Loose parts are found or natural objects that have no specific instructions for play and are highly valued for their imaginative and creative affordances for
Playdough is surprisingly entertaining for kids of all ages. Adding lavender playdough as a sensorial play opportunity in the school garden becomes a delightful way
Thank you to Rene Gualtieri for contributions to this post! Not A Stick Play Having worked at a nature camp, I am very aware of
Story stones for imaginative play Rocks and stones can be considered a “loose part”. That means they do not have a pre-determined story attached to
Earth-friendly Ice Art Learning and playing outdoors has multiple benefits for both children and adults. Teachers and caregivers looking for ways to get kids playing
The emergent curriculum is a valuable tool for student directed inquiry in any outdoor classroom. I often have specific plans for my students that are
Walking, working and playing in nature invites children’s imaginations to create stories that reflect their lived experiences, their wonders and their understandings of the world
A Seed Mandala Art Project Mandalas have a long history of therapeutic use and are often appreciated for having spiritual meaning. There is an enormous
International Mud Day is June 29th this year, and if you are going to have a garden with kids, it makes sense to have a
Fall is the perfect time to reflect on the growing season and have children work with the bounty of the garden and school-yard! Nature crafts
I teach in an outdoor classroom all year, in all weather, and in all seasons. In Canada. The most common question I get is “what
Planting with a theme in mind is a fun and engaging way to begin any garden project with kids. Over the years, I’ve planted several
In this workshop teachers, educational assistants, school councillors and other district personnel are invited to broaden their understanding of how a school garden can be used like any other classroom.
The hardest part of going back to school is the grind of packing lunches day after day, while ensuring something resembling a nutritious meal is
No spam, seasonal updates only.
Math is everywhere in the garden! In this workshop, participants will be introduced to hands-on, interactive, and joyful ways of naturally engaging children in mathematical thinking in the garden. Read more!
Did you know that by labelling your kid’s stuff, you are teaching them valuable pre-literacy skills? (This post contains affiliate links for your convenience!) Environmental print is a term used to describe
To support the families and teachers we work with in the outdoor classroom, we’ve put together this list of ideas for playful learning outdoors in May during Covid-19. You can
Butterflies are essential pollinator friends in our ecosystem that add to the biodiversity of any garden. When it comes to butterfly STEAM, this paper project is one of my favourites
Your information is safe. I will never share it with anyone
