Water Balloons

What can you do with left over water balloons? Here's a start:

AND WE STILL HAVE MORE!!!!

Embracing Our Inner Huck Finn

There is nothing worse than wet socks inside wet boots! Ok, there probably is worse things, but it's just not comfortable so this was our solution today!
It was wet, and it was fun And yes, I got in on it too!

Green Tubes

I can't get over how easily everyone has taken to our loose part program, and we have been donated some truly neat items. The green tubes are no exception to the things that, otherwise would be thrown away and we have made use of them. A few months ago when a friend of mine gave me six boxes of these green tubes I was so eager to see what we could do with them. They have been used in a variety of ways over the last few months, including the base for a carnival game for my church, but not really in the ways I thought they would be used, they mostly were mostly being used to throw around, and as little cups in the playhouse. I'll be honest in saying, I really was starting to think that maybe I had taken more than we could handle, but they still remained outside ready for a lightbulb moment. Today that happened!

We had a new child start today, and interestingly she gravitated immediately to these tubes, and pretty quickly all the children's eyes were open to the possibility of discovery!

Look at all the things that happened with these green tubes, it was awesome! It was everything from binoculars, to waterwings, to giant muscles, to socks, to a castle, all the way to a giant tunnel!

Boats

I just love the innocence of this photo and had to share it. On our way to our latest adventure.

Last time we took a trip to the forest we went exploring in the stream and two things happened. One: we hadn't had rain in a while, so the stream had dried up. Two: a homeowner yelled at the children through her window telling the children to stay away from her fence. That was embarrassing to say the least... especially since we weren't anywhere near her fence, plus her home backs onto a public green space!

This time around we decided to keep away from that area of the forest and knowing that it had rained quite a bit the last couple days, there was a pretty good chance that there would be water. Since the children eagerly race towards the stream each time we visit the forest, I wanted to ensure that the children stayed in one area of the stream (away from THAT end of the stream), so I brought along some styrofoam trays a grandparent had so graciously donated.

We quickly discovered that, although there had been quite a bit of rain, the stream did not hold as much water as we thought, and the 'boats' just kind of sat in the water. Not to worry though, it was neat to try out different areas, and to scoop the water with the trays... seriously, these children don't let anything stop them!

In the process we found ourselves soaked to the bone and loving every moment!

Some children tested out their boats with cargo to see if they could float as well 

In the end we discovered that nature has it's own way of making boats, we found a large cluster of pine needles that were able to float down the stream, this caused a lot of observing and a need to go collect our own needle boats... natural is always a better way anyhow! 

Those trays we useful in so many ways that day, and became a great carrying tray to bring forest treasures back to our school!

Worm in distress!!!

While the children were enjoying our brief sunshiney days a worm was spotted on our sidewalk! The children had been observing worms in their delightfully cold and damp soil, but had not been aware that the odd worm  gets a little off course and ends up in a rather precarious position, risking getting dried up by the sun. 

At some point in our outside play time you can always find at least one child totting around a worm all the while being engrossed in another form of activity. Some children, like the child below just like to sit and observe.

While the child observed the worm, other children put forward a call to action! The worm was in danger, and all hands were required to save the little guy. The interesting part to me was that not one child picked up the worm and moved it to safety, but rather built little fences to corral the wriggly worm towards his destination!

It took a great deal of discussion and some organization. A few children noticed that the fences were not going to achieve the ultimate goal if one end was not open, so they were diligent to remind others of that need. 

Of course with the sun beating down, the worm was just not moving fast enough. So a then the course of action switched to making a temporary covering for the worm while he made his way to the soil.

Through the process of teamwork, it appears that the worm was saved, the children we relieved to have done their small part. The amazing process of discovering all the while playing, was fulfilling and a joy to observe!

Nature's Playground

*Just a disclaimer... my batteries in my camera were dying, so some photos are a little blurry.*

Earlier in the week we took a trek out to our local forest. This is a new experience for some of the children, and of course part of walking in the forest is exploring and discovering hidden gems, and that's just what we did.

The younger children worked very hard to keep up with the big guys, and they made a valiant effort, because the big guys found something awesome!

Of course sticks picked up along the way are always part of the trip!

Also part of the exploration is discovering new things and being curious about these new things.

This tree was COVERED with fungus. I don't know who was more interested, me or the children.

At the end of the path that we explored was a little wooden bridge, underneath we found a little stream.

Climbing over those fallen logs proved a challenge for the smaller children. Of course part of the reason I love exploring the forest with the children, is that it helps them to be aware of the uneven ground, and develops their gross motor muscles without them even knowing it! This is a weekly trip for us, so I foresee the younger children leaping over the fallen logs before too long.

A little further down the stream was a lush green area, also accompanied by a bridge, and some natural 'waterfalls'. 

This forest is home to so much potential, and experiences!