Tag: Outside

Free Fall Activities

kswemba
Leaf kite

If you’re like me, you look forward to the weekend. But after about an hour with children you think, what are we going to do all day?!?! My kids are at their best when they are outside. They’re still young, almost 7 and 4.5, so are easily occupied by simple things.

A couple of fall things that we have done every year are free, fun, and simple.

  1. Leaf gathering – I give them each a paper bag and we go for a walk in the neighborhood,gathering different colors of leaves. You can also go to a park to increase the excitement
  2. Leaf etching – take a couple of leaves, place underneath a paper, and use a crayon to etch over
  3. Leaf kite – all it takes is a leaf and a string. Then you can have your kids run through the yard flying their kite, or tie it to their trike
  4. Fall scavenger hunt – see pinterest kcedventures.com
  5. Leaf shadow tracing – place leaves on a paper and let kids trace their shapes
  6. Egg carton fall collection – give kids each an egg carton and have them fill it with fall treasures from around the yard.
  7. Use corn on the cob or pine cones to paint
  8. Draw a tree using markers and let the kids use finger paint to add colorful fall leaves

That’s it! I hope you find time to enjoy the outdoors today!

Monarch Caterpillar Rescue Part 2!

kswemba
Two at their new home

My husband and kids found more milkweed not far from us. We gently gathered the caterpillars into our bug jars, (a big thanks to Aunt Alaina who got jars for our kids) and placed a few milk weed leaves inside to tide them over….. they’re super hungry! Judging by the size of the large ones, I’d say they’re maybe a day or so away from forming a chrysalis. The small ones need to continue to eat for about 5 more days before they’re ready.

We took the caterpillars out of the jars and placed them on the milkweed leaves. My kids loved helping the caterpillars onto the leaves! They were so gentle and even cheered the future butterflies on in attaching to their new home.

My husband found a milkweed seed pod and once we got home, him and the kids spread the seeds. It literally opens up and look likes cotton or white dandelion fluff. Hopefully soon we’ll have more milkweed and be able to provide a home to future monarch caterpillars. I’m thrilled we got to help nature today and go on an adventure as a family! Simple and beautiful, what a day!

Monarch Caterpillar Rescue!

kswemba
Here’s two of eight! Aren’t they stunning!?

Oh my goodness, I am so excited right now! In our backyard, we have 8 monarch caterpillars! It’s unbelievable! My husband planted milkweed specifically to attract monarchs and it worked! It worked too well because it also attracted deer, which have eaten most of our milkweed! Milkweed is the only thing that monarch caterpillars eat and where monarch butterflies lay their eggs. So now, my kids are on a creature rescue, as inspired by The Wild Kratts. (If you don’t know who the Wild Kratts are, I urge you to check out their show on PBS…it’s FANTASTIC, my kids LOVE it.) They’re on a neighborhood hunt with my husband for milkweed. Once found, we’re going to transport the caterpillars to their new home. I’ll keep you posted! Enjoy your day!