spring activities--04-02

A Spring Scavenger Hunt (Twos)

Isn't it time for a break and a bit of fresh air? Invite your children to go with you on a spring scavenger hunt to have fun and learn about spring as well!

What to do:
1. Invite children to go outside with you and to see if they can find the things you name.
Can they find a flower? Can they find grass? Can they find another flower that looks like the first one?
2. Can they hear a bird? Do they see a bird? Can they repeat the sounds the bird makes?
3. Look on the ground. Can children see an ant or a worm?
4. Encourage children to smell a flower, feel the damp grass, and splash in a puddle if it has rained lately!
5. Show them the tiny buds on a branch and a caterpillar or insect.
Enjoy your time together observing nature.

Let's Talk: Ideas to Explore Together with your children.
* Our nature walk was fun. We saw a bird, a flower and a bug.
* What did you like best?
* Would you like to go again soon?

Useful information:
While you are having fun together, your children are developing observational skills, listening skills, and large muscle skills.

• Let's Donate to a Bird's Nest (3-7's)
  [You and your children can help birds find material to build their nests.
  You'll need: wire coat hanger • nylon stocking • some or all of the following items: short strips of fabric, hair (pet or human), short sticks, dried grass, cotton batting, moss, flower petals, leaves, feathers, short pieces of yarn and string
  What to do:
  1. Open a wire coat hanger into a diamond shape.
  2. Stretch an old nylon stocking over the hanger and fasten the end with a plastic bag tie.
  3. Help children loosely weave some of the items suggested above through the nylon. Birds will pick out the materials for their nest.
  Make sure the string, yarn and fabric strips are less than 6 inches in length so that the birds do not get tangled in them. You can also use hair from your hairbrush and the fur from grooming your dog.
  


• How to use:
  Together, place the nylon-covered hanger so it is easily accessible, but will not blow away.
  You can hang it on a fence, near a birdhouse, or on a tree branch where the birds will find it.
  You can also use a mesh bag instead of a hanger.
  


• Let's Talk: Ideas to Explore Together with your children.
  * Do you know a place where there are many birds outdoors? They would appreciate this nest building hanger.
  * What materials do you think they will use to make their nest?
  * Tell me why you like birds.
  


• Useful information:
  While you are having fun together, your children are developing small muscle skills and problem solving skills.