish detergent (I used Dawn as I also used it for weed killer)
1 1/2 cups of corn starch
1 spoon of baking powder
1 spoon of Glycerine (great for handmade beauty products...see link)
Mix well, put in large bucket and have fun.
See the third photo for making the cool tool. We used cotton string, just because I prefer natural materials and I think it soaks the solution better. Not sure if it make difference for making the bubbles.
This is especially fun on windy day.
I have seen people using small kids pool and hula hoops. A small person can hide inside a bubble! That looks like fun.
Miniature worlds in a pot
This is a lovely project for all ages. And any container will do, any plants, any items....Girls like fairies and gnomes, my son preferred soldiers.
On tip: I though I will be very green and we made mushrooms from salt dough, well that was short lived since dogs and squirrels thought it was a snack for them. Ha ha. Just remember whatever you use may get lost in your yard and if you choose plastic it will never go away....I prefer natural materials that will be composted if they get misplaced. Well if kids are frequent visitors in your yard they go with natural items.
These can be transported inside for winter, kids will enjoy them. If you pick succulents or small tropical plants they would do great indoors and will cheer you up. Just make sure you put container under so your furniture does not get damaged from water marks.
On tip: I though I will be very green and we made mushrooms from salt dough, well that was short lived since dogs and squirrels thought it was a snack for them. Ha ha. Just remember whatever you use may get lost in your yard and if you choose plastic it will never go away....I prefer natural materials that will be composted if they get misplaced. Well if kids are frequent visitors in your yard they go with natural items.
These can be transported inside for winter, kids will enjoy them. If you pick succulents or small tropical plants they would do great indoors and will cheer you up. Just make sure you put container under so your furniture does not get damaged from water marks.
Garden in the winter
This is a fun project for kids all ages (yes even if you are over 50). We filled spray bottles with water and paint and "painted" the snow. It was so much fun to see colorful flowers in the middle if winter.
Making an old map
This is fun project for all ages, but does require adult supervision and all safety measures for working with fire (read have bucket with water handy).
First find brown paper (bags or wrapping paper work great), then crumple it, open it, burn the edges (watch it fire can work fast!) and make the paper a bit dirty (give it old look), then have fun and draw features of a map.
These are even more fun if you roll them and make old fashioned seal.
First find brown paper (bags or wrapping paper work great), then crumple it, open it, burn the edges (watch it fire can work fast!) and make the paper a bit dirty (give it old look), then have fun and draw features of a map.
These are even more fun if you roll them and make old fashioned seal.
|
|
|
Memory game
I made this game for our summer camp. We reuse them year after year.
I will hang the cards (double sided) on a marked path. Campers walk it and try to remember as many items as possible. They will write them down at the end. It is very impressive how many kids are able to remember most of them.
I will hang the cards (double sided) on a marked path. Campers walk it and try to remember as many items as possible. They will write them down at the end. It is very impressive how many kids are able to remember most of them.
|
|
Exploration
Our son loves to explore, I think all kids do. When they are little point out to them what to look for....
We let our kids pick up most animals but we have 5 minutes rule. Because they will miss their family ;O).
I prefer if kids pick up only plants that are dead, we make exception with some flowers.
We let our kids pick up most animals but we have 5 minutes rule. Because they will miss their family ;O).
I prefer if kids pick up only plants that are dead, we make exception with some flowers.
