outdoor play link up - discovering animal homes

When you have weather like this in January it is not a choir to get outside! Mid-40s and sunny is crazy weather for Wisconsin and I have to say that I am really starting to get mad that we don't have cold temps and tons of snow!! Where is winter?

But since it is warm we are getting lots of outdoor play time. Today we explored around our own backyard to see what our local wildlife has been up to.

Lots of fun holes to find and explore.

 

Our compost heap makes a great place for wildlife to hide out, find food and an even better place for us to explore!

And then there was some tree climbing! I mean how else can you see if the birds are at home?

A great outdoor play morning! Even with sick kids!!

This weeks' feature!

I was super excited when I saw this post on Exploring the Outdoor Classroom because I have been wanting to collect some snow play ideas, just in case winter ever actually arrives! And then I was so amused to see that her snow play idea didn't involve snow at all!! So very clever! Check out snowball target practice.

 

Super simple idea but what a fun game to have up in the preschool outdoor play area. Thanks so much for linking this up and sharing!

Comments

[verdemama]

I haven't linked up for a while, but wanted to join in. We explored the land just beyond our backyard with a hike down the valley. My girls love tree climbing too.

[Kristin]

Thanks for the feature! We did have "snow" much fun with the Snow Targets! I have to give credit to the snow play area at the Legoland theme park in California for that idea, though ;-). Mine wasn't as fancy as theirs, but it sure was fun! LOL

[Abbie]

My daughter has recently become more hesitant about tree climbing because she doesn't like the sap. Have you run into that with your kiddos? She now wears a hat when she climbs to keep it out of her hair but I can't figure out how to keep it off her hands and still have her able to hold on and climb well. The only tree we have in our yard that is good for climbing is a big spruce.
Thanks so much for joining the link up! It is so fun to see so much great outdoor play.

[Abbie]

I think I am going to be stealing your idea (or Legolands idea!) again at the end of the month. I am teaching a workshop on snowplay ("More Than Just Sledding and Snowmen") at schools; I think some kind of target practice to allow kids to still throw snowballs but not having the issues of snowball fights is great! I will certainly give you credit and share your blog at the presentation!
Thanks!