Saturday, January 5, 2013

Get 'Em Outside! Winter Edition: Winter Scavenger Hunt




Sometimes it can be a challenge finding ways to connect youngsters to the outdoors during the winter months.  Often they're less than enthused about heading outside when it's chilly and that just makes their sedentary indoor activities that much more enticing.  Too often even the smallest tykes are drawn to spending just a bit too much time engaged in watching television or playing games on the family computer when Jack Frost come 'round to play. But, as any parent knows, it doesn't take long for the thrill of the holidays to wear off and for a serious case of cabin fever to set in. 

Being Home by Nature is excited to introduce its first kid's activity series "Get 'Em Outside! Winter Edition".  Throughout the upcoming weeks I'll introduce you to several fun, frugal, and easy to do winter nature activities to help you get your kiddos out of the house and having fun outdoors this winter.  The activities will be geared to kids aged 3 to 6 years old, but each is easily adaptable to a wide age range. Just remember to bundle up!  Coats, hats and gloves are a must!


The first activity of the series is a simple nature scavenger hunt geared to winter ecosystems.  This one might seem almost too simple, but keep an open mind!  The goal of this activity is just to get young children to slow down and take a closer look at the winter world around them and give them a few hints for what to look for.  After successfully finding a few of the items, you'll notice that most kids will just start looking for cool finds of their own.  Go for it!  See what you can find together.  Scavenger hunts can be adapted to any region of the country.  You can even adapt one to search for nature in inner cities!  Just think of clouds, leaves, and birds!  Have fun!

Tip:  Take a magnifying glass with you if you happen to have one...lots of winter treasures are also very tiny!



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31 comments:

  1. Cute idea! Too bad it is 7 degrees here in Utah. I can't wait til it warms up just enough to be able to venture outside for a little scavenger hunt!

    The Real McCoy(s)

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    1. You might be surprised! I took nearly 100 kindergarten aged kids ice fishing last year when it was -20 degrees outside...the grownups were the ones that had a tough go at it! The kids didn't even seem to feel the cold!

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  2. Great idea - my children would love a scavenger hunt!

    I would love to have you share this on Thursdays at Tasty Traditions: http://myculturedpalate.com/

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    1. Thank you! I would love to share this post with you this coming Thursday! Thanks for the invite!

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  3. I'm your newest follower via GFC and Twitter. Would love a follow back. Thanks!

    http://www.happykidsinc.blogspot.com

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    1. Thanks for the follow!!! I would love to follow you back...heading over to your site right now..

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  4. What a fun way to make memories. Happy New Year wishes and thank you for sharing at the hop. I hope you will stop by again soon. I posted the new giveaway! xo

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    1. Yay! I would love to share again, and thanks for the giveaway!

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  5. This is a neat idea! Im going to try it even though when its cold we are homebodies! Following you from the Blog Hop! You can find me at http://theresmagicoutthere.blogspot.com

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    1. Thanks for stopping by! I know it can take motivation to get moving outside in the winter, but I promise, once you actually get outside, you'll have a blast!

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  6. Hi Mary Beth, I’m Anne from Life on the Funny Farm (http://annesfunnyfarm.blogspot.com), and I’m visiting from Mom’s Monday Mingle.

    Wow, a nature scavenger hunt is a terrific idea! Gives them the perfect amount of focus to allow them a goal, while still letting them have fun.

    Anyway, thanks for posting this. If you’ve never visited yet, I hope you can pop by my blog sometime to say hi…

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    1. I would love to visit your blog. I'll head over there tonight!

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  7. Love this! Found you at project inspire :)
    http://oneorganicmama.blogspot.com/2013/01/healthy-yogurt-smoothie.html

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  8. Found you via the MNB Blog Hop! Love the design of your site and the winter scavenger hunt idea is a great one...I'm going to have to put that to use!

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    1. Thanks for stopping by! Let me know how it works out for you :o)

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  9. Aloha Sweets,

    Stopping in to say hi and follow you from the Monday Mingle. What a great series and wonderful resource for parents this winter. love this idea.

    If you're up for a bit of a ride, come join me at Local Sugar Hawaii . We're riding this silly little wave called life, together. You're welcome. Anytime.

    Cheers,
    Nicole
    localsugarhawaii.com

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  10. Great idea! I would love to have you share this tomorrow on the Winter on the HomeAcre Hop!
    http://www.theselfsufficienthomeacre.com/2013/01/winter-on-the-homeacre-hop.html

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    1. I would love to share this post on the Winter on the HomeAcre Hop! I've got it on my calendar now :o)

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    2. Thanks for sharing on the Winter HomeAcre Hop!
      I would love to have you share this on my regular hop... The HomeAcre Hop!
      http://www.theselfsufficienthomeacre.com/2013/01/the-homeacre-hop-3.html

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  11. Great idea! Nice to meet you through Life and Everything Else. If you can, link this idea with me on Family Fun Friday at http://happyandblessedhome.com. I'm sure my mommy readers would love to read it!

    Monica

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    1. Thanks! I would love to share this post with your readers on the Family Fun Friday hop! Thanks so much for the invite!

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  12. Greta idea!!! I would love for to share this with us at Eco-Kids Tuesday Link-Up! http://likemamalikedaughter.blogspot.com/2013/01/eco-kids-tuesday-link-up-and-green-pops.html

    I am now following you!

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    1. Thanks for the invite! I would love to join you on the Eco-Kids Tuesday Link-Up! I'll head there now ;o)

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  13. Hi! Stopping by from Naptime Review blog hop and excited to be a new follower! I have a new Social Media Linky party that started today, I would love to have you link up!!
    http://www.thetaylor-house.com/2013/01/08/keep-calm-party-on-social-media-linky-party-1.html

    Thanks!
    Chrissy

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  14. This is such a cool idea! It can be so hard to convince myself to get them outside when it's crazy cold like this....but it's still so important! Thanks for motivating me and giving us a fun activity!

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  15.  Hi, great post. I found you through the blog hop. Please stop  by and say hi when you get a chance.  .Be sure and check out my new Blog Hop that started. It's Weekly Goals Link Up. It's a great way to stay on track. Have a great day. :) Now following you. 


    Here's the link for it if you would like to check it out.
    http://lenettacarnes.blogspot.com/2013/01/weekly-goals-linkup-1.html

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  16. Great idea, and I love the photo! Good find. :) My daughter frequently asks for a "scabinger" hunt and would completely approve your post. Thanks!

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  17. What a fun way to get the kids off the couch and away from those electronic games they are addicted to! I'm talking about my grandkids...they bring these with them when they visit. Next time I'll tell their parents to bring warm clothing 'cause we're going on a scavenger hunt! Thanks for the idea!
    Saw you sharing at My Turn's Freedom Fridays
    Debbie :)

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  18. Hello, new friend! Mary Beth, I saw you linked up your site on the Deep Roots at Home page, and I am so glad to ‘meet’ you. I LOVE what you are doing here on your blog and hope we can follow each other to be a mutual blessing in the Lord ~ It is so much fun and encouraging to get to ‘know’ new like-minded gals! Grace and peace…

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  19. Very fun idea! Thank you for sharing with the Clever Chicks Blog Hop this week; I hope you’ll join us again!

    Cheers,
    Kathy Shea Mormino
    The Chicken Chick
    http://www.The-Chicken-Chick.com

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  20. Ug!!!! Your post is timely and the swift kick I deserve...um, need. :-) I sooooo do NOT want to go out in this nastiness. COLD wet, drenching weather (We live North of Seattle, yucky wet, every day, almost always dark... what a whiner, I know! However, I agree, you are soooo correct - it's really important to get us all outside for so many reasons. Thank you for this post. I *just may* do this! (Not promising! lol!) :-)

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