Enjoy A Playground all Year Long, Part 2

 

 Make nature a part of playground fun:

* Today’s article was written by Meagan Deacon... it was a bit long so I've split it into a few parts... today is part 1.   Megan invites our readers to check out ParknPool - the leading online supplier of commercial grade site amenities and furnishings such as picnic tables, park benches, trash receptacles, drinking fountains, bleachers and playgrounds. It is important to us that all kids and adults spend as much time in the outdoors as possible. For more information visit  http://www.parknpool.com.
Part 1 published September 17^th http://consciousdiscussions.blogspot.com/2015/09/enjoy-playground-all-year-long-part-1.html



There are many ways to encourage children to take notice of nature and get active as well, here are a few ideas:

• Bird Watching: Between sparrows, blue jays, cardinals, woodpeckers, hummingbirds, and all the rest, this is quite a show for kids to enjoy. Consider bringing a few pairs of binoculars outside with a bird guide and see how many various feathered friends you can identify. You can make a game of it and see who among the children can spot and identify the most birds.

• Leaf Finding: Similar to bird watching, you can teach kids about the various leaves and trees found in the woods around the playground. While not all leaves should be handled, you can show children the safe ones and see how many they can collect throughout the area. Afterward, consider placing these leaves in a journal for the kids to hold on to.

• Plant a Tree: The world is always in need of more trees, and if there's a suitable and fertile patch of land available for you, consider planting a special tree with the kids. They can work together to dig the hole and move a young tree into position. Then, through watering, fertilizing and special care, the tree can become a permanent playground fixture.

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