Outdoor

Finch Love

This Christmas, my husband surprised me with the best present. EVER. Two words: Erythrura gouldiae

Dirt Kitchen Sink

You know that saying, “One person’s trash is another person’s treasure…”?!  Never has it been more true.

Bug Hunt

My kids are energetic.  Very energetic.  I think most happy, healthy kids are – but it’s good to slow them down sometimes and help them to notice life’s little things.  One way we like to do this outside is to go on a bug hunt.  There are interesting insects and other small creatures all around, but often we don’t notice them because we are too busy.  Open your child’s eyes to the wonder...

Water Play

Did you grow up with sprinklers in the back yard?  I have fond memories of spending hot summer days running and jumping through the spray with my sister.  I remember those long green tube-like sprinklers, and the groovy ones that could spin around. I even remember being allowed to run through the sprinklers on the school oval when temperatures reached over 35 deg C.  And then of course there was slip’n'slide…

Sport vs Play

This week I was invited by Cricket Queensland to meet legendary cricketer Allan Border and hear about the in2CRICKET program for kids. The program aims to involve primary school aged kids in a shorter version of the game (which doesn’t take up a whole Saturday…)

Nature Numbers

“Mummy! Mum! Look what I found. It’s a number six leaf! Cooooool!” Such excitement over a simple leaf. She then dropped it, of course, and so we set off on a search for another 6-shaped-leaf.  I suggested we look for other numeral shapes as well.

Outdoor Chalk Boards

An outdoor chalkboard is another project I have had on my to-do list for a while. I love the idea of children having lots of writing and drawing opportunities outdoors.  I often find that writing naturally flows outside without the pressure of a classroom environment or the constraints of A4 paper.  Chalk is inviting too, because of its non-permanent nature and its accessibility for little hands. (In fact, Mr 2 drew...

Climbing Up and Falling Down

I believe that kids and nature belong together, so I encourage my children to play daily outside, exploring their backyard and the natural elements in it.  I believe that tree climbing is one of childhood’s greatest joys.  I believe that happy kids require both freedom and boundaries.  I believe children’s environments should be as safe as necessary, rather than as safe as possible.  And I believe that...

Fence Storage

Every now and then I have great idea, followed closely by “Why didn’t I think of this sooner?” The simple ideas are always the best. I simply screwed a couple of old brass hooks (which were lying unused in the bottom of a toolbox) onto the fence at child height.  We were already using the two green baskets for outdoor toy storage.  I love them because: