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ANIMALS/WILDLIFE

September 10, 2020

10 Tips for Letting Your Kids Help with Chores

In ANIMALS/WILDLIFE, FARM, INFORMATION, OUTDOOR ACTIVITIES

Getting kids to help out around the house with chores can feel like an overwhelming task at times. Very rarely do kids offer to clean up the playroom, put dishes away or walk the dog. However, kids are naturally curious, want to spend time with their parents, and love helping out in the right circumstances. Today, we have Creative Team member Jake Smith, Washington farmer and dad of four, here sharing 1o tips for letting…

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August 4, 2020

Fun with Fireflies

In ANIMALS/WILDLIFE, INFORMATION, LESSONS, OUTDOOR ACTIVITIES, PRINTABLES, SUMMER

Fireflies (or lightning bugs) are one of my all-time favorite things about summer in the Midwest. It can be brutally hot and humid here during the long summer days, but something magical happens at dusk. As the heat fades away and the sun casts long shadows over the yards, you can start to see the faint twinkling of fireflies coming out to play. Today, a few members of our Creative Team are sharing some of…

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July 13, 2020

Exploring California Coast Tidepools

In ANIMALS/WILDLIFE, BEACH, FISH, INFORMATION, OUTDOOR ACTIVITIES, SUMMER

Tidepools are incredible little shallow puddles of seawater with a life of their own! Each one is a microcosm – a tiny little rocky world filled with fascinating creatures and sea life. Exploring tidepools with kids provides endless hours of entertainment and learning for the whole family. There’s so much to observe and discover. Today, Araceli Gonzalez, Northern California mom of three, is here to take you on an adventure through the tidepools along the…

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kidsoutside9
July 1, 2020

Poison Ivy, Mosquitoes, and Ticks, Oh My!

In ANIMALS/WILDLIFE, INFORMATION, OUTDOOR ACTIVITIES, SUMMER

Poison ivy, mosquitoes, and ticks sure do make it less pleasant to spend time outside in the summer, but not impossible! Getting outside is always worth it and more important than ever for kids right now. This time of year, we get a ton of questions from concerned parents about how to keep these summertime pests and nuisances away. Spoiler alert – it’s not always possible. And in that case, how should you treat bites…

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May 12, 2020

Hatching Chicks in an Incubator with Kids

In ANIMALS/WILDLIFE, INFORMATION, NATURE SCHOOL, SPRING

Bringing nature inside is an excellent way to engage children, learn new things and make family memories. There are many ways to incorporate nature experiences into our homes and schooling. These are a great complement to outdoor nature excursions and adventures. One incredible way to teach your children about nature, caring from animals and life cycles is to hatch baby chicks! Today, we have Ginny Yurich, founder of the 1000 Hours Outside challenge, here to…

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making pine cone bird feeders with kids
February 17, 2020

Easy and Eco-friendly Bird Feeders to Make with Kids

In ANIMALS/WILDLIFE, CRAFTS, GOOD FOR NATURE

Did you know that birds, on average, eat between ¼ to ½ of their body weight every day? That’s a lot of calories for a bird to scrounge up every day, especially in the barren winter months. Feeding the birds is such a great way to get kids involved with nature and teach our children how to observe and feed wild animals. It’s no wonder so many of us love to help feed our feathered…

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December 18, 2019

Winter Solstice Family Traditions & DIY Ornaments

In ANIMALS/WILDLIFE, GOOD FOR NATURE, HOLIDAYS, OUTDOOR ACTIVITIES, WINTER

The Winter Solstice is quickly approaching. December 21 marks the first day of winter (here in the Northern Hemisphere), which is the shortest day and the longest night of the year. The days ahead will be longer and brighter, which calls for a celebration in my books! Many families adopt traditions for the Winter Solstice that they do every year to get outside and celebrate the change of the seasons. Traditions help us remember the…

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September 9, 2019

Helping Kids Overcome Fear of Insects, Snakes & Creepy-Crawlies

In ANIMALS/WILDLIFE, GOOD FOR NATURE, INFORMATION, OUTDOOR ACTIVITIES

Slugs, snakes, and spiders…oh my! The fear of insects, snakes, worms, butterflies, bees, spiders and other so-called creepy crawlies* is very common for young children. It’s also pretty common in adults! However, a phobia like this can keep your child from spending time in nature and playing outdoors, both of which are extremely important for children. Today, we’re here with some tried and true tips, tricks and methods to help kids (and parents) overcome fears…

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August 19, 2019

How to Plant a Butterfly Garden with Your Child

In ANIMALS/WILDLIFE, GARDENING, GOOD FOR NATURE, OUTDOOR ACTIVITIES, SUMMER

The joy of digging in the dirt, growing flowers, and watching butterflies alight on fragrant blooms make growing a butterfly garden a magical summertime activity for kids of all ages. Today, we have the amazing outdoor adventure mom Josée, from The Backwoods Mama, here teach us all about why butterflies matter, what flower they’re attracted to and how to help butterflies thrive by planting a butterfly garden with your child. Planting a butterfly garden is…

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Feeling Duckweed
July 15, 2019

Nature Study: Exploring Ponds with Kids

In ANIMALS/WILDLIFE, LESSONS, NATURE SCHOOL, OUTDOOR ACTIVITIES

Summer is a perfect time to get kids outdoors to explore and experience new things! And what better place to enjoy on hot days than someplace with water? Today, the incredible Leslie Alvis (Ohio homeschooling mom of 4) gives us a unique look at a common place your children can explore this summer: the ever-delightful and intriguing pond. Exploring ponds with kids is not only fascinating and fun, but it’s also educational! There’s so much…

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May 13, 2019

20 Benefits of Raising Kids Around Animals

In ANIMALS/WILDLIFE, INFORMATION, OUTDOOR ACTIVITIES

Animals are a part of many children’s lives and that’s a good thing because there are some truly amazing benefits of raising kids around animals. Animals large and small love, teach, delight, and offer a special kind of companionship for children and adults. Whether your companion animal is a dog, cat, fish, turtle, chicken, horse, hamster, lizard or pig, there are so many wonderful effects on kids that grow up having animals around. Benefits of…

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