I’ve always thought of spring, summer, and fall as the big outdoor learning seasons, but WOW, my kids have proven me wrong this winter! I love watching them learn and explore outside, no matter the weather!
Our snow had been rained away and the new snow wasn’t sticking, but there were two inches of solid ice in the top of our sandbox (which had blown off in a big windstorm earlier in the week. The kids figured out how to get the ice out (without getting absolutely drenched in ice water), and then set off breaking the chunks into smaller pieces:
Small enough for even Lily to pick up and carry about:
Emma found an empty planter box, which she brought over:
And all three kids filled the container with chunks of ice, discussing textures and lines in the ice as they did so!
With three kiddos big enough to bundle up and play outside, no mountains of snow too high to climb in, and Lily finally adding boots to her snow attire, I’m loving this winter!!!
What have you been learning about? Please link up any fun, creative, exploratory learning activities below (button code is in the sidebar)! Last week I loved this puppy sculpture and this description of teaching kids history. I’ll be referring to this post on tree bark for our springtime walks, and looking here for outdoor play kitchen inspiration!
I love how they are enjoying playing outside so much.
Visit Ticia … History: Fountain of Youth
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maryanne Reply:
January 23rd, 2012 at 10:11 am
Me too! It’s awesome!
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We set a glass of water outside and watched it turn into ice. Then we brought it in to watch it melt. I don’t know how much of it Ingrid “got” but we talked a lot about it!! Something had to stick, right?
Visit Amber Liddle … Life Pictures
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maryanne Reply:
January 23rd, 2012 at 10:11 am
I’m sure it stuck a little – this morning on the way to school Emma was asking to freeze a bowl of water outside. So I guess we’ll be doing that this afternoon!
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Looks like they enjoyed their ice exploring.
My boys did the same thing last year. They are still waiting on the snow to come here. :) I’ll be looking at all those links too!
Have a great monday!!
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maryanne Reply:
January 23rd, 2012 at 5:47 pm
Last year we had SO much snow they could barely move in it! This year has been perfect!
Hope your boys get their snow soon =)
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This looks like fun! JDaniel loves to play with ice!
Visit JDaniel4s Mom … Muffin Tin Monday- Happy Chinese New Year!
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Reminds me of fun times from my childhood. :)
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Wrapping up warm and playing outside in the winter is great and they look so busy playing with the ice! Also thanks so much for offering to co-host the All Year Round Blog Carnival, I’m so pleased you’d like to hold the carnival at Mama Smiles too. We’ve just about to go out now but I’ll email later today about arranging it. :)
Visit sunnymama … Favourite websites for young children
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maryanne Reply:
January 23rd, 2012 at 10:48 am
Hooray! Thrilled to co-host with you =)
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Funny – our snow stuck and we have about six inches on the ground.
My kids love to play with ice and they love to bring snow inside the house!
Visit Christy … Chinese New Year – dragon snack and craft
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maryanne Reply:
January 23rd, 2012 at 10:50 am
How funny! We did get more over the weekend – we have three, maybe four inches now.
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It’s awesome that you have such outdoorsy kids. It probably helps you right now when you need more rest.
Visit Natalie … Chinese New Year Baking
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What a fabulous time your kids had outdoors!! I find that kids often play better together when outside, and it looks like your kids were enjoying the activity and each other’s company.
Visit Rebekah @ The Golden Gleam … Joy in Minutes on Monday #3
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I agree that when they are old enough to go outside by themselves it is SOOOOOO NICE! My kids are at the point that they can go to the park around the corner on their own, so awesome for us all.
My oldest loves science and made some goo and volcanoes 2 days ago. She’s such a whiz with that kind of stuff.
Visit Marie@feedingfive … Believe
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Ice is so fun to explore! Looks like your kiddos had a fabulous time all bundled up, moving, exploring, working together & problem solving! Wonderful!
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People miss so much when they stay inside all winter. But then, a cup of hot tea does sound nice…
Visit momandkiddo … Mom’s Bookshelf, Vol. 5
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what a fun time they had! We should put some stuff out (it’d freeze pretty quick!). My daughter has proved me wrong too! She LOVES to be outside in the snow and cold!
Visit The Iowa Farmer’s Wife … Build-A-Snowman Muffin Tin Monday
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It looks like they had a lot of fun!
Visit Cascia … Jump Start to General Fitness & Good Health
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What a fun learning opportunity! Amazing they got the ice out without getting drenched!
Visit Jen … it was calculated :: risk
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That looks like so much fun! I think the very best times in life are when kids are able to just be out in nature, exploring and doing their own thing. They’re so easily amused and fascinated by things like ice, and it is great that you encourage this! :D
Visit Angel Read … One Of My New Little Friends
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Ice is fun – we had lots of icicles! Love the photos and the colors and love the picture of Emma with the planter – great one!
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Hurrah for Lily being fully winterized! :) Love it that they are enjoying the cold and learning lots at the same time.
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Your kids are such great explorers! It looks like you have a fun back yard to explore too. :)
Visit Grumpy Grateful Mom … Wacky White Wonders
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maryanne Reply:
January 24th, 2012 at 7:59 am
Our yard is awesome!
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Looks like they are having a great time! I hate the cold. How about a nice inside activity?
Sandy
Visit momof12 … No Time for January Blues
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I LOVE your kids sense of adventure!
They embrace every moment!
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