Toddlers: Nature Crafts and Play

Nature and the outdoors provide a wealth of fun learning opportunities. Create a garden with your grandchildren, go on nature walks, or examine the evening stars. Fanciful bumblebees can be made out of rocks, while local wildlife will devour your homemade feast. No matter what you do, venturing beyond the walkway is the path to lasting memories.

Materials:
• Flat rocks (clean and dry)
• Craft paint in colors of your choice
• Yellow paint for the head area
• Wiggle eyes
• Permanent black marker
• Craft glue

Start the activity with a bumblebee rock hunt. After the rocks are selected, have your grandchild wash and dry them. Use the permanent marker to make the head section and mark stripes. Use paint to color in between the stripes. Black and yellow may be what real bumblebees look like, but toddlers should be urged to use their imagination and create bumblebees of any color combination. When the paint is dry, glue on the eyes.

PINECONE BIRD TREAT

Materials
• One pinecone
• Narrow ribbon or string
• Peanut butter
• Birdseed
• Butter knife or spoon

Fasten a ribbon or string under the ridges around the top of the pinecone. Knot it with enough ribbon left for hanging. Next, have your grandchild spread peanut butter all over the pinecone, then roll it in birdseed. Hang it outdoors and watch the birds and other backyard creatures enjoy a tasty treat.

Flashlight Stroll
Take an unhurried evening stroll around the neighborhood with flashlights and marvel at the sights and sounds of the night. Bring a bug-catcher or jar to collect any interesting insect finds. Take time to let your grandchildren observe how bugs are attracted to streetlights and be sure to explain why. (Do your homework in advance!) Listen to the sounds of crickets and dogs, cars driving by, and other nighttime noises. Make sure to do another flashlight stroll in a different season and compare notes.