Fun Friday activities are quick-and-simple ways to explore nature in your own backyard.
THE IDEA
Take the crayons and paper outside to color with a little inspiration from nature.
The little explorer – at age 2, at least – is a huge fan of crayons and loves an opportunity to get his drawing game on. And the big explorer doesn’t mind creating his own masterpieces, either. So I figured it might be fun to pack up our crayons and paper and head outdoors to see what kind of inspiration the kids might take from nature.
OUR NOTES FROM THE FIELD
This past weekend we visited a seemingly unlikely place for nature play: the cemetery. We were there to enjoy dessert with my dad in honor of what would have been his 66th birthday. I knew the kids would love to draw him a picture to mark the occasion, so before we sat down to eat, we got down to coloring.
Luckily, my dad rests beneath this beautiful tree, a perfectly quiet spot to seek inspiration.
But there were plenty of other signs of nature all around, so we took a few minutes to explore. Of course there were flowers everywhere, like this overflowing bunch.
These bright red berries looked fun.
And this speedy pinwheel had my little guy in a tizzy!
After taking in the surroundings for ideas, the kids plopped down on a blanket and got to it.
They were quiet and content to color for quite a few minutes there under the shade of the tree and in one of the most serene spots imaginable.
The little explorer scribbled to his heart’s content, then took to lining the crayons up in some order only he could understand.
The big explorer usually creates pictures of cars (his main obsession), so I was moved to see he had in fact been inspired to create this picture of a rainbow just for grandpa.
This activity taught me two things: 1) nature is a wonderful place to seek creative inspiration, no matter how young you might be and 2) the cemetery can be a place of wonder and peace for little ones.
We left our finished pictures for grandpa. I’m sure he’s enjoying them.
TAKE-HOME TIPS
Whether your kids use crayons, markers, colored pencils or paintbrushes, all you need for this activity is some paper and a nice spot outside. For best results:
- Explore your surroundings first. This gives kids a chance to slow down and seek some inspiration from the little things, like a bee on a flower or a trail of ants.
- Opt for a bound notebook instead of loose paper, especially with younger kids. It’s much easier to keep pages from flying off in the wind and ensures you’ll have an ample supply of paper.
MORE IDEAS FOR OUTDOOR FUN
I’ve been meeting some wonderful new-to-me bloggers lately and am inspired by their wonderful ideas for outdoor play. I hope you will be, too! Here are some great ideas to get you exploring outside this weekend:
- Go tree climbing with Shannon from Backyard Mama
- Grow your own moss – Eren from The Magnifying Glass can show you how
- Make math connections in nature like Juliet at Creative Star Learning
- Take music play outside with Jenny at Progressive Early Childhood Education
- Create hot rocks just in time for Mother’s Day with help from Marghanita and her Little Humbugs
Here’s to a wonderful weekend full of nature play and new discoveries!
This post is just one of many dedicated to play over at the Childhood 101 “We Play” link up!
What a special way to bring your dad and kids together. Great tips for outdoor art time too. <br /> http://littlewondersdays.blogspot.com/
This brought tears to my eyes — what a wonderful way to remember your father with your boys!
So glad to find you! I'm desperate to recreate the 'outdoor' living I experienced as a child. Love the look of your blog.<br /><br />Love Kelly<br />beafunmum.com
What a special way to celebrate your father. Who would have thought that a cemetary could be such an inspiration place for young children. Usually people avoid taking young children there. Thank you for sharing
This is such a great idea. We totally agree that nature is a wonderful place to seek creative inspiration. Wanted to let you know that Active Kids Club and Polarn O. Pyret are collaborating to help inspire parents to start a playgroup here in the US. We're giving $75 to the organizer of each new outdoor playgroup. Perhaps an outdoor art playgroup is needed?
Marghanita, I'm hooked on taking art outside. So calm and peaceful no matter what nature setting you choose!<br /><br />Catherine, rubbings are a great idea — for headstones, trees, rocks, whatever!<br /><br />And yes, this activity was a great way to make a visit to the cemetery fun and interactive for the kiddos. Can't wait to try it again in our backyard or somewhere completely
That looks like a wonderful time, and a beautiful way to spend time with your dad.
What a beautiful way to spend time with your Dad.
What a lovely way to remember your father on his birthday. How great to see your big guy expand his drawing subjects. A wonderful rainbow!
I love that picture of the drawing, it’s just beautiful
Now that looks very calming 🙂
What a great idea! Possibly older children might like to take rubbings off the gravestones.
What a beautiful way to honor your fathers birthday. I love nothing better than working on my illustration outdoors. You can’t beat the outdoors for inspiration! Love it….What a great little artist!
Sherry, good for you for keeping your nature journals handy. I really need to get better about that!<br /><br />Nancy, have fun coloring! 🙂
I love this idea, especially the reminder to explore a little first to give the kids inspiration for their artwork. We’ll be taking our crayons outside this weekend. Thanks!
We always have our nature journals in the backpack–such a great way to relax in nature.