Feed the worms...and your child's curiosity

Vermi-composting (composting with worms) is a great way to incorporate nature in your daily life. It can happen up to three times daily as you toss your kitchen vegetable and fruit scraps into the compost bin! Kids love worms and this can also provide a great biology lesson.

Save eggshells from your breakfast!

Can-o-worms

 I use a "Can-o-worms" which is a glorified giant tupperware container with several layers that you can rotate. You can also just get a large rubbermaid container, drill small holes, and cover these holes with pantyhose and duct tape. Something like this one, but you need it to be opaque: Rubbermaid 71 Quart Clever Store Non Latching Storage Bin FG3Q3400CBLUE - Pack of 4

 First, add shredded newspaper as your base (or old computer paper or unwanted kids' drawings/coloring book pages). This is a great way to teach recycling and reuse!

 Kids of all ages love shredding newspaper. Toss it in!

 Next, add in your vegetable scraps. In this picture, there is egg shells, sweet potato peels, and carrot peels. Egg shells add lime to your compost therefore reducing acidity-this creates a more productive compost (and less smelly one, too). Never add any bread, meat, or dairy.

 You can also use old egg shell cartons in place of the newspaper. You also need to throw in a little bit of soil to start your compost.

 And, you need a handful of red wiggler worms. These can be found at fishing tackle shops (call first to check that they have them) or wormwoman.com sells them. They MUST be red wiggler worms-they decompose garbage at a much faster rate.

Every kid loves handling worms!

 

You can also add some fun by having the kids cut-up the produce scraps you will be adding. If you are using peels and small pieces of veggies and fruit, you don't have to do a thing. But larger pieces, like apple cores and old lettuce need to be cut up into 1-2 inch pieces (you'll get faster and less smelly results this way).

Next, mix it all up. Then cover with more newspaper. Be sure your additions each day are covered with newspaper so you don't create fruit flies and smells.

Make your own wooden building blocks...out of the real deal!

Do you live in an urban area and see a lot of this after storms?

Or, maybe you live in a wooded area and have some dead tree limbs to remove from time to time, or need to trim a tree that has become overgrown.

But don't throw out that wood! Scavenge it for natural tree building blocks. Magic Cabin has some beautiful versions of these, but if you are the do-it-yourself type or simply aren't willing or able to shell out around $50 for a 32 piece set, you can make your own!

Be sure the wood you select is either dead and dry, or alive when you cut it. No rotting wood!

Use a hand saw or chain saw to cut off desirable chunks of wood.

 A chain saw will give you the fastest results, but a hand saw can be used to cut the chunks of wood off that you need. Pay special attention to saving the "joints" as they can be used to create fun stacking pieces. Don't worry about slicing them to the block size in this stage. Just cut the main chunks first, and toss, compost, or burn what you won't be using (campfire, anyone?)

A chainsaw was used to make this bigger cut.

Using a brace can make the cutting easier.

Now, this probably isn't the best example of safety here, my dad was helping me and has been known to injure himself. So, you may want to do this on a workbench or sturdy table if you have one. We didn't, so we used an old wine box. We tried to start slicing the big chunks into the  building block sized pieces with this hand saw, but it was taking forever. We decided to use a table saw instead. If you don't have one accessible (some places rent them), you can use a plain old hand saw, just use a sharp one. This one in this picture was a piece of junk!

 This is the "before" picture with all the chunks we are about to slice up.

Sand your chunks before slicing into thinner building blocks.

It is easier to sand the chunks first, while you have big pieces. You don't need to sand the bark all the way off as it is being done here. Minimally, smooth it so there are not any slivers or rough edges that kid fingers or mouths can get caught on. You can use plain sandpaper, too, it will just take you longer. But if you don't have an electric sander, it will work.

After sanding, cut the chunks into 3-4 inch thick pieces.

Finished product in action.

After you have the slices cut up, you are ready to play! If the wood you found was in an area with poison ivy, you will want to wipe everything down with rubbing alcohol to kill any oils. Also just disinfects.

Choosing branches of different levels of thickness and diameter will yield stacking variety.

If you saved some "joints" they make for interesting stacking tools.

Some of the bark was sanded off on some, we left some on others for  a variety of textures.

Kids love baskets and they look great, too.

Placing your finished product in some baskets will give the kids something to "fill and dump" and also to carry around. Having several baskets that they can fill and move around will add to the fun, too. But keep these away from your dog if you have one, mine loves to chew on them!

If you have wooden dolls, you can make a cafe table out of the blocks for them. You can also paint the alphabet letters on the blocks, too. Ideas are endless! It could also be fun to combine your own homemade blocks with a wooden, store-brought line that has colorful pieces like Haba USA 1160 Little Amsterdam Building Blocks. Haba is a line from Germany with all natural wood products, very well made.

Sensory Experience for Babies...with Seeds!

Whenever I see a bowl full of cherries, nuts, candy or any other homogenous object filled to the top of a bowl, I have the incredible urge to dig my hands into it! Think of the ball pits we used to play in as kids! 

Remembering this I thought it would be fun to do some kind of repetitive immersion for a baby. I had just came across some beautifully colored lentils and beans, so I thought they'd be fun to try out. I started with setting up a large bedsheet (to catch mess), cookie trays (too heavy for baby to dump), shallow dishes (holds a decent amount but not too much that it makes a crazy mess when baby dumps them out), and a selection of colorful, tiny, and nice feeling seeds. I also put my boppy pillow behind her so she didn't fall backwards, which still happens at 7 months to us! Wesco 1432 Polyester and Cotton Fabric Best Value Boppy - Small

Seeds used here from left to right: flax, red lentils, quinoa, french lentils and mung beans.

You might ask, aren't these choking hazards? The size of the seed is key. The seeds are too tiny to pose much of a problem should she put them in her mouth. Not that you should invite that as they are uncooked and would not be easy to digest if swallowed. But it would be pretty difficult for the baby to get too far with them if you are watching. Larger seeds like pinto beans, black-eyed peas rice, NO! They are too big and close to choking size. The seeds I used can be found at your local grocery store or health food store (Whole Foods if you have one).

Close-up of set up, pre-exploration

Let the games begin! Baby is winding up to grab, feel, and dump.

Emptying things is so much fun!

This little experience I set up is also a great opportunity for baby to practice filling and dumping (well, you're filling and she's dumping).

Having great fun moving seeds around.

The texture of these seeds are really nice. They also can make fun patterns!

 

Post-play. The mess isn't too bad.

The mess wasn't too unmanageable. I dumped the trays into a ziploc bag for later, folded sheet up and shook outside for birds to eat. Less than 5 minutes.

For older kids, you can have them make a design using lentils. I found this link to another mom's blog that showed this: http://craft-craft.net/fall-leaf-mosaics-with-lentils-tutorial.html

Someone also made a "Hello Kitty" out of lentils which was pretty impressive!
http://www.google.com/imgres?start=207&um=1&hl=en&client=firefox-a&rls=org.mozilla:en-US:official&biw=1440&bih=766&tbm=isch&tbnid=FwLDWYSx6z261M:&imgrefurl=http://www.cropart.com/suzannemears/002SMHelloKitty.htm&docid=npkuJLNZ_lH8tM&imgurl=http://www.cropart.com/suzannemears/images/SM05HelloKitty.png&w=500&h=403&ei=kAYFUNTrGY24qQHSvJHSCA&zoom=1&iact=rc&dur=379&sig=106899912053982960766&page=7&tbnh=131&tbnw=168&ndsp=36&ved=1t:429,r:26,s:207,i:210&tx=80&ty=111

I was hoping to find some links to traditional Indian art with lentils, but had no luck. If any readers have some links they know of, please share! Could be a fun cultural activity.

Kick the sand...Make some Mudpies, dirt pizza, and bug cupcakes in your backyard sandbox!

Remember making mudpies when you were little? Everyone loves playing with dirt! Here's how I did it in my backyard with minimal mess and easy clean-up. I got this great idea from the Garfield Park Conservatory's family programs (http://www.garfieldconservatory.org/families.htm), where they have large "dig pits" for kids to "play soil kitchen."

The "dirt"

You could use any soil you can get your hands on, but it's better to buy new for a number of reasons: there are not unknown insects, debris, or bacteria inside the soil. The soil you buy from Home Depot is sterilized. Natural soil you find out in your garden is fine that has been exposed to natural microrganisms, worms, etc. is fine as nature has taken care of the sterilizing. However, you may find large chunks of stuff that may not be good for babies. If you have an older kid, then go ahead!

I bought a bag of peat moss ($4-8) and regular old top soil ($1) the peat moss lightens your soil adds some larger particles to your soil so it doesn't get so muddy. Be sure to get plain topsoil with no fertilizers and other additives in it. In other words, when your kid pours a bunch of water in it, you don't have a mudpit. Peat moss also makes this soil mix easy to brush off (=easy clean up for Mom or Dad). Espoma 027043 Organic Peat Moss 8 Quart

Start with a sandbox...but throw out the sand!

This is a Step 2 Sandbox. It has a cover to it so it is easy clean up and set up. I got this used for $10. Why people have used sand for so long in their backyard sandboxes I don't know. Sand gets everywhere and really hurts when it gets in your eye. Plus it's harder to clean up, in my opinion.
"Naturally Playful Sandbox"

Add the topsoil and peat moss. Mix!

Mist!

Since peat moss can get dusty, add some water. Repeat as needed from time to time. The sun will bake it inside this sandbox with the cover on it.

Now add the fun.

I have placed a carpet sample inside for the baby to sit on. This is so she doesn't sink in the soil and has a sturdy surface to balance herself. And so she doesn't get soil in her diaper. I have put a inflatable toy behind her to block her head in case she falls. The sandbox is plastic, but it's much nicer to fall on a squishy toy. She is 7 months and is still mastering sitting.

Now add any old kitchen utensils you may have-muffin tins, cookie cutters, those funky copper colored tins people use for decorations, wooden spoons, pizza pans, cake pans, cups, etc. You can get these things really cheap at thrift stores, but you can find them online, too if you prefer not to hunt or don't have any extra to spare. 

Spoons for making dirt cakes.

Worried about the long handles of the spoons gagging your baby or young child? Saw off the end and sand by hand. Done in 5 minutes.

 Baby finds a clump of soil. Hmmm...interesting. This kind of "loose part" learning helps foster creativity, problem-solving skills, and inquisitive minds. Learn more about the benefits of letting kids play with "loose parts" at http://www.oxonplay.org.uk/#/loose-parts-for-play/4542808737.

You can add some fun by using old salt or herb shakers from the kitchen. Take off any small parts, and fill with soil. Watch it rain soil!

You can also add fun...and rain by incorporating a mister bottle. Mud pies, anyone?

When you're all done, put the toys inside and cover on! And go wipe and rinse your kid off! A good nap guaranteed afterwards! To make things extra fun for toddlers, you can put a play kitchen outside so they can "cook" their culinary masterpieces. Or, a pint-sized table will work as a countertop. You can also cut fresh herbs, leaves, and flowers from the garden to use as ingredients.

What do to with herbs if you have older kids....tying nature and reading together!

Herbs are a great play medium for all ages! Try this activity with your children 5 years old and up.  I got this great idea from the family programs at the Garfield Park Conservatory (http://www.garfieldconservatory.org/families.htm). The Conservatory has been doing this with all ages of kids for many years.

Supplies you'll need for this project

 In this project, we'll be making a cloth bookmark using an old bedsheet and common herbs (plus one pretty plant that is not an herb). All plants contain natural pigments inside their leaves, flowers, stems, etc. Where you see green chlorophyll is responsible for that color. I have chosen to use common garden herbs for this project, cilantro, oregano, and thyme. I have also added two leaves from a coleus plant for color (not an herb). If you want to invest a little more, a canvas paint dropcloth provides a sturdier medium to pound your plants on. It's a little harder to break through the fabric with this and gives the bookmark more weight. "4' x 15' Canvas Drop Cloth 58908"

1. Cut out desired size of bookmark. 

 The size you see here is 4 x 8 inches. Place selected plants on one half of the bookmark. It's important not to put too much (this is hard for kids not to do!) otherwise you will end up with a big green blobs of smooshed plants.

2. Fold cloth over in half, covering the plants. Hammer.

 It is important to tap lightly, but evenly. If you "whack" to hard, you will rip holes in the cloth and you won't be able to see the outlines of the leaves. Be sure to pound on a very hard surface, such as a cement floor or sidewalk.

3. As you tap, you will see the pigments of the plants come through.

4. Unfold bookmark.

5. Peel off debris.

6. Cut small slit at top, tie on ribbon. Place in a book!

You may wonder about the safety of using a large hammer with children. I used a regular size hammer here, but many hardware stores have very light 9 oz. hammer available. They are more petite and lighter for small hands to wield.

This is a 9 oz. hammer. Perfect for little hands but is a real tool!

Rubber mallets will press the pigments out, but you won't see the details of the leaves. We've also tried filling old fill canisters with cement and using those, but again no details, just blobs of color. Proper instruction on how to use a hammer (don't raise higher than your elbow, do light taps) and adult supervision will prevent most accidents. If you are still concerned, you can wrap the sharp end of the hammer with cloth and rubberband it. Kids will love using a "real, grown-up tool" and this can help them build confidence, too.

You can also try doing this with weeds you can find out in the sidewalk crack. There are varieties of wild chamomile that work great in addition to dandelions (smear them to make yellow marks), grass, and lamb's quarters that work nice. This can be a nice "urban nature" twist on the project.

Lamb's Quarters, a common weed found in sidewalk cracks. The ornate and unique shaped leaves work great for this project.

"Street Chamomile" as I like to call it. This grows in my garden as a weed, but they can also be found in sidewalk cracks or vacant lots.

Happy pounding and reading!