Call me retro, but we're taking back the birthday party. This year, we're stepping away from overspending, overindulging, and overstressing. One too many trips to the indoor play palace has sent me over the edge and straight into the backyard where, once again, nature provides fun and discoveries aplenty.
Over the last year, we really have nurtured the love of nature in our children. TV, video games, and an overly-structured schedule have given way to hours spent hiking, birdwatching, gardening, and just playing outside -- imaginations in full bloom. My daughter jumped at the chance to share her love of the outdoors with her friends, so we're celebrating her special day with a good old-fashioned backyard birthday party.
Homemade garlands of leaves and flowers decorate the patio. Red checkered tablecloths dot the yard and will make the perfect picnic spot for the kids. And a "Happy Birthday" sign is hand-decorated with pictures of flowers, birds, bugs and other backyard favorites.
We're doing a nature scavenger hunt, playing animal charades and bringing back old-school favorites like a balloon toss, Hot Potato, and a leap frog race. My neighbor has offered to do face painting for the kids -- the yard soon will be filled with butterflies, raccoons, lizards, and other backyard buddies.
Wearing a crown of dandelions she made herself, my daughter eagerly welcomes her first guest. Her expression is sheer joy. It's going to be a great day!
Keep It Simple
Tired of over-the-top parties? Why not throw a simple party or cookout in your backyard or favorite local park? Keep it simple -- the memories you make will be priceless. Think back to the games you played as a child and share these with your kids.
Want to do goodie bags? Go natural! Send kids home with a magnifying glass, a bug net and some cool critter stickers -- all of which can be picked up from a dollar or discount store.
Share your backyard birthday ideas in the Community Corner of the Green Hour website!
It's easy to get caught up in the "more is more" mentality, but is it the best message to be sending to our children? Twenty years from now, your child may not remember that you spent thousands of dollars on party rentals, expensive goodie bags, or extravagant themes. But you can bet he or she will remember time spent playing games, laughing with family and friends, and birthdays filled with fun!
Exploring and enjoying the outdoors with your child is a wonderful way to spend time together. Ready to get started? The information and ideas collected here will help you find the best ways to make Green Hour work for you.
First and foremost, spending time outside should be fun -- for you and for your child. Are you looking at it as one more chore on a to-do list that's already too long, or one more duty you must fulfill to be a good parent? Don't! This is a chance to take a break from chores, duties, schedules, and stress. Give yourself permission just to play... and the many benefits of Green Hour will follow. (TOP)
Engage Your Curiosity
Any time of the day, at any time of the year, something amazing is happening outside your window. Step outside with an attitude of wonder and you'll find it. Begin by exploring with each of your senses. Encourage your child to look closer at a flower or a rock, listen to a bird song, sniff the rich damp earth, touch a fuzzy leaf or a tree's rough bark. Practice delighting in each discovery you make, and your sense of wonder will grow stronger and stronger. (TOP)
Model Active Participation
Twenty years from now, your child may not remember every piano lesson or soccer practice you took them to. But you can bet they'll remember climbing a tree with you! You have tremendous influence as a role model; if you are squeamish about worms or spiders or rain or mud, your child is likely to follow your example. On the other hand, if you're the first one to fall over and make a snow angel or wade bravely into the pond to catch a bug, your child will probably be eager to try it too. (TOP)
Discover Together
You absolutely do NOT need to be a nature expert to successfully enjoy nature with your child! Instead of the teacher with all the answers, be a partner in the game of discovery. You can observe and appreciate plants, birds, and bugs whether or not you know their names. If identification is important to you, take along a field guide or visit the library and look up answers to your questions together. Or make up your own names for the new friends you meet.
"I don't know what kind of beetle that is. What do you think we should call it?" "It has spots and it runs fast. Let's call it Speedy Spotty Beetle." (TOP)
Guide the Exploration
Maybe you do have names or interesting facts about nature on the tip of your tongue. Knowledge can certainly add depth to your experience, but sometimes it's best to wait until your child asks before imparting it. Instead, notice what interests your child and try asking open-ended questions that will encourage him or her to think more deeply or investigate further.
"Why do you think that bird has grass in its beak?"
"Do you hear that sound? Let's see if we can find where it's coming from."
"You found an animal track! Where do you think the animal was going? Did it have big feet or small ones? Was it walking or hopping? What do your tracks look like when you walk and when you hop?" (TOP)
Stay Flexible
Outdoor exploration doesn't lead down a straight road to a single outcome. Follow whatever path sparks your interest, and if you end up doing something entirely different from the activity you set out to do, that's quite all right. By staying open and flexible, you'll be ready to take advantage of whatever spontaneous "teachable moments" come along. Maybe you'd planned to collect fall leaves, but if an unexpected guest -- a bird, a squirrel, even a deer -- appears and looks right at you, then by all means stop and watch and whisper your wonder to each other! (TOP)
Adapt for Age
You'll want to choose outdoor activities appropriate to the age of your child. Imagine a map with your home in the center. Draw ever-widening circles around it, each representing a successively older child's realm of experience. For the youngest nature explorers, the backyard is the whole world. Keep it simple and fun, focusing on sensory explorations and joyful discovery. As children get older, they'll be ready to explore farther and farther afield. They'll want more strenuous physical challenges and new information to stretch their minds. Whenever possible, encourage some independent exploration as your child develops new skills and greater confidence. (TOP)
Adjust for Learning Styles
"Multiple intelligence theory" lends scientific credibility to something parents have always known: There are many ways to be smart, and every child has a unique set of strengths. You know best how your child learns and can tailor activities to his or her interests and preferences. At the same time, you can encourage your child to stretch his or her abilities by trying new things. The chart below lists the recognized "intelligences" and offers suggestions for activities that make use of each.
Intelligence
Ways to use or develop this intelligence outdoors
VERBAL
"Word smart"
Describe what you see, hear, smell, touch, and feel
Look up names of plants and animals in field guides or make up your own names for them
Keep a journal of your observations and discoveries
Tell others about your adventures
MATHEMATICAL
"Number/logic smart"
Count or measure things you see
Sort or classify objects (leaves, shells, rocks) based on their characteristics
Collect data: put up a rain gauge, chart temperatures, note birds at your feeder at different times of day
Ask questions and set up experiments to answer them
VISUAL
"Picture smart"
Sketch objects you find (leaves, flowers, bugs, etc.)
Follow maps, make your own maps of favorite places
Look for patterns, colors, and designs in nature
Use natural objects to create sculptures or models
KINESTHETIC
"Body smart"
Run, hike, jump, hop, climb, balance, swim, etc.
Imitate animals you see: scamper like a squirrel, hop like a rabbit, soar like a bird
Twirl and dance in the snow or rain or wind
Learn an outdoor skill such as skiing, snowshoeing, canoeing, snorkeling, or rock climbing
MUSICAL
"Music/rhythm smart"
Listen to and learn the calls of birds, frogs, and insects
Sing familiar songs, or make up your own songs, about things you see and do outdoors
Make drums or other musical instruments out of natural objects
INTERPERSONAL
"People smart"
Collaborate with others to accomplish something, such as planting a garden or paddling a canoe
Participate in scheduled outdoor programs with other children or families
Take turns leading and following as you explore
INTRAPERSONAL
"Self smart"
Provide choices about where to go, what activity to do, and how much time to spend there
Encourage independent exploration when possible
Make time for reflection after an outdoor experience, such as writing in a journal, drawing a picture, or talking about reactions, thoughts, and emotions
A little advance planning will help to ensure successful adventures. Often you won't need any special equipment, but you and your child might enjoy putting together a backpack of supplies to hang beside the door so that you're ready to head outside at a moment's notice. See the box below for some ideas about items to include.
You might also want to gather up seasonally-appropriate clothing and keep it handy near the door: coats, hats, mittens, boots for winter; rain jacket and mud boots in the spring and fall; sun hat, sunglasses, and sneakers for summer.
Another thing to gather is information about local community resources. Where are the nearby parks and trails? How about nature centers with family-friendly programming? Share this information with teachers or day care providers, too, and let them know how important it is for children to go outside.
Pack an Explorer's Kit
Here are some items you might want to include:
Magnifying glass
Binoculars
Plastic bags and containers for collecting
Field guides
Notebook and pencil to record what you see
Camera
Water bottle
Sunscreen
Bug repellent
Band-aids
Blanket/tarp for sitting on the ground or building forts
Mosquitoes, ticks, poison ivy, frostbite, sunburn... the outdoors might seem scary if you dwell on the dangers. The truth is, there's no reason any of these should keep you inside. Know the facts so nothing gets in the way of your fun!
Bee, Wasp and Insect Stings
Most people have only mild reactions to bee, wasp and insect stings. Those who are allergic to certain venoms can have severe reactions that require emergency treatment. If you know you or your child is allergic, carry a bee sting kit.
Tips to avoid getting stung:
Wear shoes and long pants and sleeves
Cover food at picnics.
Don't swat -- stay calm and move slowly or stand still.
Poison Ivy, Poison Oak and Poison Sumac
These three common plants can cause a painful, itchy rash.
Tips for avoiding them:
Learn to recognize poisonous plants that grow in your region.
Wear long pants and sleeves.
If you think you have been exposed, wash the area with warm water. Don't scrub.
West Nile Virus
This virus is spread by mosquitoes and can be transmitted to birds, animals and people. The risk from a single bite is extremely low (less than 1% of people bitten and infected become severely ill). The best way to avoid the virus is to prevent mosquito bites.
Tips to avoid bites:
Wear long pants and sleeves.
Apply insect repellant to clothing.
Regularly change the water in bird baths, pet dishes, flower pots and other objects in your yard that collect water.
Keep gutters and downspouts clear of wet leaves and standing water.
Snakes
Venomous snakebites are rare, and they are rarely fatal to humans. However, it is wise to learn to recognize the snakes of your region. For any snakebite, seek medical care as soon as possible.
Tips to avoid snakebites:
Wear boots and loose fitting pants.
Leave snakes alone.
Stay on trails and watch where you place your hands and feet.
Bird Flu
Although avian influenza (bird flu) viruses do not usually infect humans, rare cases have been reported. Most cases are thought to have resulted from direct contact with infected poultry or contaminated surfaces.
Important things to know about bird flu:
The most dangerous strain has not been found in wild birds in North America.
People who feed birds are not at high risk from birds in their yards.
Ticks
Tick bites can spread Lyme disease and other diseases such as Rocky Mountain spotted fever. If you or your child is bitten by a tick, watch for symptoms and seek medical attention if they develop. Most cases can be treated successfully with antibiotics.
Tips to prevent tick-borne diseases:
Wear long pants and sleeves.
Tuck pants legs into your socks.
Apply repellant to clothing.
Conduct a body check upon return from tick-infested areas.
Properly remove attached ticks.
Weather Extremes -- Heat
The most serious concern in a hot environment is heat stroke. Heat exhaustion and fainting are less severe, but can also occur.
Tips to prevent a heat-related illness:
Drink plenty of fluids.
Wear appropriate clothing (light colored and loose fitting) and sunscreen.
In very hot weather, limit outdoor activity to morning and evening hours.
Never leave children or pets in a parked car.
Weather Extremes -- Cold
In very cold temperatures the most serious concern is hypothermia. Frostbite is another serious effect of cold exposure.
Tips to stay safe in cold weather:
Dress warmly (layers, hat, scarf, mittens, etc).
Stay dry or get out of wet clothes immediately.
Outdoor Allergies
When allergens such as pollen and mold spores are inhaled, they may cause allergic reactions.
Tips for outdoor allergy relief:
Be aware of the pollen count and mold spore count.
Avoid fresh cut grass.
Upon returning indoors, take a shower and change clothes.
The benefits of getting outside with your child far outweigh the risks as long as you use your common sense. You'll enjoy spending time together doing wholesome activities you remember from your own childhood. You'll engage your child's curiosity and sharpen observation skills. You'll foster respect for the natural world. You'll also be healthier for it! Outdoor activities promote physical fitness and well-being, and spending time in a natural setting can reduce stress and improve concentration. So what are you waiting for? Go on out and play! (TOP)
Last Child in the Woods
by Richard Louv
ISBN:1565125223
Secret Spaces of Childhood
by Elizabeth N. Goodenough (Editor)
ISBN: 0472068458
Sharing Nature with Children
by Joseph Cornell
ISBN: 0916124142
Children and Nature: Psychological, Sociocultural, and Evolutionary Investigations
by Peter H., Jr. Kahn (Editor)
& Stephen R. Kellert (Editor)
ISBN: 0262611759
The Sense of Wonder
by Rachel Carson
ISBN: 0060914505
The Geography of Childhood
by Gary Paul Nabhan and Stephen Trimble
ISBN: 0807085251
Beyond Ecophobia
by David Sobel
ISBN: 0913098507
I Love Dirt!
by Jennifer Ward
ISBN: 1590305353
GARDENING
Attracting Birds, Butterflies and Other Backyard Wildlife
by David Mizejewski
ISBN: 1580111505
Roots, Shoots, Buckets, and Boots: Gardening Together with Children
by Sharon Lovejoy
ISBN: 0761110569
Noah's Garden: Restoring the Ecology of Our Own Backyards
by Sara Stein
ISBN: 0395709407
FIELD GUIDES
Peterson's First Field Guide Series
(Over 55 titles covering North America. Published by Houghton Mifflin.)
The Audubon Society Nature Guides
(Published by Alfred A. Knopf.)
Fun with Nature (Take-Along Guides)
by Mel Boring et al
ISBN: 1559717955
Gardening With Kids Store (National Gardening Association) http://www.kidsgardeningstore.com/ Specializes in kids-sized gardening tools and educational materials.
Taking photos of -- and with -- your child is a great way save and share your outdoor fun. Here are some tried-and-true tips for photographers of all ages.
1. Fit the SHAPE
Think of your camera's viewfinder as a picture frame. Try to match the frame to the shape of your subject.
If you have an up-and-down subject, don't hold the camera in the "normal" way (below left). Turn your camera side-ways to fit the shape of your subject (below right).
2. Get the LIGHT RIGHT
If you shoot toward the sun, your subject may come out too dark (below left).
Shoot with the sun behind you or to the side and the subject will come out just right (below right).
If you shoot in bright, midday sun, your photo may have lots of glare and dark shadows (below left).
Wait for a cloud to come along, or shoot early or late in the day. That will "soften" the glare and shadows for a more pleasing photo (below right).
3. Fill the FRAME
Small things can "disappear" if you shoot from too far away (below left).
"Supersize" your subject by using your camera's zoom or by moving closer (below right).
4. Cut the CLUTTER
Check all parts of your frame before you shoot. Watch for stuff that doesn't belong -- and takes attention away from your subject (below left).
Move your subject (or yourself) or zoom in to get a simpler, uncluttered background (below right).
5. Go LOW
Got a subject at ground level? Aiming down (lower left) might be OK, but . . .
. . . it's usually better to get down on your knees or even your belly and go eye to eye (lower right).
6. Catch the MOMENT
Think you have a good shot lined up? Go ahead and shoot (lower left). But then wait a moment.
With patience, you may turn a good shot into a great one (lower right). Try to catch that magical moment!
A great way to make a backyard birthday really special and memorable is to have a Backyard Birthday Campout. There are companies online that have complete packages that include the party plates, tablecloths, napkins, cups and Rental of the tents, sleeping bag, ground pads, and kids lanterns. The best thing -- it's delivered right to your door. We had one and it was Great fun!
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It's easy to get caught up in the "more is more" mentality, but is it the best message to be sending to our children? Twenty years from now, your child may not remember that you spent thousands of dollars on party rentals, expensive goodie bags, or extravagant themes. But you can bet he or she will remember time spent playing games, laughing with family and friends, and birthdays filled with fun! 
