With the springtime weather here, take advantage of every opportunity to play outside.
Here are 5 backyard activities to get your springtime playtime started:
1. Make a cardboard castle. Gather up some card board boxes and non-toxic paint and let the kids paint their own castle. Cut our doors and windows, as requested, and encourage their imaginations run wild. If you don’t have any boxes on hand, visit your local appliance or big box store. Chances are they will be happy to give them away.
2. Set up a bird feeding center.
For the first bird feeder cover a pinecone in peanut butter and roll it in bird seed. Hang it from a tree with a piece of string or yarn. For a second bird feeder, spread a mixture of peanut butter and lard on a bagel. Roll the bagel in bird seed and hang from a tree. Use different kids of seeds to see if they attract different kids of birds. Offer the birds water by pouring 1.5 inches of water into a clay saucer at least 24 inches in diameter. Place the saucer on a low tree stump or on the ground. Observe what kind of birds come to eat and how often.
3. Camp out.
Spend the night outdoors star gazing and listening to the sounds of nature. Pitch a tent in your backyard for a night of adventure and fun. If you have a small fire pit, consider roasting marshmallows and making S’mores.
4. Have a treasure hunt.
Hide a special treasure, a wrapped candy coin or a small toy, perhaps, in your backyard. Give your child a treasure map to help him find the treasure. Use backyard landmarks in your picture to help him find his way.
5. Play with water.
If the weather is warm enough, a hose and a nozzle with provide for hours of fun. From watering plants, to spraying each other, to adding water to sandy areas to make mud, messy and wet are a great outdoor combination for kids.
How do you enjoy the spring weather? What do your kids enjoy doing most outside? Share your thoughts in the comments below.
