Screen-Free Week And A Free Printable

Posted on April 24, 2012 by Shawna

How many screens are in your home? We have 6 amongst TVs, computers and handheld devices. We were pretty low tech just three years ago but now every member of our family could potentially have their own movie, game or whatever playing at the same time. Amazing… yet disgusting.

Next week April 30th – May 6th is Screen-Free Week. Our family is going to take part. I don’t think it’s going to be easy. It’s never easy changing our habits.

Recently I set out to not eat sugar for three weeks. I rocked the first few days and then after that I wasn’t very successful. I think the main reason is because I wasn’t very well prepared. I didn’t have go-to snacks ready for those moments when my discipline and motivation were shot.

I think this may be a similar experience. So we’re planning ahead. Here’s a list of outdoor friendly activities we put together to be our go-to activities when our desire for screen time is screaming in our ears. I’m going to put it on the refrigerator. Go ahead and print it out for yourself if you’d like.

screen free week activity list

We’re not doing this because we think computers and television are bad. We’re doing this to remind ourselves that it can be done and to basically experiment and see what happens. I’m going to keep a notebook handy throughout the screen-free week and write down thoughts that pop into my head and have the kids do the same. We’ll share them with you after the event.

Tales Of A Mountain Mama is hosting some great interactions online throughout this week called Gearing Up Families To Go Screen-Free.

There will be lots of outdoor gear giveaways and lots of information and advice. So go check her out along with these other great outdoor bloggers:

Adventure Tykes

The Kid Project

Bring The Kids

Outside Mom

Velo Mom

Go Explore Nature

Wilderness For Kids

Consider this post my motivational speech about going screen-free next week, I know it’s not as good as what Matt Foley could pull off but I hope it makes you want to take part!

screen-free week, screen free, screenfree, nature for kids, free printable

Petroglyph Hunting Spots – And A Craft

Posted on April 17, 2012 by Shawna

A few weeks ago I did a guest post over at Tales Of A Mountain Mama about petroglyphs. I thought I’d add onto that subject a little bit today at Nature For Kids, tell you some of the best places to explore and share some more pictures.

This time of year always reminds me of our families petroglyph hunting adventures in southern Utah. It’s the perfect time to go, not too hot or cold in the desert.

Here is a list of great petroglyph hunting spots we had a blast exploring. These links provide in depth info on the areas and how to get there.

Hunting for petroglyphs was a fun way to spend time as a family. It was like a treasure hunt, climbing over rocks looking for images on all the faces.

While at Valley Of Fire in Nevada we came across this pictograph

The interpretive sign called it Mystical Batwoman. My hubs began calling me that and it stuck. I hope It’s not because the crazy antennas resemble my hair. But I’ll take it…it makes me feel like some type of a super hero.

Here’s a fun petroglyph craft we made at our house recently…

Petroglyph Craft For Kids

First gather up these items…

Plaster of Paris
Styrofoam plate
String
Scissors
Plastic ziploc baggy
Butter knife
Paint (sandstone color)
Paintbrush
Pencil or Nail
Measuring Cup

Step 1

Pour 3/4 cups of water into the ziploc baggy. Add 1 1/2 cups plaster.

Step 2

Squish and squash it until all the bumps are gone and it resembles pancake batter.

Step 3

Cut one corner off the baggie.

Step 4

Squirt the plaster through the hole onto the plate.

Step 5

Spread the plaster out and smooth it as best you can. Place a loop of string inside the plaster right at the top for hanging later. Let it dry about 30 minutes.

Step 6

Paint it and then wait for it to dry completely…good time to get a snack.

Step 7

Scratch out your images using the pencil and then the nail.

TA-DAAA!

If you’re interested in learning more about petroglyphs my husband’s good friend leads guided tours of most of the areas we listed above through the Carbon County Recreation Department. Where have you come across some petroglyphs or pictographs? Share some places to explore!

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Range Creek, San Rafael Swell, Valley Of Fire

The Fearless Cub Scout Leader

Posted on April 12, 2012 by Shawna

We’ve all heard the stories…a can of beans exploding in the campfire, an unexplained injury involving a slingshot, mini marshmallows stuck up the nose. Scouting is not for the faint of heart and requires fearless leaders.

Meet Cyril and Lapriel Welch. They are some of the bravest souls I know, for every Wednesday they meet with a large group of 10-year-old boys, including my son.

I’m impressed with the work and commitment they put into the scouting program, especially because it’s all on a volunteer basis. I believe they truly have the boys best interest at heart and I’m so grateful that they take the time to get to know these boys and teach them. Last week they learned to build a campfire and cooked a meal outside. This week they went on a hike. And before that they learned to tie knots, did some woodworking and a service project.

Kids can start the scouting program at age 7 as a Cub Scout, then go on to Boy Scouts at age 11. And at age 14 they become a Venturer where they have the opportunity to do some more intense outdoor recreation.

There are packs all over where you can join. Enter your zip code here to find one closest to you.

This video is a bit cheesy but it gives you an idea of what cub scouts is all about.

video

Dispite all those funny crazy stories i think the boys ultimately walk away with some positive character development and outdoor skills. What do you think?

cub scouts, scouting, scout program, boy scouts, fearless, outdoor recreation

Extreme Makeover – Bike Edition

Posted on April 4, 2012 by Shawna

Welcome to Extreme Makeover…the Bodacious Bike Edition that is. Scout has graduated from her balance bike to a pedal bike. And it was a very quick transition, three times around the block with a little help from me and she was off! Problem was it was on her brothers old bike and although it wasn’t screaming BOY she didn’t like the look of it very much. So the makeover began!

Here’s what it looked like BEFORE we started, orangish red rocket bike….

And here’s the AFTER, watermelon pink, ladybug bedazzled, baby basket and flowing ribbons.

I helped put some newspaper over the spokes and chain and let her do all the spray painting. She was amazed that I gave her free reign on this. This had to be her favorite part…she’s been aching to spray paint something, hopefully this doesn’t give birth to the neighborhood graffiti artist.

Next she put on 2 sheets of ladybug / sparkly flower stickers that she picked out at the store.

Then we cut some ribbon and I tied them onto the handle bars.

And last but not least she held the wire basket while I zip tied it to the handle bars. We scored at the thrift store and got it for .75 cents!

Once it was finished she promptly loaded the basket up with her dolls and music box. She had me wind the music box so it played while she road up and down the road. She sounded like a little ice cream truck. I didn’t tell her this though for fear of her turning this new bike into an entrepreneur adventure. I could see her selling otter pops out of her basket to any poor kid who was willing to give her a buck.

Oh how I love this little one…

Here’s some footage of Scout learning to ride a bike…

video

Today I also did a guest post over at Tales Of A Mountain Mama. It’s about one of our favorite spring activities, petroglyph hunting. I also included a fun craft idea for the kids. Go take a peek! Mountain Mama is a rad site written by Amelia. She covers all things outdoors and is a great resource.

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More Playscapes And Plant Preparation

Posted on March 22, 2012 by Shawna

Besides some spotty bizarre snow storms rolling through our neck of the woods we are experiencing some perfectly warm sunny days! The kids are getting shorts on for school as we speak.

So my mind is reeling with all the work that needs to be done. I really need to make a list of priorities, otherwise I end up working on whatever I feel like and the important stuff never really gets done.

Let me show you the fun stuff though, I can’t resist. Here are some playscapes I’ve come across recently.

A Bean Hut from Paint On The Ceiling

I mean I’m gushing over this…and Hannah’s cute little girl too! I’ve come across other versions of this but this is my favorite because it’s not enclosed like a tepee. I’m thinking that would equal less bugs and spiders to be surprised by.

And take a look at this sandbox / swing / tepee / stepping stumps I found over at Apartment Therapy…I’m in love.

And here’s a thrifty outdoor xylophone I would love to make. Although I’m not sure how our neighbors would feel about it. I found it at Instructables.com.

And last but not least check out this fun wall for playing with gravity and water. I found this over at Momtastic.

I mean we all have old hoses, buckets and water bottles. Plus the water is recycled so play could go on for hours!

Now wasn’t that fun! I guess now I should look at my priorities and get our grapes pruned, reseed the spotty grass and get seeds planted for the garden this summer. If you missed our post on how to start your seeds in your house take a look at it here. Starting A Garden With Kids You don’t need much to get started!

Have a great day everyone and we’ll be back soon!

garden, gardening, gardening with kids, playscapes, outdoors, outdoor spaces, nature for kids, nature