We had some amazing posts linked up to our Discover & Explore 'Gardening with Kids' linky. Be sure to stop by Fantastic Fun & Learning to see some of the cool science-related garden ideas that are being featured today.

With the National Summer Library Book theme being 'Dig into Reading', I wanted to feature some of the great posts that would pair nicely with garden books for your summer reading list.

 

I'm a toss-the-kids-out-the-door kind of parent.  Children (along with teens and adults for that matter) just don't get enough time outside these days. I can remember enjoying some wonderfully long days climbing trees, skating, creating, digging & exploring.

But I grew up with siblings and neighbors that were all close in age.  My daughter doesn't have the luxury of playmates knocking at her door. 

So lately I've been looking for ways to entice her to spend more time outside.  Since she really enjoys crafts and also likes to be surprised, we decided to create an Outdoor Activity Jar.

The were some very creative ideas and wonderful nature activities that were shared at the  Discover & Explore Earth Day Linky.  Thanks to everyone who shared their posts and offered us some fun ways to celebrate the earth!

One of the fun themes that was shared in the linky was the idea of getting out and enjoying nature with the kids. 

Today I wanted to highlight 6 Fun Nature Walks for Kids as our feature posts.

This week, our Discover & Explore feature is Gardening with Kids.  We can't wait to see all of your fun ideas & projects as we enter gardening season!

Not only is gardening a fun family activity, it’s also a wonderful way to learn about science, nature and math.  And kids really enjoy digging in the dirt, watching plants grow and then eating what they've harvested!

 

We headed out this weekend for a few hours to fly a kite - a spur of the moment idea to enjoy some outdoor time on a windy day.

Have you ever gone kite flying with the kids?

I'm so excited that we are finally seeing some spring weather!  We are so past due - and it's cutting into our gardening schedule. 

I'll admit, I am not one of those amazing Martha Stewart-type gardeners, but I really do enjoy having a small backyard garden each summer.  The kids and I choose a few favorite plants along with some new items to try each year and then we get dirty, watch the plants grow and reap the harvest (literally!)

In honor of Spring this week (yea!!), I thought I'd begin a new weekly series: 5 Fun Finds!

Every week, I find TONS of great things as I'm curating new content or writing posts. I need a way to share these with YOU!

I so hope Spring is coming soon!  We are really in the mood for more outdoor time without all the snow boots and heavy coats. 

To celebrate Spring, we're participating in a Spring Bloghop!  You can visit more than 40 blogs each with a wonderful spring activity!

In hopes of warmer temperatures, we've put together an early spring scavenger hunt list for kids to encourage them to get out and discover what nature looks like as spring approaches. 

Welcome back to our monthly Virtual Book Club for Kids! 

This month we're exploring the books of David McPhail, who is both an author and illustrator.

Now that we're in the throws of winter (and most of the holiday gifts have been played with over the past few weeks), it's time to introduce some new ideas to beat the winter doldrums.

Join us as we explore some wonderful winter fun!

Every day for the coming month, a new blog will share a fun winter activity, craft or recipe for families (see the list at the bottom of this post).

 

We've been enjoying some evening walks and the halloween decorations in our neighborhood this week, so I thought I would create a Halloween Scavenger Hunt!

 

Our theme for this week is Leaves & Seeds - exploring trees during autumn is a great nature and science activity! 

Make sure to check out our Theme Week posts on Apple Activities & the Autumn Equinox.

 

Connect with us on Facebook for more fun ideas!!

 

This Saturday, September 22nd, is the Autumn Equinox - better known as "the first day of Fall!" 

Fall is a wonderful season to explore the outdoors.  Kids can learn about nature through the skills of observation and discovery during this season.

 

 

Connect with us on Facebook for more fun ideas!!

 

When's the last time your kid looked under a rock? 

Fall is the perfect time to head outdoors and enjoy the foliage, the weather and time with each other! 

Grab the kids and head out on a new fall adventure....

 

Connect with us on Facebook for more fun ideas!!

 

Fall is apple season!  Trees are blooming with ripe apples, ready for the picking!  There are a number of fun activities for kids that involve apples -- enjoy a few this fall.

 

  The Olympics are fun for everyone to watch - kids included!  Wouldn't your kids love to participate in their own Olympics?!

Thanks to Angie, a great mom & party planner, here's a fun way to get kids more involved in celebrating during the Olympic Games this summer!

You know how kids get so excited when you visit a new playgroud?  One that has 'monkey bars that are cooler than the ones at our old playgroud' or 'the biggest slide in the world', right? 

So, why not take them on a Playground Scavenger Hunt!

It seems that the summer heat is settling in for a while - and everyone knows that hot kids are not happy kids!  Here's some fun 'frozen' ideas to beat the heat with ice, cold snacks and cool activities.

Heading to the beach this summer?  Or maybe you're planning a camp-out?  We've got some great reads for you to take along - explore a picture book, bring a chapter book to read aloud or grab a guide book for ideas on games and activities!

 

Looking for some memorable things to do this summer? Need some new ideas on easy & fun things to do with the kids?  Try a few of these quick, FREE or low-cost, have-fun-at-the-drop-of-a-hat ideas: