Tag

leslie alvis

7 Simple Nature Activities for Kids That Inspire a Love for the Outdoors

In ANIMALS/WILDLIFE, OUTDOOR ACTIVITIES

Step into the captivating embrace of nature, where the beauty of the world unfolds in its purest form, and the wonders of the outdoors await. As parents, we have the power to ignite our children’s passion for the natural world and create lifelong bonds that will shape their relationship with the environment. Through simple yet enriching nature activities, we can embark on a journey of discovery alongside our children, weaving enduring threads of connection with…

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kids campfire cooking

Camping Food Your Kids Will Love Eating & Making

In CAMP, Cooking, OUTDOOR ACTIVITIES, RECIPES

One of the best parts of camping is the time spent in nature as a family. And, of course, time spent outside makes kids hungry! Those three meals a day (plus dessert and snacks, of course!) roll around with frightening regularity when you’re feeding hungry, active children on camping trips. But don’t worry! Camping food can be easy, fun, and delicious. And meals can involve the whole family (yes, even the kids). Today, Leslie Alvis,…

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examining tulips

Dissecting Daffodils and Tulips with Kids

In CRAFTS, LESSONS, NATURE SCHOOL, OUTDOOR ACTIVITIES, OUTDOORS INSIDE, SPRING

Some of the first signs of spring are the colorful blossoms of tulips and daffodils. Without fail, those early pops of springtime color bring delight to our souls. As the tulips and daffodils bravely poke their leaves up through the soil, send out stems and buds, and then finally bloom, they remind us that winter will not last forever. And while they’re beautiful to admire and look at, they’re also a fun and hands-on way for…

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Ferrocerium Rod

Wilderness Survival Skills for Teens and Tweens

In CAMP, INFORMATION, LESSONS, NATURE SCHOOL, OUTDOOR ACTIVITIES, TEENS

Getting kids outside to experience the wonders of nature isn’t limited to the early childhood years. In a world infused with technology and fast-paced demands, our teens and tweens need the great outdoors more than ever. However, by the time they’ve reached their teen years, our kids are often past the days of playing at the park for hours on end. So, how do we encourage them to continue to love nature, to explore its…

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girl and horse

Animal Safety with Kids

In ANIMALS/WILDLIFE, FARM, INFORMATION, URBAN NATURE

Kids and animals go together like peanut butter and jelly. There are so many amazing benefits of raising kids around animals, including teaching them about responsibility, empathy, compassion, patience, and love. But that doesn’t mean that there aren’t safety concerns for both the child and the animal. Today, Leslie Alvis, Ohio homesteading mom of four (and daughter of vets) is here to address all your potential concerns regarding animal safety and children. In this post,…

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Raising Chickens with kids

Raising Chickens with Kids

In ANIMALS/WILDLIFE, FARM, GOOD FOR NATURE, INFORMATION, URBAN NATURE

Have you ever dreamed of raising your own chickens, but weren’t sure how to get started? Do you want to know if chickens are the right pet for you? Are you wondering if chickens are safe to raise around kids? Today, Leslie Alvis, our resident crazy chicken lady, Creative Team member, and homeschooling and homesteading mom of four is sharing her love of chickens with you. Leslie grew up raising chickens, had a long chicken…

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Owling with Kids

In ANIMALS/WILDLIFE, HIKE, INFORMATION, OUTDOOR ACTIVITIES, URBAN NATURE, WINTER

Have you ever spotted an owl in the wild? Have you heard one calling through the woods at dusk? Owls are fascinating, yet elusive birds, made even more mysterious by their silent flight and their nocturnal habits. But, finding owls isn’t impossible—you just have to know where and when to look. Today, Leslie Alvis, Ohio homeschooling mom of four shares her family’s experiences owling with kids and some tips for your own owling adventures. “When…

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Apple Butter

Family Traditions: Making Open-Fire Apple Butter with Kids

In FALL, OUTDOOR ACTIVITIES, RECIPES

If this past year has taught us anything, it’s that family matters more than ever before and we should not take the time we spend together for granted. We’ve also learned that sometimes it’s nice to slow things down and it’s even nicer to do that outside, surrounded by those you love. Today, our Creative Team member and Ohio homeschooling mom of four, Leslie Alvis, shares her family’s tradition of making old-fashioned homemade open-fire apple…

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kidsoutside9

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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Reflections on Quarantine

In INFORMATION, MCFAMILY

While the pandemic has affected us all differently, it’s affected us ALL in some way. We’re more than two months into the thick of things here in the US and some stay home orders are finally starting to be lifted. While things sometimes feel like they’re trying to get back to normal, there’s still so much unknown about what’s to come. One of the things that’s helped me through some of these difficult times is…

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Creating Nature Fairy Garden 4

Creating Nature Fairy Gardens

In CRAFTS, NATURE SCHOOL, OUTDOOR ACTIVITIES, URBAN NATURE

Are you looking for a nature activity for your children that requires no special preparation or supplies? Has the last month left you burnt out from trying to keep your children’s’ days full of magical projects that you have to shop for, plan, and oversee? Are your outdoor adventures currently limited to your own yard? Then this is the perfect activity for you! Today we have the amazing Leslie Alvis, Ohio homeschooling mama to four,…

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