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April 20, 2020

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“Our family embarked on a hiking challenge when my son's school shifted to crisis schooling. The daily hikes have sparked inspiration, wonder, and joy at the ordinary, yet amazing tiny discoveries...

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March 18th, 2020 - Dedicated to Farm Sprouts

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3/30/2020

Hi Miss Brooke,

Anne wanted to share this photo with you. After watching your farm sprout videos last week, she was playing in the backyard and pretended to tap our silver maple tree. The sand bucket at the bottom is holding the sap and she's holding a stick that she's pretending to put in a hole in the tree.

She and we surely miss you and Farm Sprouts. We hope that you and your family are doing well.

Best,

Laura

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Video #2: Missing Maple Sugar Sap Mystery featuring Max the Horse 

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Video #2: Missing Maple Sugar Sap Mystery featuring Max the Horse 

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March 23rd, 2020 - Dedicated to Farm Sprouts

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March 23rd, 2020

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What do goats eat? How do they use their mouths and bodies to find and eat food?

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Emilija and Grantas enjoying story time!! Thank you Miss Brooke! We miss you

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Emilija and Grantas enjoying story time!! Thank you Miss Brooke! We miss you

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Hiking Locations for Families with Children

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Hiking Locations for Families with Children

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To be updated daily...

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You are invited to share general feedback, thoughts, questions, etc. in this document or in the comments below.

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Kids don't say, "Beloved parent, I'm having difficulty in my daily life. I don't fully understand what's happening, I miss my friends, I'm afraid someone I know is going to die and it feels like life will never be normal again." Instead, they throw tantrums, become clingy, sulk, backtalk, refuse to do anything you ask, wet the bed, pick fights with siblings and suddenly forget how to do basic tasks they mastered years ago.

Whew! Let's step back, take a few deep breaths and learn a little about your child's brain: Safety is the brain's most basic need, followed closely by connection. When we feel unsafe or disconnected, our brains downshift from the higher centers responsible for learning and problem solving, to the lower reactionary centers. That's why all those challenging behaviors are popping up, and why a minor frustration is now Titanic in size.

We can help children (and ourselves) by creating a sense of safety, connecting, and cultivating a new sense of normal with these five tips:

1. Young children co-regulate with trusted adults and older children feed off our internal states. Our calm nurtures their calm. Our distress increases their distress. Check in with yourself. How are you faring? Practice active calming by taking three deep breaths when you feel yourself becoming frustrated, fearful, angry or desperate. Seek out activities and call people who calm you. Limit your news intake, social media and other sources of stress. Be a Safe Place for your child.

Acknowledge your feelings and your children's. Know that children's fits and meltdowns aren't just about the momentary point of frustration that triggered them; they're about the underlying state of uncertainty they're experiencing. Offer them calm, comfort and reassurance with deep breathing and phrases like, "You're safe. You can handle this. We'll get through this together." Encourage them to name and manage their feelings. And forgive yourself when you're the one who's had the fit or meltdown.
Helpful Free Resources:
2. Focus on safety and connection. The brain functions optimally when it feels both safe and connected. Children need to know that life is going to be different and that you will find a new normal together. Make safety and connection your top priority, especially in the first days; you can always add academics, chores and such later.

If you don't already practice active calming, start! Conscious Discipline uses S.T.A.R., Balloon, Drain and Pretzel breathing, and there are dozens of other websites with helpful breathing games and yoga for kids.

Build extra togetherness into your day. For young children, this might look like extra reading or playing blocks together. For older children, it might be doing a puzzle or playing a favorite video game together. Notice whatever your child is doing and join in their play. Go outside and play. Get down on the floor and play. Wrestle. Giggle. Snuggle. Hug, high five and enjoy. Connection isn't just good for your mood, it builds neural connections in your child's brain and increases cooperation (and who couldn't use a little of that right now?).

Age-appropriate information increases safety; "You're fine" does not. Information will help reassure and soothe children's fears, but it's important to know when enough is enough. Explain to children why life is different using the simplest terms possible. Answer their questions honestly, without offering too much detail or overwhelming them with information. Watch the news in private rather than having it running in the background all day. Limit social media for your children and yourself. Focus on statements like, "You're safe. You can handle this. We will get through this together," instead of dismissing with comments like, "Everything's okay," or "It's not something you need to worry about."
Helpful Free Resources:
3. Create your new normal. The brain thrives on predictable patterns. Our daily and weekly patterns have been turned upside down without warning. Creating a new normal begins with a new daily routine. Families with older children can work together to co-create your new daily schedule (co-creating gives children a way to exert some control over the situation), while parents of younger children will create the schedule for them. Plan it, draw it, label it, post it somewhere obvious and refer to it often so children know what to expect.

A successful daily schedule might be: Wake up, get dressed, eat breakfast, project time, outside time, lunch, free play, rest time, family time, dinner, wash/brush, PJs, read, bed. The activities during "project time" could vary between creative play (art, dress up, building blocks), academics, gardening, household projects, or exploring online resources like museum tours, dance classes or storytelling sites. Be certain your schedule has ample opportunities for play. Creating a rhythm to your days and knowing what to expect next cultivates a sense of safety.
Helpful Free Resources:
4. Give children ways to contribute. Contribution lights up the reward centers of the brain and releases feel-good chemicals like dopamine and serotonin. Verbally highlight the way your family is helping your community and hospitals by staying home. Draw pictures and make cards to mail, leave on friends' and neighbors' doorsteps, or drop off at a nursing home.

Provide lots of little ways for children to be helpful at home and offer authentic praise for their helpfulness. The contribution needs to be voluntary, not coerced, in order to release those feel-good brain chemicals. Ask, "Do you want to make my coffee this morning?" If the answer is, "No," let it go. If the answer is, "Yes," show them how to make coffee and then rave about how helpful it was for them to brew it.
Helpful Free Resources:
5. Shift toward seeing the best. Notice your inner and outer speech. Are you "stuck at home" with your kids, or do you have an opportunity to connect with family and keep the community safe while you work from home? Are you "stuck at work," or are you helping to keep the community running by staffing hospitals, grocery stores and other important functions in spite of the risks? Are selfish people hoarding things, or are frightened people trying to make sure their families have enough? Are government officials doing too much/not enough/stupid things, or are they doing the best they can with constantly changing information about an unexpected, unprecedented threat? Should those idiots know better than to go out, or are there millions of individuals who are helping each other by staying home to slow the spread of the virus?

It's easy to get caught up in what's going wrong. Instead, make an effort to consciously shift toward helpfulness. Use your words as a spotlight to illuminate the behaviors you want to see more of and aspects you find helpful amidst the fear. The more positive aspects you discuss around your children, the more they are able to see the best in the situation. The more you notice and verbalize children's helpful actions, the more helpful they will become. Shifting your perspective from what you don't want to what you do want paves the way for a healthier internal state for you and your children.
Helpful Free Resources:
For 20+ years, "We're all in this together" has been one of the basic tenets of Conscious Discipline. It seems ironic that a virus that requires social distancing to slow its spread has drawn our attention to how intimately connected we truly are as friends, neighbors, communities and nations.

Conscious Discipline offers a wealth of social-emotional information online to help you during this challenging time. Some of the items are purchasable, but in keeping with our belief that we're all in this together, many of our webinars, podcasts, videos, printables, articles and other items are absolutely free for you to use.

We hope these resources are helpful. We are holding you in our hearts and wishing you well during this challenging time. This article is also available in Spanish.

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COVID-19: Five Helpful Responses for Families | Conscious Discipline

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Kids don't say, "Beloved parent, I'm having difficulty in my daily life. I don't fully understand what's happening, I miss my friends, I'm afraid someone I know is going to die and it feels like life will never be normal again."

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Ideas originally shared through the program season cancellation email to our families

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Staying Connected to Nature and the Maple Sugaring Season

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CNN article addressing safety practices related to hitting the trails

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(CNN) - Travel bans and closed borders have put wanderlust on hold, and as the United States and other countries grapple with a surge in coronavirus cases, even domestic travel is increasingly unlikely.

These mandates have left many Americans isolated at home, hopefully heeding thesocial distancing guidance outlined by health officials and venturing only to places like the grocery store or pharmacy.

Staying as close to home as possible, millions of Americans are adjusting to the new normal.

But cabin fever is a real, often unpleasant consequence of avoiding the outside world. The worst of cabin fever can be avoided in areas that are not on lockdown by regularly getting outside, moving around and witnessing seasonal changes that are marching on despite the pandemic.

Many authorities and experts, in fact, recommend outdoor activity - with caution.

"You can't just sit in your house. There's a certain point where you go stir crazy," says Dr. Daniel Griffin, an infectious disease specialist at Columbia University Medical Center.

There are, of course, several factors to consider and various limitations (by location or personal vulnerability level) in just how far outside you can venture. And in areas currently worst hit by spiking cases, most outdoor activity just isn't possible as authorities work to beat back the virus.

Read on for some general advice about going outside during the pandemic and be sure to keep tabs on local guidance as it evolves.

If you live near a wide-open space, consider it ground zero for taking in a bit of fresh air.

Psychologist Baruch Fischhoff, who studies decision-making, among other things, says it's fine to go outside, to go anywhere outdoors really, so long as you're committed to following the social distancing protocols as outlined by medical experts.

That means staying at least six feet away from anyone you aren't living with. Crowded parks or beaches teeming with people won't do.

Playgrounds and public facilities like restrooms should be avoided because of their high-touch nature.

In Italy, officials have closed parks, gardens and play areas, and prohibited jogging and other outdoor leisure activities, which will now only be allowed in the vicinity of people's homes. In other areas, uncrowded parks and neighborhoods are still considered a fine option for fresh air.

"Older and more vulnerable people such as those over the age of 60, those with diabetes, heart disease, or lung disease should consider sheltering in place in certain circumstances as these individuals would be at high risk if they were exposed and infected," says Griffin.

The six-foot rule doesn't apply to people you live with or those who you've embraced in your social cohort, a more recent term describing those select few you've chosen to isolate with.

Griffin says the concept of a social cohort related to coronavirus is gaining steam in the medical community.

"With a potential 18-month period ahead of us, this is a less draconian and hopefully feasible form of social distancing and social isolation in groups that are about the size of a large extended family that prevent spread between these isolated groups."

Like social distancing, it may be positioned to be the next phenomenon introduced in the wave of new social behavior norms.

Both Griffin and Fischhoff agree hiking is an acceptable outdoor activity, following the six-foot rule, though it's not free from risks unrelated to coronavirus.

If you head out for an hours-long trek with your spouse or roommate and one of you has an accident requiring a trip to the emergency room, you are essentially adding stress to the already overtaxed health care system.

Thus, along with practicing social distancing and enhanced hygiene efforts, you should be wary of mundane risks.

"Always be careful, but now be a little extra careful," Griffin says.

You should drive to the hiking location in separate cars, he says, if the other person isn't someone you live with to maintain social distancing.

Should you venture out on a hike, avoiding public facilities is paramount. That bench along the trail may look inviting but sitting down on it is risky since you don't know who else has been there recently.

"We haven't addressed the unintuitive aspects of where hands go," Fischhoff says, stressing there's more work to do in this area.

He suggests if you can keep your hands off things or be sure not to touch your face until you've washed your hands, you can more easily sit well in your decision to go outside for a walk or a hike.

Briefly crossing paths with other humans is, however, not much of a problem. This passing contact, explains Griffin, is fortunately not considered high risk.

Do your neighbor a favor though and wait to sneeze or cough once you have the sidewalk or trail to yourself.

Kathy Kupper, a public affairs specialist for the National Park Service, says the fees have been waived "to help provide people with access to nature and the many mental and physical benefits that accompany time spent outdoors."

Along with adhering to social distancing guidelines, Kupper says visitors "should also adhere to Leave No Trace principles and be prepared that some facilities might not be available, including visitor centers, restrooms, water fountains or food service."

As far as camping in national parks or elsewhere goes, if you're using a tent, be respectful of the rules and don't set up close to another campsite, Griffin said.

Many campgrounds have closed in response to coronavirus, leaving dispersed and more remote sites as the only options.

"The public restrooms at campgrounds are a bit concerning with evidence that the virus might be shed in feces, so there may be some risk here," Griffin notes.

You can check the NPS website or state park department sites for the latest information on individual facilities and park operations.

Some areas have closed beach access, particularly in popular destinations that see high density during spring break.

Miami Beach, Fort Lauderdale and Tampa have issued mandates to close some of Florida's most popular beaches. In Australia, Bondi Beach is closing in response to crowds of people ignoring social distancing advice.

But beaches that are open and uncrowded can provide some outdoor relief.

"it's fine to go to the beach. I encourage people to go to the beach," Griffin says, again pointing out the need for finding ways to still enjoy life and doing what we love to do.

Griffin was referring to beaches in the off-season, not the type of crowded beaches in Florida that recently made headlines over spring break, teeming with young people seemingly unfazed by calls for social distancing.

But a Jersey Shore beach or a beach in the Hamptons in March or April? It should be fine if it's not crowded and you're maintaining your distance from other off-season beachgoers.

"You're no more unsafe being at the beach than you would be sitting in your living room together,"Griffin said, but he did add that the safety of going to the beach would need to be reassessed if the outbreak is still serious as the busy summer season starts.

Bottom line (for now): Yes, it's OK to venture outdoors. It's OK to stretch your legs or curl up on a blanket on an uncrowded stretch of beach.Pitch a tent that respects the social distancing requirements.

If you fall into one of the higher-risk groups, though, staying in is a good idea.

"For now, perhaps we will need to leave the outdoors to the young and healthy," Griffin said.

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is going to the beach ok? what about hiking? - cnn

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Is going to the beach OK? What about hiking?

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(CNN) - Travel bans and closed borders have put wanderlust on hold, and as the United States and other countries grapple with a surge in coronavirus cases, even domestic travel is increasingly unlikely. These mandates have left many Americans isolated at home, hopefully heeding thesocial distancing guidance outlined by health officials and venturing only to places like the grocery store or pharmacy.

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Strike a pose!

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Make the health of others your number one priority.

The COVID-19 pandemic is life and death for many people. Please conduct yourself in every respect with that in mind.

You can go outside. Cautiously.

Don't go out if you're sick or have been in contact with those who have. Keep a safe distance from others. That includes in the car, so if your session typically involves a shuttle, plan accordingly. Groups are out. Consider avoiding busy areas and times of day. Wash your hands. Follow CDC guidelines carefully.

Stay close to home.

Like, as close as possible. Far away places or that recreation town an hour down the road are wonderful, but the further you travel, the more potential you have to spread illness. Shop and recreate in your own neighborhood.

Keep it chill.

It's not a good time to get hurt. Healthcare systems are overwhelmed, or soon will be. Please do not add to the burden. Beyond that, you probably want to set foot in a hospital right now about as much as you want to lick the grocery cart handle. And elective surgeries are likely to be on hold for the foreseeable future, so if you blow out your ACL, you might be in for a long wait.

Respect closures and be a good steward.

If parks are closed, don't go. If parks are open, be especially mindful of not overburdening areas that might have limited maintenance and oversight. Pack out your trash, use the restroom before you leave the house.

You can check frequently-updated CDC guidelines here. Given the uneven federal response to the crisis, consider health recommendations and state requirements a bare minimum. Alway follow social distancing guidelines. That includes in the car, so if your session typically involves a shuttle, plan accordingly. Remember that, if you're on a trail, and someone wants to pass you, that person is probably not over the moon to be navigating a pack of people. And always, always wash your hands.

Guides from our Partners and Friends
Access Fund Winter Wildlands Alliance American Alpine Club American Whitewater The Mountaineers Surfrider Foundation Salt Lake Climbers Alliance Hood River Trail Stewards American Hiking Society Leave No Trace The Outbound Teton Backcountry Alliance

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How To Get Outside (During a Pandemic) - Outdoor Alliance

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The COVID-19 pandemic is life and death for many people. Please conduct yourself in every respect with that in mind. Don't go out if you're sick or have been in contact with those who have. Keep a safe distance from others. That includes in the car, so if your session typically involves a shuttle, plan accordingly.

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Michigan DNR Waiving Fees to State Parks

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Michigan DNR Waiving Fees to State Parks

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"Safeguarding mental health is just as important, and spending time outdoors – whether in your backyard, on your balcony or in big, open spaces – can boost mind, body and spirit," the department said.

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(WXYZ) - The Michigan Department of Natural Resources is letting people know state parks will be open and free for everyone during the COVID-19 pandemic.

While the public contact areas like restroom buildings, visitor centers, shooting rangers and more are temporarily closed, the DNR is telling people the public outdoor areas of state parks, state recreation areas, state game & wildlife areas, state forests & trials, and the lakes, rivers and streams will remain open.

"Safeguarding mental health is just as important, and spending time outdoors - whether in your backyard, on your balcony or in big, open spaces - can boost mind, body and spirit," the department said.

They're waiving the need for a recreation passport to get in, meaning they are open to everyone.

"Whether you want to hike or bike a new trail, scout your next hunt, paddle the open water or find a favorite fishing spot...Michigan's outdoors are here," the DNR said in a Facebook post.

They are reminding people to maintain social distancing and only go out if you're feeling healthy, as well as washing your hands for soap and water for 20 seconds.
Additional Coronavirus information and resources: Read our daily Coronavirus Live Blog for the latest updates and news on coronavirus.
Click here for a page with resources including a COVID-19 overview from the CDC, details on cases in Michigan, a timeline of Governor Gretchen Whitmer's orders since the outbreak, coronavirus' impact on Southeast Michigan, and links to more information from the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services, the CDC and the WHO.

View a global coronavirus tracker with data from Johns Hopkins University.

Find out how you can help metro Detroit restaurants struggling during the pandemic.

See all of our Helping Each Other stories.

See complete coverage on our Coronavirus Continuing Coverage page.

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does washing your hands prevent the coronavirus

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DNR waiving need for recreation passport at all state parks during COVID-19 outbreak

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(WXYZ) - The Michigan Department of Natural Resources is letting people know state parks will be open and free for everyone during the COVID-19 pandemic. While the public contact areas like restroom buildings, visitor centers, shooting rangers and more are temporarily closed, the DNR is telling people the public outdoor areas of state parks, state recreation areas, state game & wildlife areas, state forests & trials, and the lakes, rivers and streams will remain open.

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Tuesdays-Thursdays through April 1st

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Metroparks FREE Admission During Coronavirus - Social distancing, exercise, and nature have never been easier (or more affordable). your 13 Metro Detroit Metroparks are offering FREE admission on Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Thursdays from now through April 2, 2020.

The Metroparks have canceled popular programs from their calendar from March 14 through April 5. All the Metroparks nature facilities will be closed during these dates, but all 13 parks will remain open.

Metroparks FREE Admission During Coronavirus

The Metroparks have also announced they will adding content to their website, www.metoraprks.com, which will allow parents and children to download scavenger hunts that can either be completed in the park, or from the comfort of your vehicle during visits.

In addition to Metroparks FREE admission, the Metroparks website will soon be launching a video series from their interpretive staff which will include lessons in art, nature, and history. These videos will include hands-on lessons with weekly new content.
HCMA Metroparks
Delhi Metropark - (3902 E Delhi, Ann Arbor, MI 48103, 734-426-8211, metroparks.com)
Dexter-Huron Metropark - (6535 Huron River Drive, Dexter, MI 48130, 734-426-8211, metroparks.com)
Hudson Mills Metropark - (8801 N Territorial Rd, Dexter, MI 48130, 734-426-8211, metroparks.com)
Huron Meadows Metropark - (8765 Hammel Rd, Brighton, MI 48116, 734-426-8211, metroparks.com)
Indian Springs Metropark - (5200 Indian Trail, White Lake, MI 48386, 248-625-6640, metroparks.com)
Kensington Metropark - (4570 Huron River Parkway, Milford, MI 48380, 810-227-8910, metroparks.com)
Lake Erie Metropark - (32481 W Jefferson, Brownstown, MI 48173, 734-379-5020, metroparks.com)
Lake St Clair Metropark - (31300 Metro Parkway, Harrison Twp, MI 48045, 586-463-4581, metroparks.com)
Lower Huron Metropark - (40151 E Huron River Drive, Belleville, MI 48111, 734-697-9181, metroparks.com)
Oakwoods Metropark - (32911 Willow Rd, New Boston, MI 48164, 734-782-3956, metroparks.com)
Stony Creek Metropark - (4300 Main Park Rd, Shelby Twp, MI 48316, 586-781-4242, metroparks.com)
Willow Metropark - (23200 S Huron Rd, New Boston, MI 48164, 734-697-9181, metroparks.com)
Wolcott Mill Metropark - (65775 Wolcott Rd, Ray, MI 48096, 586-752-5932, metroparks.com)

See our Events / Things To Do tab for more events, activities and things to do in Oakland County and Metro Detroit Michigan.

See our Oakland County Parks Tab for more Oakland County and Metro Detroit, Michigan park reviews and pics.

For more info regarding Metroparks FREE Admission During Coronavirus, visit metroparks.com

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Metroparks FREE Admission During Coronavirus | Oakland County Moms

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Metroparks FREE Admission During Coronavirus - Social distancing, exercise, and nature have never been easier (or more affordable). your 13 Metro Detroit Metroparks are offering FREE admission on Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Thursdays from now through April 2, 2020. The Metroparks have canceled popular programs from their calendar from March 14 through April 5.

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An Outdoor Workbook for Kids, Families, and Classrooms

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$16.95

The Nature Connection

An Outdoor Workbook for Kids, Families, and Classrooms

by Clare Walker Leslie

Author

Clare Walker Leslie, author of The Curious Nature Guide, is a nationally known wildlife artist, author, and educator. She has been connecting people of all... See Bio

Worksheets

Printable worksheets from The Nature Connection

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The Nature Connection - Storey Publishing

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Clare Walker Leslie shows kids how to experience nature with all five senses, whether they live in the countryside, a major city, or somewhere in between. Guiding children through inspiring activities like sketching wildlife, observing constellations, collecting leaves, keeping a weather journal, and watching bird migrations, The Nature Connection encourages kids to engage with the world outside and promotes a lifelong love of nature.

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Make some maple syrup play dough for Autumn play and learning with this amazingly easy, sweet smelling recipe! No-cook, easy prep and wonderfully scented, this play dough is wonderful for sensory play for all ages!

Having already made almost every single play dough recipe and variation of play dough theme known to mankind, I was just going to remake an old favourite for the kids this week. But THEN I was looking in the cupboard and spotted the maple syrup and my mind started ticking!

How AMAZING would maple syrup play dough be?! So evocative of Autumn, spices, warmth and happy Saturday morning breakfasts. I just had to give it a go to see if it worked and (spoiler alert) it did!! The combination of spices and sweet smelling maple syrup makes for a wonderful seasonal play dough that might now go to the top of my list!

Bonus: it's all natural!!

I hope you love it as much as us.

1 tablespoon Maple Syrup

2 cups plain (all purpose) flour

1/2 cup salt

2 tablespoons any oil

2 tablespoons cream of Tartar

3 tablespoons cinnamon

1 cup boiling water

[Just want to make our usual go-to, 4 minute play dough recipe instead? Find that here!]

How to make Maple Syrup Play Dough:

Combine the dry ingredients in a large bowl. Then add the oil and mix thoroughly. Next add the water slowly, mixing when half way through and then more thoroughly when all combined. Now add the maple syrup and mix it in with a spoon.

When it has all come together turn it onto a work surface and start to knead it for 1-2 minutes until it has lost its stickiness. If any remains add another 1-2 teaspoons of cinnamon and work it into the dough.

It should be soft, stretchy and OH-SO-AMAZING to smell!!

Add more spices if you'd like it to smell even more Autumnal. Be inspired by our Autumn Spice Play Dough, our Gingerbread Play Dough and our Cinnamon Play Dough recipes for more ideas too!

Now set it out ready to play, learn and explore alongside some Autumnal loose parts! Here's what we used:

Loose Parts Checklist:
oval wood slices round wood slices a wooden bobbins leaf shaped metal cutters wooden serving tray rtificial Autumn leaves
[Amazon affiliate links]

You could also add real leaves, acorns, twigs and other natural items collected on walks in the park together. Try pushing the natural items into the dough- what impressions do they make? Can you make patterns? How about adding those to pretend they're candles/ sprinkles/ decorations/ objects for counting etc!

Can you use the dough as a cement to stack towers together? How about making a creature with the dough and loose parts? Maple syrup pancakes or cupcakes would be fun to roll, shape and create and then serve in a play dough cafe!

We made this and donated it to Mr 3's nursery before playing with it at home (he played with it there) so I have no photos of children exploring this today, which is a rarity on this blog! I think we will have to make another batch ASAP with big sisters too as the smell was just divine!

If you loved this idea for making Maple Syrup Play Dough can I beg for some love and shares on this post please?! Thank you!

And if you're a play dough addict and proud of it, you'll probably LOVE to explore our vast (and I mean VAST) play dough archives here! Enough ideas, recipes and variations of play dough themes to last well over a year if you made one per week!!

And there are a bazillion more SENSORY PLAY IDEAS here too! Happy Playing!

[This post contains Amazon affiliate links to help you find products I love and recommend more easily. Thanks!]

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Maple Syrup Play Dough Recipe - The Imagination Tree

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Make some maple syrup play dough for Autumn play and learning with this amazingly easy, sweet smelling recipe! No-cook, easy prep and wonderfully scented, this play dough is wonderful for sensory play for all ages!

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Beautiful resource

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Part botany, part history, part cultural anthropology- Trees goes beyond the basics to tell readers everything they might want to know about this particular branch of the plant kingdom. Trees explores the important roles trees play in our ecosystem, takes an up-close-and-personal look at the parts of trees (from roots to leaves), and unpacks the cultural impact of trees from classification systems (like family trees) to art forms (like bonsai trees). Looking forward, Trees also addresses the deforestation crisis. Heavily illustrated in the same style as Bees: A Honeyed History, Trees: A Rooted History serves as a beautifully packaged celebration of trees of all kinds.

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Part botany, part history, part cultural anthropology- Trees goes beyond the basics to tell readers everything they might want to know about this particular branch of the plant kingdom. Trees explores the important roles trees play in our ecosystem, takes an up-close-and-personal look at the parts of trees (from roots to leaves), and unpacks the cultural impact of trees from classification systems (like family trees) to art forms (like bonsai trees).

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In progress...

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Who made these tracks in the "sugar snow" out in the horse pasture at the farm? (See comments to find out!)

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Virtual family videos and activities series related to the Great Lakes

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Earth School - An Immersive 30 Day Nature Adventure

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Dive into videos, quizzes, and activities that will help students celebrate, connect with and explore the natural world.

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Kahchin Trail @ Brighton Recreation Area

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Kahchin Trail @ Brighton Recreation Area

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What kinds of adventures have you been having in the outdoors?!

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Who made these tracks?!? (See comments below!)