Summer at Wellfield

We always enjoy visiting Wellfield Botanical Garden. During a recent summer we had a wonderful visit. The plants were abuzz with pollinators! 

They had a kids' activity to explore WORMS when we visited! We explored a compost bin. We used worms to paint with mud. 

 

We explored composting and what happens to leaf litter and animal poop. We could look at the leaf litter up close!

We explored different types of soil components, like clay, sand, etc. We also used tools like these magnifiers to explore what is there. The composter and magnifier are tools we have in our house, as well. 

We went on a scavenger hunt around the water as well. We explored so much! 

We explored plants, such as milkweed and redbuds. If you haven't smelled milkweed, you should! 

We even found an oak apple gall! 

It was fun to see all the vertical gardens as well!

These will fill in soon! 

There are spectacular detail and views throughout the gardens!

Nature Preschool Invitations

Late last spring, I went to the Northern Illinois Nature Preschool Associations's Summit. I loved how they had hands on activities set up for us to explore. I find this is crucial to trying things out with children on our own terms as we have had first hand experience with it already. There was a slight drizzle outside, but many options to explore!  Spaces were set up to try various activities. The signs shared why we might try these and what we can expect to learn or experience through the activity.

We love painting with rubber worms mud, too! Such a tactile experience! This is colored mud. We found worms like this at the Dollar Tree around Halloween one year. Other paintbrushes and such are also available, but using hands sounds great to me! 

These loose parts options were set out as well. I love the frames (we have many!), tools (like the magnifying glasses), sorting baskets, and STUFF (mostly natural!).

Tubes and acorns, tree blocks, branches, pinecones, and more! Loose parts books as well! 

The tent invited us to explore as well. It's a great way of creating a semi-private hiding space outside while still being able to supervise children.

I think this was the activity most inspiring to me--having real tools (with adults right there) available to make your own tree cookie necklaces. Clamps were used to hold the logs in place, the saw was used with an adult right there, a hand drill was used for holes.

I was in love with this hand drill! I had to get one for my birthday. I did find that the drill bit got really hot while in use. This tool is a great way to look at cause and effect, build wood working skills, and have a sense of independence. 

These mirrored invitations had corks on the edges for safety, as well as tape on the back to reinforce in case of breakage. Some make them out of acrylic mirrors as well. Baskets of natural items are nearby to explore. 

We could also explore reflection with those silver pouches snacks come in. They had a whole roll of the material that we could cut some off of. 

Kaleidoscopes could be made out of the reflective material or old CDs!

There were a variety of great books to examine as well!

I presented a session on loose parts play, with options to explore as well. I love the artwork of Take 'Em Outside as a springboard for creativity. 

Others made mandalas or created habitats. 

We also looked at reflective invitations.

Rachel Larimore was the keynote speaker--excellent! There were several great sessions, including time to collaborate as well. So great to see many people committed to providing and allowing for nature play and exploration with younger children. Some vendors included Hitchcock Design group. They create beautiful outdoor play spaces, including the one at Morton Arboretum. Tuffo Muddy Buddies were also available to see up close, making it easier to get outside on rainy days. 

I love Kodo Kids and their materials for sale. It's always nice to see their materials up close. 

We also toured the Children's Garden at the Arboretum. It was excellent! 

Kodo Kids Wind Tunnel

This spring we finally got one of the Kodo Kids Wind Tunnels. Have you seen these? Whenever we go to children's or science museums, like the Thinkery, we find ourselves drawn to the wind tunnels! We are engaged in the process, investigating, hypothesizing, experimenting, and more.

I found many plans online to make one of these, but couldn't locate a suitable plastic/plexiglass for the tunnel. If you have ideas for this, please let me know. I looked for quite some time, but only found 150 yards of it which was a little overkill for my needs. I have been drooling over the wind tunnels for quite some time, so finally bit the bullet and sprung for one. As they mention on their website, it's cheaper to get the fan from Amazon. I wanted the tunnel for a nature inspired tinkering program, but find we are using it in so many ways!


Just recently, one of the kids in nature preschool was curious about his superhero taking a ride on the wind! He tested it and realized it didn't work. Later he tested a rock. The wind didn't move it. We started thinking more . . .

 

We noticed the feathers went up so easily through the tube. Why not the toy superhero? We grabbed a scale to do some comparisons. He even tested out another toy with the scale. We never got close with the feathers!

We have used the tunnel for many activities, such as when we were doing nature inspired tinkering. One activity called for designing our own windburn seed. Children had a variety of seeds and materials such as sticky notes, tissue paper, feathers, straws, and more for their designs. Then they tested their designs to see how they worked.

We also had a Fairy Wings and Wild Things festival. We had supplies ready to make their own magical creatures

 

It's magical! The children love the cause and effect exploration of the tube. I like that it is easy to use, required minimal set up, is sturdy, can change the angle and speed of the wind, and is engaging! On the website they mention this would appropriate for classroom use. I found that is was great with small groups at a nature center or at my house.  

nature.play.dough

My name is Carson Gull. I am ten-years-old. I am making and selling natural play dough to earn money for a mission. I use the play dough recipe that my mom uses for nature preschool. I like playing outside with nature and climbing trees. Learn about local nature at www.insideoutsidemichiana.com, our family’s nature blog. 

I sell my products at Pop-Up Handicrafts at the Old Bag Factory in Goshen, IN, or you can send my mom an email at insideoutsidemichiana@gmail.com. Feel free to call me after school at (574)966-0250. I am happy to make special orders. 

I make seasonal loose parts kits and 9 oz. play dough options for families for $2.50 each. I can also make larger batches of 95-100 oz. for educators. The cost is $15/batch with a $3 discount for educators. Mention code "educator" when ordering.  

Larger batches of pumpkin spice and allspice play dough for the Early Learning Center in Granger, IN:

I also make animal tracks from Plaster of Paris. For a set of 16 animals (26 tracks total), the cost is $45 plus shipping. What a great way to learn about tracks!

A fall loose parts add on kit:

Find samples at Pop-Up Handicrafts in Goshen, IN:

I also sell rolling pins, natural tree blocks, etc. 

We made monsters at a craft day at Pop-Up Handicrafts:

A huge thank you to RAW Sustainable Living for loose parts donations!