The current context prompts us to reconsider our activities this summer. Getting back to basics, rethinking our vacations to rediscover life simply in our yard and around. So, to help you with your summer planning, I am sharing with you some ideas for activities tested and approved by my children. Warning! These ideas will save you time and money since they don't come true with much, other than a little creativity and a recycling bin!
IN THE GARDEN
Do you like to DIY? Build an insect hotel with old boards, branches, wooden pallets, etc. After awhile, observe the life there! Wild bees, like other pollinators, lack sites to breed in urban settings. The hotel, also known as the insect nest, is an ally for the survival of beneficial insects. here are some pictures who can inspire you on the subject!
I also offer you a little bedside reading about biodiversity. This brochure that I designed for the City of Lorraine inspired me with the activity of the insect hotel!
IN THE BWA
Going to the forest or to a wooded area near the house for a “seek and find” is always a winner! You can simply make a list of several things to find on one sheet or print the one I designed for you!
Download our search and find nature here! (PDF 1,8mb)
Take advantage of this moment in the woods to collect specimens in order to make a brico nature during rainy days, or build an insect hotel! My boy was having fun the other day with his friend; they were preparing a playpen for the caterpillars with a wooden pallet, chalk and a little string. They also treated "sick" caterpillars by making remedies in small pots of yogurt taken from the recycling bin. They played for hours, it was magic! It's crazy the imagination they have when we say no to screens!
TO THE BEACH
Always bring a shovel when making roads and tunnels in the sand. We take out the trucks and we make a boat with a bottle found in the recycling. Find a small portable shovel; it will be perfect for digging!
IN VISIT, IN CAMPSITE
A very simple activity that does not require carrying around a lot of equipment. For example, use pieces of planks, a recycling bin and a rake to mark out a route, run cars and build a tunnel. Create small garages with concrete planks and blocks lying behind the shed. What could be better than ending the day in front of a good fire, bundled up in your hoodie prefer? Of course you know the s'mores, but any other fire recipe is also a hit with children! Have you ever tried the camper's bread ?
photo: Marie-Ève Nagant
RAINY DAY
I'm not teaching you anything: rainy days are made for watching movies, sticking together, tinker , make muffins, play board games, color a Post card to send to granny. Also consider building a cabin or pitching the tent for camping in the living room; it's perfect for reading time (and maybe even a nap!). After the rain, don't forget to put on your water boots and go for a walk in the puddles :)
photo: Mylène Dupré
Other ideas in burst :
- Build a mini-shelter for chipmunks: children love to create small worlds and observe animals.
- Document a herbarium, a bird watching book, catch non-threatening insects with a net in order to look at them more closely.
- Make a bird bath using a saucer for flowerpot and educate your mini to change the water regularly in order to prevent bacteria from developing or the water being too hot (allows birds and for small mammals to wash and drink, especially in times of heat wave or drought).
- Place objects on the floor in a space to pretend the floor is lava.
- Hide items in the house and then close the lights and blinds, bring a flashlight or a headlamp and do "prospecting".
- Make simple routes with the objects found in the yard.
- Pick up leaves, small branches, stones and more during a walk to make footprints in plasticine or clay.
- Arrange toys of all kinds on a large piece of paper and draw the shadow of these objects at several times during the day.
photo: Mylène Dupré
In all simplicity, there is always a way to have fun. It is often said that boredom is a springboard to creativity. Do you have any other ideas? Share them with us; they could be found in a future publication!
Good summer!
Simply...
Jacinthe Plamondon
MOTHER of BWA & Founder PEAKBWA
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