Category Archives: activities for kids

Kids Can Learn a Lot from Nature

When we think about doing educational activities with our kids, how often do we think about taking a walk through the woods?  As the leaves begin to fall, and animals scurry to collect food for winter, there’s plenty for kids to learn while they’re on the go.

One of the keys to growing kids who love to learn is to find the learning that’s available all around us.

As you walk through the woods, help your kids notice what’s happening during the fall season.

If they’re interested in the leaves, help them understand why leaves turn from green to the beautiful reds and golds of fall, and then drop to the ground.  Encourage them to gather leaves, and make a leaf print when you get home.  Talk to them about everything they see; help them to wonder.

If they go for the acorns, talk to them about seeds, and look for seedlings.  Talk to them about the different parts of plants, and how seeds grow.  Help them think about how seeds travel, and plant themselves!  Consider planting some seeds indoors together, so your kids can watch them grow during the winter.

Do they notice the animals?  If your kids are curious about how animals make it through the winter, talk to them about ecosystems and habitats.  Help them understand which animals leave for awhile (migrate) and which ones stay and hunker down (hibernate).

Your kids will be curious.  The key is to capitalize on their interests and keep the learning fun.

Happy autumn!

Angry Birds Have Me Beat

This popular app has thousands of us flinging little blue birds that multiply and black birds that explode at little pink pigs faster than the next person can download the game.  While we flew across the country to Colorado a couple of weeks ago, my kids and husband completed levels in record time, clicking Play as soon as the Captain said, “You can now turn on your addictive little devices, boys.”

I snuck a game in now and then, too, but because of my incredibly frugal commitment to only download free apps, I have to play this $.99 game on my husband’s iPhone.  That means, of course, that I’m not the only one in line.
It also means I am the worst Angry Birds player ever.
On my last turn, I flung two birds backwards.  My children were slightly ashamed and I can’t say I blame them.
One another turn, I pulled the bird back as far as I could to get a really great fling.  As I let go, it fell off the slingshot and plopped onto the ground directly in front of it.  My youngest expressed sympathy.  “That’s okay, Mom.  It happened to me one time, too.”
Nonetheless, it’s humbling to watch as they progress through level after level, while I remain in the very first set.  They have birds now that I’ve never even seen!
Ah, technology.  For all its claims about enriching our world, in the end it’s the Angry Birds that attract us.  I’m not sure if that should make us laugh or cry.
Either way, I’m thinking of asking my son to tutor me.  This is getting embarrassing.
How about you?  What are your favorite apps?  All fun ones or some useful?  (My favorite useful one, btw, is one we use to track vacation expenditures.  I’m much better at that than at Angry Bird, thank goodness.)  Share your favorite recommendations!