Idea for the Weekend

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  

Spring is in the air — hopefully it’s showing up in your weather forecast, too! This weekend, enjoy the warmer temperatures by letting your creativity flow, and build some fairy houses! You can use just mud, twigs, hand grass; you can use a few extra supplies such as glue, hot glue, a sharpie, and string;or you could start off with a basic structure and adding natural embellishments.  Photo by cherniedurbin

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

It’s almost Valentine’s Day, and hearts are decorating schools, businesses, stores. This weekend, head outside with a camera or cell phone and find some hearts in nature! Photo by keencarlene Photo by pippalou Featured image by pippalou

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 …

Is your family getting ready for Christmas? You can keep the holiday spirit going by making homemade wreaths. Here’s a great tutorial that uses a wire wreath frame, floral wire, and the greenery you can find outside! Photo by gleangeanie

Is the weather snowy where you live? If so, chances are you’ve made a snowman, snowballs, and even a snow fort. But have you ever made a snow maze? All you need is a yard full of snow and some willing participants to shuffle, stomp, and move through the snow. Need more inspiration? Check out …

‘Tis the season to decorate, and what better way to decorate than with free natural items you find outdoors? This weekend, send the family outside on a pinecone hunt. Then bring your bounty in to create some holiday decorations. Click here for some ideas to try!      Photo by krosseel