Idea for the Weekend

This weekend, get together some friends or family members and learn a new game! Here are some you may not have played before: Bocci Ball Disc Golf Kanjam Horseshoes Cornhole   Photo by garrygraham  

Summer is the perfect time to catch up on all the books you’ve been wanting to read. It’s also the time libraries sponsor summer reading programs. So this weekend, create a special reading space in your backyard or on your patio. It could be as simple as finding the perfect tree or hanging up a …

It’s still spring, and the perfect time to plant sunflowers for the summer. But instead of planting them in a neat rows, consider turning them into a sunflower house! Here are some ways you can do it:  Plant a Sunflower House Building a Sunflower House with Kids Creating a Sunflower Fort    Photo by kburrgraf1

This mother’s day, help mom enjoy some time outdoors. Here are some ideas:  Set up a hammock so she can read or nap outside  Take a hike together Have a picnic  Visit a new park  Go for a family bike ride Play Frisbee golf  Go kayaking or canoeing Pick a wildflower bouquet together Attend an …

Spring is blooming! Visit your local library and check out some flower identification books. Then find some wildflowers in your area and identify what kind they are. You may want to take along a nature journal to make a record of what you see.    Photo by Fracticality

This weekend, find a local farm to visit. Since it’s springtime, chances are you’ll get to see some calves, lambs, or kids while you’re there.    Photo by carolwerner   

This weekend, head outdoors with your favorite color of chalk and get creative! If you don’t have a paved driveway or sidewalk, ask around to see if there’s somewhere else you could draw. The local churches, the  library, or a  community center might be willing to share their space, especially if you have a group …

Grab your cameras and cell phones! Using forced perspective, you can create photos with fun optical illusions. For ideas and more information on how to get started, check out these sites:  Easy Trick Photography Even a Kid Can Do  Secret Tip: Forced Perspective Photography 7 Tips for Creating Excellent Forced Perspective Photographs 

This weekend, find a creek in a park and follow it. Take a phone or camera along to photograph what you find.    Photo by Anugama

This weekend, make your own butterfly feeder. There are lots of directions for different types of feeders online. Here’s one to try. All you need is a plastic 2-liter bottle, a hole punch, a needle, some string, hot glue and a glue gun, a cotton ball, and some artificial flowers. Other DIY feeders you can …

This weekend, see what kinds of textures you can find in the bark of the trees around your home or neighborhood. Take along some paper and crayons to record the textures with bark rubbings. If you already know the type of tree it is, write it down on the back. If not, take along a …

What wild birds live near your home? Take a walk in a park and see what feathers you can find. Then try to identify them using The Feather Atlas by the Fish and Wildlife Service.     Photo by Bryan Hanson  

This weekend, plan a scavenger hunt in your own neighborhood. The night before, make a list of all the things your children need to look for. They can include: A dogA catA bicycleA street sign A house with an attached garageA squirrel Swing set A blue car A fire hydrantSomething that begins with the letter …

Is there a park in your town you’ve never been to? If you’ve been to them all, chances are there’s one in the next town you haven’t seen. This weekend, explore a new park or playground with your family. You may discover a new favorite place! Photo by keencarlene

Nothing warms the heart on cold days like sitting around a campfire with friend and family. And if you’re going to be making a campfire, it’s time to make s’mores! If you can’t make a campfire in your backyard, don’t worry. You can use the sun to make your s’mores! Photo by shebaduhkitty

You don’t need many supplies for this craft! Just a pair of scissors and some white paper (although you could add a little glitter!). For directions on how to make a paper snowflake, click HERE. Photo by reccaphoenix

This weekend, head outside and search for animal tracks! Don’t just look for tracks made by your pet — see what other types of tracks you can find. Even if it has not snowed in your area recently, you can also find tracks in the dirt or mud. When you find some animal tracks, snap …

The stars you see in the night sky change from season to season, so even if it’s a little chilly outside, take advantage of a clear evening. Not sure what to look for? Check out this page for everything to watch for in the sky during January 2019.

This weekend, get together with your family and brainstorm ways you can spend time outside together on a regular basis. Some ideas may be: Walking or Hiking Playing an outdoor gameBirdwatching Gardening Going on a picnic Stargazing Next, choose one that everyone would like to do this year. It could be once a week or …

Many cities offer turkey trots on Thanksgiving Day — fun foot races to help you burn off some of those calories you will be eating later. So this weekend, find one near you that the whole family can participate in. Then head outside for some practice! You may even be starting a new Thanksgiving tradition!  …