Mummyology

Those of us in the northern half of the world are just about to hit the crossover point between seasons (and boy, are most of us ready for it!) In the southern side of things, it’s just getting colder, but either way there are always things that indicate the change. Here are 5 things you can do outside this weekend with the kids that are free, fast, and fun!

1. Go on a walk, looking for signs of seasons changing.
Obviously, this is going to vary greatly from country to country.  Some things you might look for: Are there any robins out and singing? Any sign of the neighbourhood skunk? Can you see the spring flowers beginning to push up through the ground? Or are there any patches of grass starting to show through under the snow? Do you need to wear a sweater instead of a tshirt?

2. Stop and smell.
If you have small children, make sure you’re holding their hands before you do this one! Close your eyes. What can you smell that tells you a new season might be just around the corner?

3. Have a picnic!
Bundle the kids into their outdoor gear, make sure you have a thermos of hot tea or hot chocolate and a big washable blanket, and go eat outside in a sheltered spot. Leave the crumbs for the birds.

4. Bring the outside inside.
Gather a bin, go outside, and let the children choose some things to bring in and examine more closely. Depending on where you live, this could include things like tree buds, snow, icicles, grass, leaves, or worms. Let them get out the magnifying glass, the paper and crayons, or digging implements, and set them up on a washable floor.

5. See it through their eyes.
Hand them the camera and let them show you what’s visible at a kid’s level. You may be amazed at the photos you find when you pull them off the camera afterwards; some of our best photos have been taken by my kids. (The photo in the image above was taken by my 5 year old.)