Forcing Bulbs

One winter activity I always look forward to doing is forcing bulbs. I remember my mother always did this every winter, probably around February or March when spring seems so far away here in the northeast. I tend to buy the bulbs (in this case paperwhites) when I see them in the stores in the fall because whenever I try to find them when I actually need them, they can't be found.

This simple activity was enjoyed by everyone. I didn't have any small rocks or gravel so we used what I could find from around the house. I need to get a forcing vase someday.

There was much interest in the skin of the bulb and the bulb itself. I noticed a lot of examining of the roots and pointed tip. Bulbs are great because the size is so large it can easily be seen and felt by small hands.

These should take 4- 6 weeks. So we get a little lesson in patience too.

We will have to keep an eye on the water level and make sure the roots are in water. Checking on them frequently to make sure they have enough water will also help us observe their growth and changes regularly.

Creating Miniatures From Nature

On our craft day we created a couple of miniatures for play using natural objects including sticks, field grass and walnuts.

First we made a broom. We used the long thick field grass that can be seen sticking up through the snowy field outside, for the bristles of the broom. We tied them around a thin stick using embroidery thread. We then slide the bristles off the stick, added a little glue and slide the them back on.

We made one broom for the farm and one broom for the rabbit family who lives in the dollhouse. (And yes, she wears that creation on her head most of the time too!)

We also used a collection of walnut shells (I leave a basket on the toy shelf for play too), to make little baskets or buckets.

To make these, I first removed any sharp pieces from inside the shell. I then drilled two holes on the sides of the shell (drilling from the inside-out). Next, we braided embroidery thread and we tied them onto the shells.

They are currently being used at the farm for carrying, feeding, holding water (blue roving) and as egg baskets.

These little eggs were made by my daughter with modeling beeswax. Both daughters have really been enjoying playing with their miniature creations.

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Nature Walk :: December

We often go for walks, I just usually don't think to bring my camera. On this day, I did, and was able to capture some of the magical and exciting aspects of a winter's day nature walk through the woods. For little ones, the snow provides an abundance of clues and evidence about life in nature that often goes unseen. It is magical to spot these clues and leaves a sense of wonder and awe about the animals and the places they live.


Passing through the meadow we spot our Halloween Jack O Lanterns. They are still there shrunken, wrinkled and under the snow.



We find the first set of tracks. Deer- we think. My oldest daughter follows them and runs back excitedly. They led to the apple tree.




Swinging from low branches and climbing as high as possible, we take a few minutes to enjoy the wild apple trees.


Another track. We wonder what this is. It curves this way and that.



We follow it through the snow. Now we see where this little fellow was going.



Evidence of other walkers, we are not the only ones to enjoy a winter's walk.



Our favorite stand of old maple trees. We wonder what animals live inside this great tree as we notice it's trunk and branches that the leaves once covered.



The old tree is fun to climb and balance on. It's bumpy and knotted, with crevices and holes for the animals to use for shelter from the weather or a predator.



For now it seems empty... or at least quiet.



These tracks lead us in a straight line through the trees.



With the leaves and plants gone we notice things we never noticed before. Mushrooms, fungus, and moss.



We notice the sound of ice crunching and breaking under our boots. We stop to slide our feet on the ice and investigate the large pieces.



Bird tracks. We see lots of movement in these tracks and imagine the birds hopping in the snow. The tracks leave so many clues. Sometimes they are close together showing us movements that are slow. Sometimes they are further apart indicating a larger animal or an animal moving quickly.



We've sledding down hills, walked and been pulled in the sled. We notice our own tracks as we head home. The wonderful part is that each time we head out into the woods there is something new and magical to be found. New tracks, new clues, new discoveries to be made.

Natural Playground Photos

This weekend we visited the playground. Here are some pictures of our public elementary school playground. In the past two years they have been working at changing it over to a natural playground.


Bench or balance beam



There are two of these little play houses.



Boulders for climbing, and slides.



A waterway sits on a slope and draining water constantly flows through.



Music area



Seating and "stage"





The Treehouse





Labyrinth and swings for younger children




Climbing Wall




Slide for younger children



Sand play

A little info about natural playgrounds:

Natural playgrounds are very different from traditional playgrounds for a few reasons. Traditional playgrounds emphasize active, or 'gross motor' play using large and more expensive equipment. They also have moving parts and tall structures. Aside from the aesthetic beauty of a natural playground, natural playgrounds focus on creating a space to emphasize social play (pretending) and constructive play (building). It is said that children use more imagination with the use of a natural playground as well as being able to experience the sights, smells, textures, and sounds that come from a natural environment. Children in a natural playground are exposed to native plants and trees as well as sand and water. Part of the reason for the growing interest in natural playgrounds comes from the lack of interaction children now have with nature and the natural environment. If you haven't already, check out the book Last Child in the Woods or the short webcast from by author Richard Louv on the side of this blog.