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This activity will teach you how plants grow with hands-on experience from seedling to harvest.  Some materials you may need: Small containers about 2- to 3-inches deep (egg cartons, yogurt cups, plastic pots, etc) Lightweight soil-less potting mix Seeds (sunflowers, zinnias, cosmos, radishes, lettuces, and dill all grow quickly) Spray bottle Craft sticks Plastic wrap …

‘Tis the season for tadpoles! In March and early April, many frog species lay their eggs, called frogspawn, in ponds or large puddles. Most frogspawn hatches from May to early June, and the edges of the pond seem to brim with tadpoles. Once you find the tadpoles, revisit the pond during the next 6 to …

Make your own sun-catcher  wind chime!  Things you will need:  Contact paper Scissors Marker or pen Rings from mason jar lids String A sturdy stick Then follow the directions on this page!    Image by M W 

This week, you can make your own seed bombs! A seed bomb (also known as a seed ball) is a ball of clay that contains compost and seeds from native plants, especially wildflowers. The mixture of clay and earth holds in moisture. It also helps protect the seeds from being eaten by animals before they …

This project will have you designing, building, and playing on your own mini putt-putt course, either in your yard or even inside your house. Look around for objects you can use to construct the course. The items can include: cereal boxes  buckets, bins, and other containers gift bags jars boots plastic cups books Almost any …

Here’s an activity that will give both you and your children something to do while socially distancing yourselves from others. Create a treasure hunt for your kids that takes them both around the house and through the yard. First, choose what the treasure will be. It could be a tasty snack. It might be a new …

It’s almost the official start of spring! If the weather’s warming up in your are of the country, take a walk this weekend — barefoot!  Going barefoot outside has lots of benefits; here’s just one article explaining some of them.     Photo by anitapeppers

You may be thinking, “What 29 year old spends her Saturday afternoon building a solar pizza oven?” Well, allow me to introduce myself. My name is Leigh Ann, I love crafts, I love a theme, and I love to eat. I work for Duke Energy as a Public Relations Associate and I’m tasked with educating …

It’s time to start planting flower bulbs for summer blooms! These can include (but are not limited to) begonias, dahlias, gladiola, and elephant ears. For more information on planting summer bulbs, click HERE.    Photo by lisaleo

It’s time to get out the art supplies! This weekend, bring family and friends together to paint a winter tree! You can find all of the instructions here.    Photo by Pellinni

This activity will help your students become more familiar with the types of products that can be recycled, as well as how to recycle them.  Supplies:  One pair of non-latex gloves for each team of students (such as garden gloves) Trash bags in two different colors, one for regular litter and one for recyclable materials …

Campfires are fun in the winter, too! This weekend, warm up with a backyard campfire! You don’t have to wait until nightfall — if the temperature drops too low after dark, build it during the day. You can roast hotdogs, vegetables, and marshmallows. Don’t forget the chocolate and graham crackers to make some s’mores. As …

This weekend, find out more about your city. Do some research to discovery the legends, stories, and history of your community. Be sure to not only check online, but also look for resources in your local library, visitor’s center, tourist board, and historical society. Some things to find out: Which Native American tribes first settled …

A sundial is a great way to learn about the earth’s rotation. The this article will teach about the topic as well as help you create your own!   Photo by jeltovski

A new year often means new resolutions and new goals. In 2020, set a family goal regarding the outdoors. Some ideas include:  Take a long-distance hike together Learn how to do a new outdoor activity, such as kayaking, rock climbing, or mountain biking Adopt a road and keep it clean of litter Visit a national …

Help your kids (and you!) hone their balancing skills! Even if the weather is chilly, they’ll enjoy using a slackline. A slackline is a  two-inch-wide nylon webbing strip attached to two trees with a ratchet tension system. As you practice  walking and sitting on the slackline, you’ll find you’re not just building up core strength, …

This weekend, plant some flower bulbs that will bloom in the spring.  American Meadows has a webpage with a complete listing of spring bulbs as well as a regional planting map to get you started. 

Pumpkin seeds make are a delicious and nutritious snack! So this weekend, roast the pumpkin seeds from your carved pumpkin.  Taste of Home is just one site with tips on how to roast them.    Photo by MaxStraeten

Enjoy the cooler weather of fall by attending a fall festival. Just look online for festivals in your area. Your local library and chamber of commerce may have listings, too. 

Hopefully the autumn season is bringing some cooler weather to your area. You can take advantage of the lower temperatures by hosting a field day in your own backyard or local park. And remember, field days aren’t just for kids! You can invite family members of all ages, neighbors, and friends.  Activities Here are some …