Outdoor Play

Embrace the Mess with Sensory Play!

This week we’ve been embracing the mess. Because let’s face it—our littles are messy—and that’s one of the best parts of play.

One of the best ways to embrace the mess is through sensory play! When little ones explore their senses, they often make a mess—with paint, water, dirt, or whatever other materials they’re using—but they also learn some powerful stuff.

At Home Activity: Nature Prints

Running out of ways to play outside? Today’s activity gives you and your kiddos another reason to be outdoors—and has the added bonus of encouraging them to deeply inspect the grooves and veins of leaves, petals, and other parts of nature.

At Home Activity: Upcycled Bird Feeders

Is anyone else going through groceries like never before? Staying at home means more meals at home, and more meals at home means more empty containers.

That’s where today’s at-home activity comes in. It shows how you and your littles can take an empty milk carton, egg carton, or even a clean takeout container and create a bird feeder. From there, your little ones can be in charge of refilling the feeder and keeping track of which birds visit it.

At Home Activity: Chalk Painting

We’re taking #chalkthewalk to a whole new level.

This at home art activity for kids comes from Chicago Children’s Museum Lead Arts Educator Liz Rosenberg (@lizziemaerose on Instagram). Follow along as Liz brings our Art Studio to you, and share your pics of what you create with us!

At Home Activity: 2-Square to the Rescue

In the midst of a global pandemic, one must find a glimmer of happiness wherever it may emerge. For me, it comes in the form of four specific words from my 9-year-old daughter, often uttered with colossal enthusiasm:

“LET’S PLAY 2-SQUARE!”