connecting to nature

Nature Activities

Groundhog Day: Outside Nature Time for Kids

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While nature may not dictate our activities as completely as for the ground hog, we can follow his example and include some outside nature time for kids.outside time in natureDuring the cooler months of the year, we often don’t encourage kids to be outside. With warm clothes and either snow or rain gear, kids can still enjoy being outdoors. There’s so much to see and do. Need some ideas?

  1. Check out the sky. Any sun? Clouds can be different in the winter. In some areas, the entire sky seem to be lower.
  2. Look on the ground. The ground may be all white for some people. Or, it could be just brown, with or without puddles. Where it’s hot and dry, the winter months may be the only time the grass is green because summer sun turns it brown.
  3. Any action down there? There might not be a great deal of action, but that’s something to notice too. What’s happened to the worms and bugs? Animals may have left some prints in the snow.
  4. Did you know trees can talk? Well, not in words, but they are still telling us their news. The news might be a few buds on the branches if we can get close enough to see. The message could also be “Stay tuned and check back again soon.”
  5. Close eyes and turn face up to the sky. If you are lucky, some sun will kiss your cheek. Feel any wind today? If it’s cold, you might want to bring your nose back down pretty quick.
  6. Take in a deep breath. What does the air feel like today?

We can help kids build a connection to nature in small gestures like these. Oh, and since it’s Groundhog Day, we’d better add another:

  1. Turn around slowly and see if you have a shadow. If the groundhog sees its shadow, it’s back to sleep for 6 more weeks of winter.

groundhog day for kidsWhile it’s close to nature, the groundhog is not a very accurate predictor of weather. Being close to nature is a gift that lasts for a lifetime, giving us joy and healing when needed. To celebrate the day, include some outside nature time for kids. Isn’t this a gift you’d like to share with your child?

Health and Nutrition

Star Wars and Stars in Nature

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Star Wars is certainly a people-made phenomenon while real stars are from nature. In order to see stars in nature, we have to wait until night—most of the time. We can even eat stars or, at least, eat around them.star in appleStars in nature may be as close as your fridge or bowl on the counter. Are there any apples at your house? When we cut an apple in half, starting at the stem and going to blossom, we see the core in the middle. But it looks very different when we cut the apple in half going the other way, that is across the equator. This way the core makes a star! (You may have to shake out a few seeds to better see the star.)stars in natureFrom a star in the sky, to one on the beach, to a star on the table. Nature uses patterns and finding these is a way of encouraging a connection to nature. We often limit our idea of nature to what is happening outside, but we are part of nature, and so is the food we eat. Checking out the star in an apple is another way for kids to think of nature as what’s happening up close and personal. Now, kids will look for more stars in nature.star-fruit-natureAre there any other things in the fridge that make a star? Although you likely won’t discover any, kids will look at what is there in a different way. A carrot is pointy like part of a star, a cauliflower (if you can afford one these days) has little tiny parts that are sort of like stars, and a banana looks more like the moon. Sometimes in the store, there is a piece of fruit called star fruit. Have you ever tried one?To find a star with other foods, we might just have to cut in a star shape, like this sandwich.star sandwich Discovering a star in an apple, isn’t a “play-of-the-day” but it has encouraged a connection to nature, used action for problem-solving,  sparked curiosity, and  raised a new question—what else has stars?

Uncategorized

Explore The Night Sky with Kids

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While the Star Wars movie had great pictures of the sky, there is nothing like the real thing so explore the night sky with kids.  At this time of year, it’s dark before bedtime so this is very doable. Dress for the weather and spend a few minutes star gazing with children.

night sky with kids

Just like the popular saying to stop and smell the roses, we also need to take the time to stop and look up. The night sky is so interesting and there’s something for kids of all ages. Wee little ones reach their hands out to the stars. Older kids might like to look for the shapes of animals or other things in the stars. There are some cool apps that can be set for the time of year and area that will superimpose constellations when a phone or ipad is aimed at a patch of sky. Observing the sky at night is another way to connect to nature.

Remember to check out the moon. What’s the shape of the moon tonight? Sometimes, the moon is round like a circle, but most of the time it looks like part of a circle. This part changes size and shape. Does it really look like there’s a man in the moon? Kids are pretty good at seeing a face in the moon. What’s the moon made of? Ask your child what s/he thinks. You can share the story that some people said it was made of green cheese.

night sky with kids

There are billions of stars in the sky. A few years ago, I went to South Africa for a conference. I really wondered before getting there how I could possibly see a different pattern of stars in the sky when there are so many. But I was astonished at how different the sky really did appear. I could tell in a glance the stars didn’t have the same pattern and the man in the moon wasn’t in the same spot either. When traveling, it’s amazing to look at the night sky.

Have you taken the time to explore the night sky with kids?

Nature Activities

#19 Ultimate Nature Adventure: Camping for Kids

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To finish off this ‘go wild for nature’ series, how about having the ultimate nature adventure? Camping for kids is a great way for connecting to nature. Your camping trip doesn’t have to be in a wild, isolated region. It can be right in your local area and even in the backyard. Adults often need … Continue reading #19 Ultimate Nature Adventure: Camping for Kids →