“Outdoor Activities for the Whole Family”

With the flowers of Spring beginning to make their long awaited appearance, it seems as if good weather is finally here. If you’re like my wife and me, you are excited about being able to take your young children, who have been suffering from cabin fever, out of the home and into the wilderness…of our back yard. Brennan and Alena Rose love running around, kicking their rubber balls, and going down their slide. However, one must ask how long their enthusiasm will last? What are we going to do when they tire of the same old outdoor activities? Luckily for us and many other parents, the Columbus Public Library has a wonderful selection of outdoor activity and game books jam-packed with great fun and adventure.

Tools have always fascinated young children, especially boys who are captivated with Bob the Builder. A great outdoor activity that incorporates basic tools is making bird houses. This project not only allows children to sharpen their skills with various pieces of equipment, but also teaches them how to promote backyard wildlife. “Making Your Own Bird-Houses & Feeders” by Robyn Haus is brimming with wonderfully simple bird-house plans that are simple enough for even the youngest member of the family. In addition, this book provides readers with tips on how to attract various types of birds like cardinals, doves, finches, wrens, and hummingbirds

“Projects for Spring” by Celia McInnes is another great text parents can use to find fun and entertaining outdoor activities. The project on page 12 involves casting animal tracks. We are very lucky to live in a state that has an abundant wildlife population like deer, foxes, bobcats, beavers, rabbits, raccoons, and squirrels. Each of these unique species not only has different habits, but also footprints or tracks they leave behind. McInnes recommends taking children track hunting and allowing them to make plaster casts of the most interesting footprints they find. This is an activity that even toddlers can do because it is very simple. All parents need to do is help their children mix the plaster recipes provided by the text, pour the mixture onto the footprint, and…wait. Within minutes children have an interesting conversation piece they can take to school, a friend’s house, or Grandma and Grandpa’s.

With technology playing such a big part in our lives, parents can incorporate it in fun outdoor projects with their children. My son loves taking pictures with our digital camera. We often take him outside and let him snap a few shots. “The Kid’s Guide to Digital Photography” by Jenni Bidner and “Digital Photo Magic” by Alan Buckingham are overflowing with advice and ideas that parents can use to help their little outdoors-men meet their full artistic potential. This book provides readers with advice on what settings to use, how to zoom in on what is being photographed, and how to liven up a picture by incorporating high tech graphics.

Other books filled with great outdoor activities include “Fabulous Paper Gliders” by Norman Schmidt, “Mudworks” by Maryann Kohn, “Nature Crafts for Kids” by Gwen Diehn, “The Book of Games for Home, School, and Playground” by William Forbush, and “Games for Boys and Girls” by E. O. Harbin. These titles are sure to provide parents and their children with hours of fun. Parents, don’t forget about Columbus Public Library’s Parenting Shelf, located in the Children’s Room. This great resource also contains books that are sure to offer numerous ideas you can do with your little ones as well.

The next time you are looking for great outdoor activities to do with your children, take a field trip to the Columbus Public Library and check out the wonderful collection of activity books we have available. You will not be disappointed! If you have any questions regarding the many titles mentioned or would like to know about other great titles, contact me at 564-7116 opt. 4.