tiffany griffin

GOOD FOR NATURE, INFORMATION, OUTDOOR ACTIVITIES
Grounding with Kids – The Benefits of Earthing for Kids
- March 27, 2024
Children today are more stressed and anxious than ever. With all the changes, conflicts, and uncertainty in the world right now, taking care of our kids’ mental health should be on the top of our priority list. One of the easiest ways to help calm anxiety (in both kids and adults) is by spending time outside in nature. The healing power of nature is immense and the benefits of the outdoors are incredible for physical and mental health. Today, Tiffany Griffin (Texas homeschooling mom and photographer) is here to discuss one easy way to help kids connect to the earth with grounding. She explains what grounding is, what the benefits are, and ways your kids can recharge and reap the benefits of mother nature.

Connecting with nature

Do you know that feeling when looking at a beautiful mountain ridge? Or the way your mind eases when you hear the soft rippling flow of stream? That is Mother Nature doing her best work. Just the experience of being in and surrounded by nature is healing. Research has shown (and mental health professionals agree) that spending time in green (and blue) spaces is good for the mind, body, and soul.

Now, imagine what that would do for you and your children if you were to physically connect yourself to the earth outside of your visual experience. Instead of just being in nature, you’re touching it as a full sensory experience. That’s what grounding (earthing) is all about.

The ground we walk on is full of positively charged ions, just waiting to realign your electrical energy. The Earth is like a gigantic battery that contains a natural, subtle electrical charge. Our entire world is beautifully electrical, and we are electrical beings made of atoms living amongst a plethora of other electrical beings! Everything on this planet is made of atoms, meaning everything has a positive, negative, or neutral charge. For safety and stability, almost everything in the electrical world is connected to the earth and its charge.

Unfortunately, when your body’s overall charge is off, chemical reactions happen that shouldn’t. We are – in short, a variety of chemical reactions. Think of yourself as a LONG-lasting battery. You can keep going, but you NEED a recharge every now and then. Mother Nature has the ultimate remedy for you when you’re feeling off or need recharging. Enter – grounding.

For additional information on electrical charges and free radicals, check out this post from The Earthing Institute.

Photo credit: @kristcx

What is grounding?

When your body is in direct contact with the earth, without any disruption, like shoes or carpet – that is grounding. Earthing is the intentional practice of allowing your bare skin to be in contact with the earth. Earthing happens when you walk on the ground with bare feet, touch a tree, or lie in the grass.

The act of grounding (also called earthing) is a therapeutic technique that involves doing activities that “ground” or electrically reconnect you to the earth. This means that when you physically touch the ground, electrical charges are transferred from the earth to you, positively affecting your body. The energy from the earth nurtures and balances your body at the deepest levels, decreasing inflammation, pain, stress, and fatigue.

This is true for children as well! Children can practice earthing by just touching the earth as much as possible. Building sand castles, making tree forts, helping in the garden, swimming in the lake or ocean are all ways kids can be exposed to the earth’s healing energy. Sitting or walking on the concrete is another way to connect to the ground as concrete is moist and conductive. The more extensive and longer periods of time children spend touching the earth, the greater the benefits, which in turn encourages self-regulation and releases negative feelings.

In simple terms – go outside, take your shoes off, and make direct contact! It’s good for you and the best way to “ground.”

Benefits of grounding for kids

People all over the world in diverse cultures have talked about the benefits of grounding (earthing) and how to improve their health and well-being from being barefoot on the earth for thousands of years. Although this may seem new to some, it is really prevalent in other cultures and has been around for centuries.

When you are grounded to the earth, you feel centered, strong, solid, balanced, stable, less tense, and less stressed. Grounding has been shown to reduce inflammation, improve emotional regulation, and decrease pain. It’s been connected with improving heart rate, stress levels, sleep, healing, and immunity.

While grounding does wonders for an adult, imagine how important this practice is for our generation of children? These days, just the act of relying on the earth for any form of healing feels like an act of rebellion. If you’re reading this and thinking it’s way too “woo woo” and granola for you, you’re not alone! It does sound a bit crazy. But trust me and hear me out.

Photo credit: @roaminggonzalez

Connection to the earth

Far fewer things can provide to our mind, body, and soul what mother nature can in her raw form. We know just being outside is good for us – it provides us with vitamin D, which triggers an anti-microbial response. It helps us relax, makes us more creative, and decreases stress levels.

Connecting physically with the Earth takes that a step farther, providing even more amazing benefits. Allowing your children to be exposed to dirt exposes them to a variety of bacteria and microorganisms that boost the immune system, reduce allergies, and works as an all-natural anti-depressant and stress management. Earthing helps you to sleep better, lessens anxiety and depression, helps your body heal, reduces inflammation and blood pressure, relieves muscle and joint pain, increases energy while promoting calmness, and enhances overall health.

Not only is grounding/earthing beneficial, but it is also crucial for raising healthy and mentally strong children. How amazing is it that we can turn an entire day around by just placing our feet on the earth!?

Grounding ideas for kids

Incorporating earthing into your child’s routine can be a delightful and enriching experience. Now that you know why grounding is so important and what it can do for you, here are a few ways you can experience the benefits of grounding and earthing with your children. Here are some practical and creative grounding exercises, grounding activities and grounding techniques to help your kids connect with the Earth and reap the benefits of grounding:

1. Barefoot nature walk

The easiest way to experience grounding is to get outside barefoot! Our feet have a high amount of nerve endings which are needed for electron transfer to occur. You could spend as little as 10 minutes outside and see some benefits. Take your shoes and socks off and place your feet directly on the ground. Walk together barefoot outside on dry or wet grass and/or dirt! Even concrete or brick is a conductor and can transfer energy and electrons.

Hold hands with your child, take a moment from the real world and just enjoy the conversation! Ask them to pay attention to the feeling of different surfaces under their feet – the softness of grass, the roughness of a dirt path, the cool, uneven surface of pebbles, etc. This sensory exploration can be a great learning experience. This is a wonderful way to connect with your child (and the earth) and a great stress relief for you both. Mud is even better – embrace the mess! Tap into your inner child and just DO IT!

2. Hug a tree

Show Mother Nature some love by hugging your favorite tree (any tree will do!). Firm pressure is an excellent way for kids to feel more stable and grounded. Lots of therapies have kids hug themselves, but hugging a tree works great for this, as it gives kids the pressure they crave, combined with the connection to nature.

Feel the texture and smell the bark. Put your cheek on the tree and take it all in! Give it a big hard squeeze and feel the pressure points and all the contact. Hugging a tree can increase your levels of the hormone oxytocin. This hormone is responsible for feeling calm and emotional bonding.

3. Feet in the sand or submerge in water

If you’re lucky enough to live near the beach or body of water – enjoy it! Wet sand is the best conductor of energy from the earth. Ever wonder why the coasts always have some major vibes…Mother Nature knows what she’s doing!

The Blue Mind theory, popularized by marine biologist and neuroscientist Wallace J. Nichols, Ph.D., is the mildly meditative state people fall into when they are near, in, under, or on water. This theory posits that spending time near or around water (be it oceans, lakes, or rivers), triggers a neurological and psychological response that promotes relaxation, reduces stress, and enhances overall well-being. By immersing ourselves in the sights and sounds of blue spaces, we tap into a deep-seated connection with water that calms our mental state, encourages creativity, inspires reflection, and fosters a sense of interconnectedness with the natural world.

(Be sure to read our full post on the benefits of spending time in Blue Spaces.)

Some grounding advocates believe that water may be used to ground in the same way the physical earth is used for grounding. They suggest simply wading in a clear lake, walking through a creek, or swimming in the ocean as a way to ground yourself. As always, be sure to stay safe when swimming, especially in murky or deep waters, supervise children, and use flotation devices.

4. Sit spot

The idea of sit spotting is simple: find a special place in nature and then become comfortable with just being there, still and quiet. In this place, nature will surround you, soothe you, entertain you, and seep into you. Sit spotting gives you a personal and intimate place in nature which will soothe, comfort and relax you, as you get to know the location.

Your special place could be anywhere outside – at a local park or even in your back yard. Visit that place together often with your kids and talk about the world around you and how things have changed since your last visit. Sitting on a blanket is fine, but on the bare ground is best. Take your shoes off and explore.

You will notice quickly that our world is MUCH bigger than it seems. Talk about the plants, trees, animals, and bugs around you! Talk about the way your body feels in the present moment (and does it change as you sit there?). Incorporate a breathing exercise into your sit spot by doing some deep breathing and taking in your surroundings. This is especially helpful for children with sensory difficulties. This is also my favorite grounding activity for those hard days when the world feels extra heavy. If your child having an off day, take them to a “sit spot!”

Photo credit: @kristcx

5. Gardening

Gardening provides an opportunity for children to practice of earthing while engaging in a hands-on learning experience. As kids dig their hands into the soil, they connect with the earth physically and develop a deeper understanding of the natural world around them.

Gardening allows children to witness firsthand the magic of plant growth, from seed to harvest, instilling in them a sense of wonder and appreciation for the interconnectedness of all living things. Moreover, as they interact with various plants and insects in the garden, children learn valuable lessons about biodiversity, ecosystem dynamics, and the importance of respecting and nurturing the environment.

By tending a garden, kids learn responsibility, patience, and perseverance as they observe the gradual progress of their plants and take on tasks like watering, weeding, and harvesting. Gardening also encourages creativity and problem-solving skills. Gardening is a great tool that helps kids develop a sense of pride and accomplishment in contributing to the creation of a beautiful and thriving garden space while deepening their connection to the earth and all its wonders.

For more information on this topic, be sure to check out our Ultimate Guide to Gardening with Kids.

Photo credit: @wendycoxphotography

6. 5-4-3-2-1 game

While different strategies work for different kids, this grounding exercise is super simple and can be done by kids of all ages, nearly anywhere. All they need to do is pay attention to their senses and the environment around them. The 5-4-3-2-1 grounding technique is effective because it helps children focus on something tangible using their senses. It helps the mind focus, slowing down any racing thoughts or strong emotions that may be contributing to feelings of anxiety.

Here’s how to do it. When you’re outside in nature, have your child identify the following:
- five things they can see
- four things they can hear
- three things they can smell
- two things they can touch,
- one thing they can taste
Battling the excuses

Weather (hot and cold), and hazardous or unsanitary surfaces keep many people from grounding and experiencing the power of being barefoot outside. Let’s get over those excuses and how to overcome them. Here’s some practical information on how to handle each of these excuses so that you can get outside and experience the benefits of grounding.

Weather

I know many parents who will use the weather as an excuse not to ground themselves. And weather conditions such as extreme heat or cold can present challenges for children to play outside barefoot. However, with proper preparation and awareness, mitigating these concerns and enjoying outdoor barefoot play is possible.

During the summer months children often have more opportunity to practice earthing or grounding as they spend a greater amount of time outside barefoot. During hot weather, we schedule outdoor playtime during cooler parts of the day, such as early mornings or evenings, to avoid the peak heat hours. Additionally, we seek shaded areas, wet areas (such as creeks), or grassy spots, which tend to be cooler than pavement or concrete surfaces. Stay vigilant for signs of discomfort or overheating, and encourage your children to stay hydrated by drinking plenty of water (popsicles also help).

On the other hand, during cold weather, time outside barefoot should be closely monitored by parents. Don’t worry, we’re not asking you to play outside in the snow barefoot! But, if it’s reasonable outside, then wearing warm layers will help protect against chilly temperatures, while still allowing for some barefoot exploration. Emphasize the importance of monitoring children for signs of discomfort or frostbite and encouraging regular breaks indoors to warm up.

Photo credit: @roaminggonzalez

Unsafe surfaces

Lots of parents I know often express concerns about hazardous or unsanitary surface conditions when it comes to letting their kids play outside barefoot. Many parents are worried about their child stepping on broken glass at the park, or sharp rocks in the creek. Some parents are just opposed to their kids feet getting muddy, dirty, and “gross.”

However, while it’s essential to be mindful of potential risks, it’s also crucial to recognize the benefits of grounding for children’s well-being. Scout out safe areas for barefoot play. Look for grassy patches, sandy beaches, or well-maintained playgrounds where the risk of injury or exposure to harmful substances is minimized. Encourage you kids to ground in your own backyard.

Regularly check your child’s feet for any signs of injury or infection. If your child has a cut or open wound on their foot, it’s best to avoid earthing until it heals to prevent any risk of infection. Some children may have allergies to certain plants or grasses, so observe your child for any allergic reactions during their first few earthing experiences. Always supervise younger children during earthing activities. This not only ensures their physical safety but also allows you to guide and educate them about the process and its benefits.

Additionally, encourage children to inspect their surroundings and avoid areas with broken glass, sharp objects, or animal waste. Teaching them to be aware of their environment fosters a sense of responsibility and helps them make informed decisions about where to play barefoot safely.

By taking these precautions, earthing can be a safe, enjoyable, and beneficial activity for children. Remember, earthing is supposed to enhance our children’s well-being, so safety should always be the primary concern.

Photo credit: @motherhenshomestead

Overcoming Nature Deficit Disorder

There is much to say about kids spending too much time indoors. This issue has become so extreme that the crisis has a name: Nature deficit disorder. Many studies have shown that kids who play outside are smarter, happier, more attentive, and less stressed or anxious than kids who spend more time indoors. Regular exposure to the outdoors and frequent – even daily – grounding can provide you and your child with multiple benefits and create some quality time to slow down and enjoy some “be here now” quality time with each other lowering stress levels and creating a tighter bond!

Mother Nature has always had a beautiful way of calming the mind if you let her. Nature is all around us and offers more benefits than we can ever imagine. Spending time in nature is free and gives back so much. Sometimes, on the days that feel exceptionally hard (and in these crazy times it might be more days than not) the answer to some of our problems lie right under our feet.

Photo credit: @meghavlaarphoto

Grounding (earthing) with kids

Grounding with kids through activities like barefoot nature walks, tree-hugging, sit spotting, and gardening offers simple yet profound ways to connect with the healing power of nature. As we’ve explored, spending time outdoors allows children to recharge their spirits, calm anxiety, and foster a deeper appreciation for the natural world. Whether it’s feeling the earth beneath their feet, getting their hands dirty in the soil, or simply immersing themselves in the sights and sounds of nature, the benefits of outdoor experiences are unparalleled for both physical and mental well-being.

By understanding the concept of grounding and embracing opportunities for outdoor play and exploration, parents can provide their children with invaluable opportunities to thrive. Not only do these activities promote physical health and development, but they also nurture a sense of wonder, curiosity, and connection to the world around them. So, let’s encourage our kids to kick off their shoes, dig in the dirt, and bask in the beauty of nature. Together, let’s reap the incredible benefits that Mother Nature has to offer, and cultivate a lifelong love and respect for the earth and all its wonders.

About the author

Tiffany is a Texas homeschooling Mama of three earthside children, one baby girl that travels among the stars and a brand new bouncing baby boy. She is a vintage obsessed, wicker collecting, tree-loving photographer, creator, painter, writer and loves to document her children’s childhood and is passionate about sharing her take on motherhood, raising children outside of the “norm” and in nature. Tiffany’s passionate about kids’ mental health, social justice, and taking care of the planet.

You can find more from Tiffany in the following locations:
Instagram: @dear.wildlings
RWMC posts: Tiffany Griffin
CRAFTS, HOLIDAYS, OUTDOOR ACTIVITIES, WINTER
Dried Fruit Holiday Garland
- December 9, 2020
We love holiday crafts, projects, and traditions. If you’re looking for a fun new tradition to start with your kids, making dried fruit garland is a great one! This fun and easy project is made from natural items, is eco-friendly, and easy enough for little kids to help with. Plus, you’ll end up with a beautiful decoration to hang on your mantle, tree, or cozy spot of your choosing! Today, the uber-talented Tiffany Griffin, Texas homeschooling mom of four, walks us through the process of how to make your own dried fruit garland with kids. She’s got a step-by-step tutorial with all the details – you’ll be pleasantly surprised by how fun and easy this project is!

Starting a new holiday tradition

Traditions are a big thing in our family. I find around the holidays, my heart aches for slow mornings, simple crafts, and quality time with my children. I can only hope my love for traditions rubs off on them to pass down to generations after me. One of our favorite holiday traditions is the ever popular dried fruit garland! If you’re looking for a fun new tradition to start with your kids this year, making a dried fruit holiday garland should be at the top of your list!

There are so many reasons this activity is so wonderful. It’s great for little hands and helps with dexterity and fine motor skills. Not only is drying fruit a gift of beauty from mother nature, but it is also a sustainable craft that requires little to no waste. Leftovers can be composted, used to infuse for water/homemade cleaning solutions, or in our case, fed to our pet Lizards. Win! It will also add so much natural beauty to your home (and smells great, too!).

The history behind holiday citrus

While the drying of fruit has been around for countless years, are you aware of why oranges are seen as a “holiday” fruit? During the Great Depression, oranges and citrus fruits were considered a luxury item. Most families could not afford citrus fruit at all, any time of year. But they’d splurge at Christmastime and give oranges, which became a symbol of gold and wealth! Ever received an orange in your stocking? That is why!

Optional air-dry clay beads

We decided to add in some hand made beads to turn this project into a fine motor skills activity. Molding clay improves children’s spatial awareness and 3D visualization abilities. Throw in the wonderful dexterity workout that is threading the oranges and beads and you have a full force sensory craft to share with your children, while also creating a tradition that can be shared each year!

How to make your own dried fruit garland with air-dry clay beads

STEP 1: Cut the oranges into 1/4 in slices.

STEP 2: Pat dry as much as possible, the drier the better!! It is very important to get as much juice off of the oranges/grapefruit that you can. Paper towels and terrycloth rags do wonders!

STEP 3: Once the fruit is as dry as you feel you can get it, place the slices on parchment paper on a cooking sheet. I found it was helpful, but not necessary to bake them on a cooling rack. If you don’t have one, no worries!

STEP 4: Preheat your oven to 200 degrees and put in your fruit! The middle rack works best! Cook them for about three hours, making sure to flip halfway through. Be sure to check on them about every 30 minutes to make sure they are not browning. If they are, take them out and allow them to cool and dry out for 12-24 hours before resuming.

Step 5: Allow the fruit to set out until they are completely cool. This is a good time to make your beads!

Step 6: Using air dry clay, have your kids roll the clay into small balls. You can do all the same size or various sizes. Use a toothpick to make a hole through the ball big enough for your string/jute/twine. Allow to dry and harden.

Step 7: Once the fruit slices are cooled and dry you can use a toothpick to make two small holes through your fruit to thread your string/jute/twine through the oranges to create a garland! Alternate between fruit and beads.

Step 8: Hang your garland and enjoy!

Have you ever made dried fruit garland?

About the author

Tiffany is a homeschooling Mama of four earthside children, one baby girl that travels among the stars. She is a vintage-obsessed, wicker-collecting, tree-loving photographer, creator, painter, and writer. She loves to document her children’s childhood and is passionate about sharing her take on motherhood, raising children outside of the “norm” and in nature. She’s crafty, creative, and passionate about mental and emotional health. She’s a big believer in the healing power of nature.

You can find more from Tiffany in the following locations:
Instagram: @dear.wildlings
RWMC posts: Tiffany Griffin
CRAFTS, LESSONS, OUTDOOR ACTIVITIES
Nature-Inspired Outdoor STEAM Activities for Kids
- November 20, 2020
STEAM is not a new concept. In fact, it is integrated into curricula throughout the US and in many other countries around the world. The internet is also full of many activities that are STEAM inspired and teach kids about the core concepts contained therein. However, the vast majority of these activities are designed to happen in the classroom. But here at Run Wild My Child, we know kids learn best when they’re outside and it’s fun. So, we are taking STEAM learning outdoors! Today, members of our Creative Team are sharing five fun and educational hands-on nature-inspired outdoor STEAM activities for kids.

What is STEAM?

Let’s back up a bit and dive into what STEAM is. Most people are familiar with the term STEM (science, technology, engineering, and math) which was introduced into the US educational scene back in 2001. The lesser-known acronym, STEAM (science, technology, engineering, art, and math), is essentially an extension of the same idea, with the addition of art. By adding art into the mix the concept becomes more well-rounded and provides children with many more opportunities to be innovative, creative, and inventive.

In fact, Left Brain Craft Brain shared that the inclusion of art is beneficial in the following ways:
- Art helps remove idea inhibition (there’s no wrong answer in art!).
- It focuses on the process which helps drive innovation.
- Art teaches the power of observation, of people and your surroundings.
- It helps hone spatial awareness and mathematical concepts like geometry.
Combining the elements of STEAM

This method is not simply ensuring children are receiving an education that includes all of these elements. It goes much deeper than that. STEAM is rooted in the idea that these concepts should be taught together and in ways that mirror real life. This learning focuses on showing how the concepts in different subjects work together to create a whole picture.

Shelley Brewer from STEAM Powered Family said it well:

Jobs in the real world are interdisciplinary. We need to educate children in how subjects integrate and work together. They need to develop diverse skills sets and a passion for exploration and growth. We don’t need children to memorize random facts anymore. We have so many facts at our finger tips now…Instead it [education] is about learning how to think critically and evaluate information. How to apply knowledge, research and skills to problem solve.”

STEAM activities and nature

As we’ve seen, STEAM education is really about asking questions, exploring, observing, experimenting, and predicting what will happen. If you’ve ever seen a child engaged in play outside, then you know that all of these things come naturally to children when they are outside in nature. Nature allows children the freedom to explore and observe what interests them in the moment. Then, they can follow-up on what they discovered with questions, predictions, or experiments. This is where parents can be the most helpful. We can watch our children focus on something and then ask questions and offer activities to further engage them and provide more information.

The best part is, we don’t even need to know the information to be helpful. We can model saying, “I don’t know,” and researching the answers. In fact, we should do this. STEAM’s philosophy is founded on learning in real-world situations, and researching answers to questions.

We can also read nature-focused books to our children or watch short educational videos to take that new real-life nature discovery and add factual information in an engaging way. Children love it when something they’ve seen in real life shows up in a book or video.

This is the beauty of STEAM and nature. They are fairly open-ended and flexible in how we learn from them. There are so many ways to integrate STEAM concepts and learning into everyday nature adventures. Below are just a few ideas for nature-inspired outdoor STEAM activities that take learning outside.

Taking STEAM learning outside

To help you get started, the RWMC Creative Team put together five nature-inspired outdoor STEAM activities for kids that are easy to do and will get you outside. While we used the subjects in STEAM to break the activities up, each activity integrates two or more of the other STEAM subjects. Those are listed with each activity to help give you an idea of how easy it is for these subjects to overlap and replicate real-world projects and problem-solving.

Here are five nature-inspired outdoor STEAM activities that each focus on one element (science, technology, engineering, art, or math) and also incorporate others to create fun and unique learning experiences for kids.

S – Science

Nichole, from Lucky Wanderers is our resident science expert. She’s here to tackle the S (science) portion of the STEAM activities. She offers a couple different ideas on how to incorporate science into studying nature with children.

Science has always been near and dear to my heart. It’s the lens through which most of our homeschool studies pass through. The really amazing thing about science is that there are so many ways to study it! When my kids were very little, the easiest way to begin science studies was nature study. Nature study is preliminary botany and biology and a bit of animal sciences. It’s the process of noticing and learning the world around you, sometimes even right in your own backyard!

“We are all meant to be naturalists, each in his own degree, and it is inexcusable to live in a world so full of the marvels of plant and animal life and to care for none of these things.” – Charlotte Mason.

Nature study and journaling

Our nature study began with birds. We started by putting up a few bird feeders in our back yard, placed our bird guides right in our window and started a journal to keep track of what we saw. Each morning at breakfast we would throw open our window shades and be delighted at spotting Red Bellied Woodpeckers, Carolina Wrens, and even a few House Finches. My children were little so their journals were actually full of little drawings of what they saw. As they have grown, their drawings have become more detailed. We still keep track of what we see out that window. We studied migration patterns, bird habitats, and learned about the importance of providing native plants for our bird population.

The process of nature journaling begins simply, as a way to help stimulate observation in your children, but as they age you can dive deeper into the studies. Once we found a Polyphemus Moth in our backyard, which led us to journal it, labeling the beautiful eye spots, antenna, and other body parts. Curiosity then took us on a side study to figure out what it eats and why it was in our yard, along with the life cycle.

Over the years we’ve collected a nice pile of journals, filled with progressively more detailed drawings, of things my children have spotted on our adventures. When we get home, we pull out all of our nature guides, learning in detail about what we spotted. The journaling process makes it stick. Along with that they are working on their penmanship and sharpening their art skills. Nature journaling in of itself becomes a beautiful mixing of art and science, and you can be as detailed or as minimal as you want. There are no rules. John Muir Laws makes a wonderful book that can help get you started with nature journaling.

Technology also walks hand in hand with our science studies. We often use the Seek by iNaturalist app to identify things we do not know, while out adventuring. (More on this app below.)

Recently, we took our nature journaling to the microbial level. My kids were curious about soil and my microbiology loving heart couldn’t hold back my excitement. We learned how to make a soil suspension, I taught my children how to make a wet mount slide, and then stepped back and waited for the excited shouts when they discovered a nematode wiggling across the viewfinder. Through that experiment, we were able to take a look at our soil health, and maybe improve it. Which leads to a healthier garden and more botany studies.

It’s all about perspective and when you learn to look at the world around you with constant curiosity, you will see the interconnectedness of all the disciplines.

Primary STEAM subject: Science
Integrated STEAM subjects: Art and technology

T – Technology

Technology is everywhere these days and kids love all things tech! This generation has grown up hand-in-hand with technology and kids today are very adept at technology. While we certainly don’t want your child spending a lot of time in front of a screen, we know that technology is an important part of the world our children and growing up in.

And not all screens are bad and technology certainly isn’t the enemy. We think balance is important in all aspects of life and kids need to learn about technology, in addition to spending time outside in nature. There are lots of ways that technology makes it fun and easy to get outside and learn.

Today, to tackle the technology portion of STEAM, we’ll explore four different apps that kids (and parents) can use to get outside, learn about the world around them, and have fun! Each of these apps is a new and creative way to combine technology with getting out of the house and makes it fun for kids. The apps are used during outdoor activities such as hiking, stargazing, and general exploring. Best of all, they’re completely FREE!

Using apps for outdoor learning and exploration

Geocaching – Geocaching (pronounced GEE-o-cash-ing) is a real-world, outdoor treasure hunt and it’s so much fun for kids and families. Using a free app on your phone, you pull up your geocaching map, choose a cache near you, navigate to a specific set of coordinates and then attempt to find a geocache (container) hidden at that location. Geocaches can be found all over the world and almost anywhere you can imagine! Our family is obsessed with geocaching and we love finding “treasure” anytime we’re out at the park, in the city, or hiking.

SkyView – To help your child learn astronomy through stargazing, there are some really great technology tools, including the SkyView Lite free app. The SkyView star finder app can help your child find and identify constellations using your phone’s camera. You child can use this app to find her favorite constellations as they fade in and out while scanning across the sky, locate the Moon, discover distant galaxies, and witness satellite fly-bys.

Seek by iNaturalist – Seek by iNaturalist is a really great app that can be used to identify plants, flowers, fungus, and more in your area. This app is great because it can be used anywhere, is completely free, and incredibly educational. Anytime we’re out exploring, hiking, or camping and come across an unfamiliar plant, we can open the app, snap a quick photo, tag our location, and try to figure out exactly what the plant is. It usually gives us suggestions and we use our observation and deduction skills to identify the plant. Plus, we can learn all kinds of interesting facts about it and document our adventure!

Alltrails -The Alltrails app boasts that “the beauty of nature doesn’t need to be hard to find.” This free and simple app holds the largest online collection of hand-curated trail guides, so you can hike and explore the outdoors with confidence. Anytime and anywhere. It’s easy for kids to use, helps teach them about reading maps, terrain, and elevation. Plus, users leave lots of helpful feedback on trails about whether the trail is kid-friendly, where to park, what to expect, and other useful info.

Primary STEAM subject: Technology
Integrated STEAM subjects: Science (geography, astronomy)

E – Engineering

Engineering is the ability to apply scientific knowledge to solve real-world problems. Engineering is the practical application of more abstract sciences like chemistry and physics. Kids can use engineering to solve a variety of problems, from figuring out how to stack rocks or blocks without them falling, to building simple machines (like pulleys) to determining the best tool to use for a project.

Engineering challenges teach so many things to kids, such as critical thinking, problem-solving, teamwork, and how materials behave in different situations. Even the youngest kids can use engineering for hands-on, educational fun.

We love using natural items found outside to take our engineering challenges to the next level. Not all our projects turn out well (I’m particularly thinking of a “build a boat out of leaves” project we tried a few years ago that immediately sunk resulting in lots of tears). But sometimes the best projects are the tough ones, because they teach kids how to fail without giving up, how things work (and don’t), and practical problem-solving skills.

Engineering a bird’s nest

To cover the E for Engineering portion of our outdoor STEAM activities, Sara McCarty and her family tried their hands at building a simple bird’s nest out of natural materials they found around their neighborhood. Here’s what she had to say:

We started by collecting items that a local bird could find in our yard (no string, no glue). The kids loved foraging for materials and collected sticks, ivy, flowers, leaves, branches, and milkweed vines and seed pods.

Once we’d collected our materials, it was time to begin the process. We brainstormed different ways to form the structure of the nest. There were quite a few failed attempts before we figured things out. Trial and error led us to eventually using the ivy to form a circle and starting from there. Quite often we remarked on how extraordinary birds were because they could build strong beautiful nests without hands!

When the outline of the nest was ready, we used the milkweed vines to form the center and the bottom. Wrapping them around your hand created a circular nest-like shape, which the kids inserted into their ivy structure. We used sticks and twigs to support the nest and give it a little extra stability.

The final step was decorating the nest (adding a little ART to our ENGINEERING). I think the girls had the most fun with this part. They added flowers they found and pretty leaves. They broke open the milkweed pods and pulled out the fluffy seeds to create a nice soft warm bed for the birds. The kids took so much pleasure in making the nests beautiful and I was shocked at how pretty the nests ended up being.

Making the bird nests was so much fun! Honestly, it was a little harder than I expected it to be and I was worried that they wouldn’t turn out. However, I was blown away at how resourceful and creative the kids were. They never gave up. They kept trying. Even when the nests fell apart, they didn’t get frustrated or angry. When something didn’t work, they tried something else. They helped each other. It was an amazing experience for me to watch as a parent and I think both me and the kids learned something valuable.

Primary STEAM subject: Engineering
Integrated STEAM subjects: Art

A – Art

We’ve already talked a bit about the benefits of adding art into STEAM activities. Art is a universal form of expression, as elemental as speaking or singing. Kids are naturally drawn to art and love creating. Everyone can make art – even those without artistic talent or training. Art is a way for kids to express themselves and show their creativity and imagination. Art is an essential part of the human experience.

Being outdoors and in nature is the perfect place to observe and appreciate art. Nature is beautiful and kids can find a lot of inspiration by looking at leaves, flowers, plants, and trees. And just as kids can quickly pick up stories or songs, they can easily turn their outdoor observations of nature and the world around them into art. There really is no comparison when using your treasured nature finds to create works of art!

Foraged Animal Art

Filling you in on the A in STEAM with beautiful art made with foraged nature treasures is Tiffany, of @dear.wildlings. Tiffany and her kids foraged for items in nature and used them to create beautiful works of nature art by creating animals. Here’s Tiffany with more…

This easy and fun STEAM craft allows children to focus on their observation skills to pay attention to detail. It also utilizes fine motor skills to create nature scenes and animals. This is great for kids of all ages and doesn’t take a lot of pre-planning or work to do.

While technically an ART project, you can easily incorporate a few other STEAM concepts to make it even more educational and fun for the kids. Add some science by discussing and learning about the kind of plants around your yard. Study and research the animals you want to try to recreate with your finds. Look them up in a book or online and learn about what they eat and where they live. Count the plants you collect, or how many you’re gluing on to your board with your children to incorporate more math into this activity.

For this activity, you will need:
- cardboard
- glue
- a collection basket
- some beautiful nature finds
What to do:
1. Go for a nature walk around your yard or your favorite local spot. Get outside, explore, and enjoy the fresh air.
2. Collect leaves, branches, berries, flowers, etc. The more variety, the better!
3. Glue all your nature goodies to cardboard to create animals of your choice. Let your imagination run wild!
Primary STEAM subject: Art
Integrated STEAM subjects: Science (biology)

M – Math

Nature and math go hand in hand so easily. With young kids, you can count acorns, pinecones, trees, rocks, leaves, and so much more. Once children enter elementary school, you can collect these same objects (or any others) and use them as math manipulables. Believe it or not, the majority (if not all) of elementary school math can be taught using nature. Check out Wild Math Curriculum to learn more.

We love integrating nature into our learning, and for us

Nature snowflakes

Since winter is right around the corner and snowflakes capture the imagination of children everywhere, Katie Fox, of Family in Wanderland, is bringing you a Nature Snowflakes outdoor STEAM activity that reinforces the concepts of symmetry and patterns.

Since we travel in an RV full-time, holiday decorations tend to be primarily the art we create and are almost always inspired by or contain pieces of nature. So, creating nature snowflakes to hang up for the holidays and provide us with a little snow, since our planned winter route taking us nowhere near actual snow, was an easy choice. Plus, the activity helps emphasize patterns, which is something we’ve been learning this year.

For this outdoor STEAM activity you really only need some nature items and a place to create your snowflakes. This can be the ground outside, a table, or even somewhere indoors if the weather isn’t ideal for outdoor activities. If you wish you keep them and use them as decorations for the holidays or give them away as gifts, you can glue them to thick paper/cardstock.

The first part of the activity was gathering the nature pieces. I explained to my children that we needed a lot of each item and that we wanted each item to be about the same size. We gathered sticks, pine needles, acorn tops, fallen leaves, and acorns. I broke the sticks apart to make them about the same length, but my five-year-old was a champion at finding sticks that were very similar in thickness and leaves that were about the same size.

My children insisted that snowflakes are white, so I brought out our white paint and we all spent a lot of time painting each snowflake piece. This is obviously not necessary, but was an impromptu addition to our activity.

Painting took up the majority of our time, so if you do not do that, this activity can be done really quickly. This was the three-year-old’s favorite part and he was a champ at painting the leaves.

The next step is to arrange the nature pieces into symmetrical designs. I made one as an example of what symmetry looks like, and then took it apart. Next I helped my kids out when needed, but gave them the space to try, ask questions, and even fail.

My five-year-old figured out how to create a pattern and make his snowflake look uniform. But, at first he struggled with spacing and consistency in design. I asked him questions like, “do you think your snowflake is symmetrical?” and “how could you get your snowflake to look the same on each side?” The three-year-old needed a little more help, but did pick the objects he wanted to use and helped lay all the pieces down into a pattern.

There are so many ways these same nature objects could be used to create unique and beautiful snowflakes. I honestly had a lot of fun too, so I am pretty sure this activity would be a hit with older children and teens as well. There’s only one way to find out. Give it a try!

Primary STEAM subject: Math
Integrated STEAM subjects: Art

Taking STEAM learning outdoors

There you have it! Five nature-inspired outdoor STEAM activities that harness the power of education. Taking STEAM learning outside is not only an easy way to spend more time in nature, it also allows your children another way to see how interconnected the STEAM subjects are in their lives. And since this is a fundamental principle guiding STEAM learning, it makes absolute sense to combine the two.

Rosealind Franklin – a British biophysicist whose important contributions to the understanding of the molecular structures of DNA helped later scientists understand how genes are passed from parents to children – said it best:

Science and everyday life cannot and should not be separated.”

Which aspect of STEAM is your favorite?

Which of these outdoor STEAM activities
will you try with your kids?
INFORMATION, MCFAMILY
Reflections on Quarantine
- May 29, 2020
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 reading about how other moms are doing and handling the situation. A few members of the Run Wild My Child Creative Team took some time to write down their reflections on quarantine and documented the good and the bad about their COVID-19 experiences thus far and how the pandemic has affected their homes, heads, and hearts.

Leslie

@c_l_allofus

When the Covid-19 threat first became real here in Ohio, things shut down with astounding speed. Our heads were spinning with the new information coming out daily, the threat of how this would impact our families and communities, and the frustrations of major restrictions. From the outside, though, it didn’t seem to change our lives that much. I’m a homeschooling mom to four kids. My husband works in an essential job. Our daily schedule remained much the same, and we realize how blessed we have been. Even so, the increasing closures and restrictions made an impact. Art and music lessons were canceled. The libraries closed. Our church moved all services online. We couldn’t get together with friends and family. Even grocery shopping became a challenge. And, thanks to the weather, outdoor adventures (my favorite way to have fun with my kids) were more of an ordeal than a fun outing. After a long and cold winter, our Ohio spring remained cold, wet, and windy. In fact, if you had told me at the beginning of the quarantine that it was going to snow clear through Mother’s Day weekend, I might have crawled under my bed covers and not come out until Memorial Day!

But despite the challenges, I have so many things to be thankful for during this quarantine. We’ve spent even more time than usual together as a family—and as you all know, that comes with both challenges and blessings. But without anyone else to turn to, my children have become better friends with each other. All our needs have been met, and I know that isn’t the case for everyone during this time. And even though the weather hasn’t been ideal, we have repeatedly turned to the great outdoors for adventure, excitement, and fun. Right before the pandemic hit, we moved into a rural farming area and we’ve been thankful for that every single day. We haven’t had to fight through park closures or social distancing for outdoor time, because we can step outside our door and wander through woods and fields and up and down our quiet country road. And we have…every single day. When the monotony of life within the walls of our house feels overwhelming, we’ve gone outside to explore. When winter has felt never-ending, we have searched the fields and woods for those sure signs of spring. And when our indoor entertainment has run out, we’ve gone outdoors and found endless new things to play and enjoy.

Nichole

@coleyraeh

The bad. It’s been a long two months. My daughter turned six almost RIGHT before the Covid-19 pandemic hit American soil. We were lucky to have her birthday party with friends the first week of March. That next week we made the decision as a family to self-isolate. My husband worked from home for one month, but then had to return to work. Nearing the end of two months at home, and we are feeling it. Workouts are interrupted with requests for snacks, writing sessions are at best, sporadic. Though we are a homeschooling family, we rarely stay home. In fact, I think the hallmarks of our homeschool are our field trips and shenanigans. Typically we are done with school at the end of April and we spend May visiting my Mom and Step-Dad in Phoenix, using their home as a base for farther explorations. Staying home hurts. Our family is so far from us and we miss them dearly.

Without the road trips, day trips, and shenanigans to seek out I’ve found myself slipping into the grips of Mom guilt daily. I’ve been shorter with my fuse and sharper with my words, stemming from all this togetherness without an outlet. My typical routes of self-care are no longer accessible and alone time is a precious commodity that looks like sitting in my car in a parking lot with a latte from home. (which is actually just left over coffee mixed with chocolate oat milk). Anxieties have reared up from where they were buried and at night when I’m trying to sleep, perceived failures and shortcomings intermix to keep my brain firing. I feel like I’m drowning. But then, when I’ve taken a moment to pause, I realize that my kids are standing in that water I think I’m drowning in. They are fine. They are thriving. And what they most need right now is our family. And we are right here.

The good. I have never been so grateful and appreciative of our home. I’ve never been more aware of how absolutely privileged we are as a family. My husband had the ability to work from home for a while. He has a job to continue working steadily, and regularly brings our groceries home after work. Our fridge hasn’t been bare and our bellies have been full. Our back porch has become a sacred space. Our children rediscovered how much fun our backyard can be. We do not live in a major metropolitan area that has been hard hit. As a family, we our weekends were typical non-stop adventuring, staying home all weekend had been a rarity for us. So, this time of turning inwards has been a blessing for us. No nightly tennis practice, no gymnastics, no running for the next activity. My husband and I, and our kids, chose to invest that energy into our garden. It’s a space that brings me so much joy and is a source of peace in the daily grind. This year, prior to the pandemic, we added four more raised beds. I threw myself into planting them. Then we added huge barrel planters for giant dahlia blooms. Then (thanks to Instagram) I got an idea for an arch. My husband made that happen, but he went above and beyond anything I could have imagined.

This summer, we won’t be traveling like we used to, but we will have the most amazing arch tunnel, that you can walk under. It will be filled with morning glories, luffa plants, cucumbers, mini pumpkins and mini squash, sour gherkin cucumbers, nasturtiums, and whatever else I planted on it that I forgot about. Last weekend, we added a potting bench (built by my husband). We have delighted in picking fresh produce for our meals almost every day for the past two months. (We live in zone 8, so gardening starts in February). My kids enjoy our mornings outside and I enjoy my nightly garden stroll with my husband to show him what grew that day. Just yesterday, I was showing him the sunflowers that are starting to bloom. It’s been an excellent exercise in patience and presence. (#coleyraegardens). Our schooling may have been sporadic during this time, but we have read some wonderful stories, had more family dinners than ever before, played more board games, laughed together at Dude Perfect videos on YouTube, and enjoyed the gift of this slowed down time.

Sara

@sara_mccarty

The bad – I first became aware of just how scary and devastating this pandemic could be while at work, listening to doctors, actuaries, and experts come up with a plan for social distancing. Things escalated faster than I ever could have imagined and only days later, we were officially home and self-quarantining (my daughter has a heart condition, so we took it seriously). We were working from home (two lawyers), schooling from home (2 school-aged kids + 2 year-old), and living socially distant from our friends and family. It was incredibly heartbreaking to drive down the street and see stores and restaurants closed. Friends started to get laid off; many had to close their businesses. The stock market continued to drop. The panic buying set in, the statistics got worse, the fear surmounted. Everything felt so overwhelming and scary. The kids missed their friends. We were overwhelmed with screen time and schoolwork. Nothing was getting done, the laundry piled up, the house was a wreck, there were so many meals and chores and snacks and Zoom calls. I was taking care of kids all day then working until 2:0o am every night and I still couldn’t keep up. Overwhelm set in and I lost it.

I’ve been surprised by the sheer volume of how much and deeply I felt. Somedays, within minutes I could go from being so incredibly sad, scared, stressed, and helpless to bursting with love, joy, pride and gratitude for my little family. I’d throw myself a pity party about how hard this all is and then I’d consider how much harder it is for so many people and how lucky we are. Then I’d feel guilty about feeling bad in the first place. It’s been so confusing. Are we overreacting? If we let up, could I ever forgive myself if something happened? What really would happen? How long will this last? There’s so much to think about. My temper’s been short, my stress level through the roof. After full days with my kids all over me, the introvert in me wanted to scream and hide in a closet. Never (not even while pregnant) have I felt so emotional and exhausted. I withdrew from everything and it took me weeks to (very slowly and deliberately) get back into a headspace where I felt like I could function again. That’s so not like me and very unnerving. It’s left me very worried about what’s to come and if this will happen again.

The good – Never in my life have I been more aware of how incredibly privileged, lucky, and blessed we are. The pandemic has made me fully aware of how much we’ve taken for granted and how grateful we need to be every day. We have a home that’s comfortable, a fridge that’s full, bodies that are healthy, and opportunities just a click away. Friends and neighbors have gone above and beyond with birthday parades, organizing virtual events and dropping off goodies like freshly baked pretzels, homemade jam and booze. After a few stressful weeks, I kicked my guilt to the curb and decided that homeschooling on a screen was just not going to work for our family. We found other ways to learn inside and out and it made it huge difference in our attitudes letting that go. Work’s been busy, but flexible enough that we can get out and do things together as a family. Ryan and I make a great team and work together so we can each get things done. We’re lucky to have friends with private land nearby so we can explore outdoors all day and never encounter another person. We’ve been camping, floating, fishing, hiking, and spending countless hours in our own backyard.

We eventually hired help (a college girl home for the summer) to take the kids on socially distant outdoor adventures during the day so my husband and I could work (necessary to keep our full-time jobs – we know how lucky we are for our paychecks). My kids have spent nearly every day of the last two months in a creek, on a trail or by a lake and it’s been incredible for them. While they still fight constantly, I think they’re also closer than ever before and they’re thriving on all the time they get to spend outside and with us. Being outside has made a world of difference to us all and really solidified my passion for helping other families get outdoors together. I love being home and (while I don’t want to be here forever) I’ve truly enjoyed having dinner together as a family every night, doing house projects with my husband, adventuring with the kids and all the time together we’ve been blessed with.

Jemma

@thimbleandtwig

Lockdown for us has been a mixed bag. I feel blessed to have extra time with the kids and to spend loads of time together as a family. We’ve done some fabulous crafts, had a garden campout, toasted marshmallows, and played board games. There have been some days that have been truly lovely. I’ve adored watching the kids develop a lovely bond and play more together – I’m so thankful we have 4 kids – they have entertained each other!

However, the juggle has been oh so real and a struggle! Trying to work (teaching live lessons as a secondary school teacher or leading training whilst my husband takes a work call) has been super stressful. There have been days where I feel sad that the kids bickering and me as an impatient mum have dominated the day. It’s also been hard that the kids have missed out on seeing their friends and grandparents. My daughter was in the last year of primary so she won’t get to say goodbye to her friends, won’t have the leavers parties, and end of school play. Both my son starts school and my daughter starts secondary and they won’t have a transition period. Other things have been tricky – friends have had their babies and I won’t be able to meet them until this time is over. Parties and anniversaries have been missed…my 100k overnight walk with friends was canceled.

But we’re thankful. We’re all healthy happy and safe – we’re intrigued how we’ll navigate the next period – longing for life to return to normal. I am worried about how the next part of the journey goes. Will our children grow up fearful of others? Will we always be crossing the road when someone walks too close? Will we turn into a germ-centric generation? Lockdown leaves all these feelings and although I know we’re so, so lucky – it’s still hard to think about how we’ll all be touched by this crazy period of time.

Ginny

@1000hoursoutside

Sometimes I wonder “What if?” What if we would’ve known ahead of time? How would we have prepared? But the fact that we couldn’t prepare in advance forced our family to be creative and to learn new things.

Just under a year ago we moved to a small hobby farm. Knowing nothing about farming, we figured we would ease into it. Coronavirus moved up our timeframe considerably. Having a little bit of land allows us to contribute to our local food system and since we were stuck home anyway we decided to go all in. We went from knowing nada to owning goats, chickens, turkeys, pigs, guineas, and barn carts in the matter of a few months. The cows come this weekend. One of our goats gave birth to twins in March and so we’ve added milking to our daily routine. Teats and udders are now a part of our daily vernacular. And of course, we set up a makeshift garden and are attempting to grow all sorts of things we’ve never grown before. All that to say, our family has learned an unbelievable amount in the last 10 weeks and I consider that a plus! Combine endless time at home with empty grocery store shelves and I transformed into “Farmer Ginny” :).

One thing I’ve struggled with (and there have been many) was finding a new footing. I think we all settle into a routine that has a balance of inhales and exhales. These last 10 weeks have been extremely demanding as lots of plates have been added but without the regular things we do to relieve stress, like hiking with friends. Socially, emotionally, and physically the demands on mama skyrocketed and I didn’t rise to the occasion as much as I would’ve hoped. Overwhelmed and consumed with the news media, I took four weeks off of our seat work for school. I struggled with depression despite knowing that mostly we were okay. We are finally starting to come around but it’s taken a long time.

Tiffany

@dear.wildlings

The good. What a time to be alive am I right? The circumstances leading up to the stay-home orders have tremendously affected everyone’s lives including ours, homebody Homeschoolers. While there have been challenging moments I can honestly say that this time at home has been and will remain one of my fondest memories of my children’s childhood for the following reasons. Time. Oh, bittersweet time. Our days were often filled with at least one errand or obligation we had to be at and with the stay-home order, they cease to exist leaving me with my children, distraction-free. Our conversations were enriched and I felt a sense of slow normalcy I have never felt before. I didn’t pay attention to what time it was and something about the constant slow days made me appreciate my time interacting with my children without the hustle and bustle of life even more. We all ate at the table every night together. I can’t say how much this has changed our lives.

As a photographer, there are many nights that I am not home in time for dinner as I am chasing the sunlight and I miss that time. Lots of nights were wrapped up with mom grabbing something on the way home and dinners were rushed so we could keep our normal bedtime routine. Being home allowed me to cook (more than I ever have before) and enjoy dinner time with my children every single night, never missing a beat or moment or conversation I otherwise would have missed. It gave me more time with my children, my husband, and even myself.

The bad. Negatively I would say that the hardest struggle any of us went through were the days we needed a change of scenery. We highly missed our outings to lunch, spur of the moment out of town day trips, book store, and coffee shop mornings…and just having the option of getting out of the house especially with how much it rained his spring season. You can only expect kids to be stimulated at home so much when suck inside. I think those are the days I struggled and the kids struggled too. I think I personally struggled too with my lack of working, being a photographer – I missed creating. This mentally made me feel worthless some days as a high functioning creative – it made me feel a bit in a rut. However, I did my very best to challenge myself in other ways creatively and come up with new ideas on how to create income. However, I would do it all again if we had to and have learned through this experience that its okay to have slow days and ignore the “real world”. I don’t want that to ever change or “go back.” The good completely outweighed the bad.

We’d love to hear how your family is doing through all this.
Drop us a comment and let us know.
CRAFTS, HOLIDAYS, OUTDOOR ACTIVITIES, RECIPES, SPRING
How To Make Natural Dye For Easter Eggs
- April 8, 2020
Spring brings with it blooming flowers, rain showers, and Easter eggs! If you’re like us, you’re probably stuck at home right now looking for things to do with the kids (here’s a huge list if you need more ideas for outdoor spring activities for kids). Dying eggs with natural ingredients one of those activities (#88)! It’s also a super fun social distancing activity for the whole family. Today, Texas photographer and mom of two (with another on the way), Tiffany going to walk you through how to make natural dye for Easter eggs, using household, backyard and pantry items that you already have at home like spices, fruits, veggies, and foraged plants! Get ready for the fun!

Up your Easter fun without leaving the house

While lots of egg dying tutorials will use super colorful dyes made from fancy ingredients, we’re going to make this simple and easy for you. We want to show you how to use household items from your fridge, pantry, and backyard to make dyes. No need to put yourself at risk by going to the grocery store. And no need to purchase expensive store-bought Easter egg dyes. There are lots of items you can use to make all sorts of colored dyes right around your home. Your kids will be so surprised and impressed that dyes can be made from so many ordinary things! And this will surely elevate your Easter egg hunt to the next level.

Gather your household materials

Start by having the kids collect items that can be used to make dyes. For this tutorial, we used blueberries, beets, the tops of carrots, wildflowers, and turmeric. So many things you have on hand WILL work! Have some fun by searching your yard, pantry, and your fridge! Have some fruits or veggies going bad?! Perfect!

Some other ideas for items to use to make natural dye are: purple or red onions, dandelions, raspberries, spinach, paprika, kale, green onions, chili pepper, red cabbage, red peppers, or yellow onion skins! The options are endless, and super fun to experiment with!

Supplies for naturally dyed eggs
- hardboiled eggs cooled to room temperature (note: brown and assorted color eggs will dye differently)
- fruit, veggies, spices, foraged plants and flowers from the backyard
- water
- white vinegar
- glass Mason jars
- sheer pantyhose
- rubber bands
- scissors
- wildflowers/foliage for decorating eggs
- strainer (cheesecloth or a paper towel also work!)
How to make natural dye for Easter eggs

Put 6 cups of water in a large saucepan and bring to a boil. Add 2-4 cups of whatever natural substance/ingredient you are trying to pull color from to the boiling water. Make sure your ingredients are chopped up, which helps with the color extraction process. Add 3 tablespoons of white vinegar. Let the mixture boil for about 10 minutes, then turn the heat down and simmer for 20 more minutes. Remove from heat and strain the liquid into a mason jar(s). Repeat the process for each additional dyes and colors.

Naturally dying eggs

Place hardboiled eggs into each dye and let them sit. We HIGHLY recommend you soak the eggs at least 24 hours! The longer you leave them in, the more pigmented your eggs will be! After eggs are desired color, remove from dye and place on a towel or paper towel until dry. Please note these dyes WILL stain fabrics, so be extra careful.

Adding flowers and prints

We love to make our naturally dyed eggs a little extra fancy with flower and leave prints and added dried wildflowers. To do this, start by cutting pantyhose into 5-6 inch strips. Lay the small plants/flowers of your choosing across the egg. Carefully place pantyhose around the egg pulling them as tight as possible from the opposite side and secure with a rubber band. Repeat as desired. Place the eggs in the jars with the dye for at least 24 hours (as recommended above). Remove the eggs and let dry. Use scissors to cut pantyhose off off eggs at the base of rubber band and carefully remove the pantyhose. This is the fun part! You can leave the flowers/greenery pressed on or remove them for a print!

Natural dye for Easter eggs

And that’s it! Making natural dye for Easter eggs is easy as can be. We hope you’ll give this fun technique naturally dying eggs using household items and foraged materials a try. Make sure to tag us in your images if you post them online and we’ll be sure to share! We can’t wait to see how your eggs turn out and all your creative dyes. Stay safe out there.

Have you ever made natural dye for Easter eggs?

About the author

Tiffany is a homeschooling Mama of three earthside children (one baby boy on the way) and one baby girl that travels among the stars. She is a vintage obsessed, wicker collecting, tree-loving photographer, creator, painter, writer and loves to document her children’s childhood and is passionate about sharing her take on motherhood, raising children outside of the “norm” and in nature. You can find Tiffany on Instagram at @dear.wildlings.
CRAFTS, FALL, NATURE SCHOOL, OUTDOOR ACTIVITIES
Nature Craft: DIY Moth Wings Tutorial
- September 23, 2019
Are you ready for the most gorgeous fall nature craft project? I’m so excited to share today’s post from our uber-talented Creative Team member Tiffany Griffin. Tiffany is here with an incredible DIY moth wings tutorial for kids. This project is simpler than you might expect and guaranteed to make any little kid’s imagination go wild! These gorgeous wings are the perfect addition to any outdoor adventure. They can be made from materials you probably already have in your craft closet and yard. While the subtle moth wings are a perfect project for fall, this DIY nature wing tutorial can also be changed and adapted for any season based on what’s available in your location.

* This project was inspired by the beautiful flower butterfly wings created by the amazing Johanna Bless of @blessnestlearning. Her full tutorial can be found at woodlarkblog.com.

Give your child wings

There’s something absolutely magical about creating something together with your child that helps foster and inspire their love for nature. If you’re anything like me, you probably love craft projects that get your kids outside and also give them the freedom to be masters of their own creation. It’s hard letting go of control of craft projects, especially when we have a pre-set idea of how the project should turn out.

However, oftentimes I’ve found that the more freedom and flexibility I give my children to create on their own, the more I’m dazzled by their imagination and impressed with their skills of observation. This project started off as an attempt to make butterfly wings, but took a turn in a different direction, inspired by a moth we found and studied one day. As you work through this project with your kids, I encourage you to give them the reigns and let them design wings of their own choosing.

Materials

For this tutorial, anything not found in nature can probably be found lying around your backyard and craft closet. If not – a local craft store should carry everything you need! Some materials are optional for an added touch of make-believe magic. Here are the items you will need for your DIY moth wings:
- gathered leaves/foilage
- dried flowers
- 2 large feathers
- scissors
- ribbon/cord/string/elastic for wings
- 1 roll of clear contact paper
- piece of foam/driftwood/bark/cardboard (something to secure the wings to – can use anything but try to make it lightweight)
- hot glue gun
- faux fur/felt/moss
- headband
- pen/permanent marker
- packing tape
DIY moth wings instructions

As I mentioned, these wings are easier to make than I expected. And they turned out to be so incredibly beautiful! My daughter absolutely loves them and is so proud to tell everyone she sees that she helped make them. Here’s a step-by-step tutorial on just how we created these beautiful DIY moth wings for kids.

1. Get outside and gather

The first thing to do is get outside and gather your materials! We chose to use leaves in various colors (red, yellow, green and brown. Feel free to incorporate whatever you can find in your area, based on the time of year. Fall leaves work great for creating a moth-like wing, but feel free to incorporate bright colored wildflowers for a summer butterfly. We found that the best leaves were ones that were freshly dropped. They stuck to the contact paper best. Dried out crunchy leaves left no room for error if you have to readjust them on your contact paper! Gather quite a few leaves of various shapes, sizes and colors. Remember you need enough to cover two wings!

2. Contact paper setup & drawing

Unroll your contact paper (clear side up). Measure your child to determine how long to make the wings. I recommend sizing from your child’s neck to their knees. Once your desired length is achieved for your child, secure the paper with tape to the table. This will keep the contact paper from moving. Use a pen (or permanent marker) to draw out the shape of one wing starting from the left or right side of your contact paper. I recommend using a ballpoint pen so if you need to re-do your wing – you do not have to start over! The pen rubs right off! Once you’re satisfied with the shape of the wing, cut the shape out using the scissors.

3. Trace & repeat

Lay your cut wing on your contact paper facing the opposite direction (mirror) and trace your second wing. Cut out the wing shape with scissors.

4. Peel & secure

Remove the taped corners of the contact paper of both wings from the table and flip them over so that the wax side is up. Carefully, pull back the backing (waxy side) of the contact paper from both wings. Don’t throw away the backing yet! You’ll use that in a minute (see Step 6 below). Secure the corners of the wings to the table with tape. Now, your contact paper should be sticky side up and ready for adding leaves and flowers!

5. Add embellishments

Now is the fun part! Place your leaves and flowers on the contact paper inside the wing outline. Make sure to press them down as flat as possible! Have your kids choose patterns that mimic those they find on real butterflies and moths, or let them make-up their own. You can encourage kids to create mirror image wings or two totally separately decorated (and complimentary!) wings. Whatever you choose to do, allow their creativity to shine.

6. Trace the backing

Use the backing of the previously cut-out wings to trace another set of wings on the Contact paper. These wings will serve as the top layer to the wings with the embellishments on them. Cut them out and remove backing. Very carefully, place the wing directly on top of your newly decorated wing sealing in your leaves/flowers. Do this with both sides!

7. Prep your foam

If you’re using a foam piece for the center of the wings, consider covering it with some faux fur or moss or something natural-looking. We used a hot glue gun to secure a piece of faux fur to our foam to give it a natural look, like a moth. If you don’t have foam, you could also use a piece of driftwood or bark, a bundle of sticks or a piece of cardboard or wood.

8. Prep the wings

Using your hot glue gun, run a long line of hot glue down the center seam of each wing and secure to the centerpiece (of foam, wood or what-have-you). Glue each of the wings to the foam and hold securely in place until they cool. Allow them to dry. Next, cut out four 20 inch pieces of string/ribbon/elastic. Flip the (foam) base over and use your glue gun to secure 3-4 inches of string on to the back of the foam on each corner allowing the extra lenth to lay vertical while it dries. This will create two loops for your child’s arms.

9. Make the antennae

If you want to go above and beyond, you can create some really cool head antennae to go along with your wings. All you need to do is use the hot glue gun to glue two large feathers onto a headband to create awesome moth antennas! This gives your get-up a little something extra!

10. Take your wings for a test flight!

The last thing to do is tie your DIY moth wings on and watch your little one FLY! Seeing your child love and enjoy their hard work is by far the best part of any craft. Hopefully, this fun project will inspire lots of wonderful conversation and curiosity about our winged friends. Encourage your child to take flight, like the moth. Have them mimic butterfly behaviors and find their favorite foods. Allow their creativity to shine and nurture their love for nature along the way.

About the author

Tiffany is a homeschooling mama of three earthside children and one baby girl that travels among the stars. She is a vintage obsessed, wicker collecting, tree-loving photographer, creator, painter, writer and loves to document her children’s childhood and is passionate about sharing her take on motherhood, raising children outside of the “norm” and in nature.

You can find more from Tiffany online in the following locations:
@wild.things.grow