This has been quite a momentous week. Not just because we now know who is in the semi final for The Great British Sewing Bee (poor David - so near and yet so far) but also because my new book was officially published.
It is borne of years of persuading my kids to join me in the garden. And no, it's not just about gardening (although you know me - I've managed to slip in everything from home brewed plant tonics and edible flowers, to mini rockeries and pumpkin autographs). This is because I think we can't sell pure gardening to kids before we've sold them on something bigger - being outside.
So this is my attempt to stop every child in their tracks the moment they utter that knee jerk phrase "but there's nothing to do outside", because do you know what? There is SO much to do outside. In fact I give you.... 101 Things For Kids To Do Outside (with the odd link to the original inspiration):
1. Weave a bird's nest
2. Take the matchbox challenge
3. Plant an alpine colander
4. Learn semaphore
5. Weave a twig fence
6. Set up a potion lab
7. Grow a potato tower
8. Hold a scavenger hunt
9. Build a mini rockery
10. Play skipping games
11. Plant a mobile herb garden
12. Make nature rubbings
13. Build a bird hide
14. Grow a rainbow salad wheel
15. Go on a bear hunt
16. Make a log walkway
17. Decorate the lawn
18. Plant a climbing bean wigwam
19. Brew your own plant food
20. Build a crawl tunnel
21. Harvest and dry herbs
22. Make a twig plant pot
23. Start a mini vegetable garden
24. Paint with water
25. Play tag games
26. Plant a lettuce ball
28. Make outdoor bunting
29. Grow and autograph a pumpkin
30. Play jingle jangle
31. Make new plants
32. Construct a water wall
33. Hold a mini Olympics
34. Make a butterfly feeder
35. Build a human sundial
36. Go crabbing
37. Create a paving stone gallery
38. Play splash
39. Sweep for bugs
40. Construct a stumpery
41. Cook with sun
42. Set up camp
43. Make a nature walk bracelet
44. Capture animal tracks
45. Play water balloon pinata
46. Sign with nature
47. Go pond dipping
48. Hold a ball battle
49. Do the laundry
50. Explore with an underwater viewer
51. Have a blindfold shootout
52. Paint outside
53. Play Arctic dress up
54. Make a sand ball run
55. Build a pitfall trap
56. Play cross step
57. Make flower fairies
58. Play human croquet
59. Weave a wreath
60. Make a wind clunk
61. Stage an open-air play
62. Play beach games
63. Build a mud pie kitchen
64. Make a weather vane
65. Play water balloon toss
66. Trail ants
68. Hold a snail race
70. Use a pooter
71. Hold your own flower and produce show
72. Spot moths
73. Create autumn leaf art
74. Plant a bulb bucket
75. Fly a homemade kite
76. Play the autumn treasure memory game
77. Watch worms work
78. Blow giant bubbles
79. Play torch tag
81. Make autumn crowns
82. Play sevensies
83. Make a rain gauge
84. Create your own nature exhibit
85. Host an outdoor Halloween feast
86. Take a penny hike
87. Enjoy a paper bug hunt
88. Go stargazing
89. Create wellie fashion
90. Catch autumn leaves
91. Balance stones
92. Play shark
93. Paint rocks that rock
94. Try French cricket
95. Build a snow lantern
96. Make a snow labyrinth
97. Create a mini igloo
98. Paint snow
99. Rustle up a bird feast
100. Make twig stars
101. Play sky spy
Fab! The kids can get in the queue - after reading your list, I want to go outside and do fun stuff! Use a pooter, haha! Love it! Err. What exactly is a pooter?
Posted by: Caro | March 29, 2014 at 06:33 PM
Thanks Caro. Ah yes - a pooter. It is not, as my husband thought, short for 'computer' but actually a container with tubes for safely collecting tiny insects. We make ours from old hummus pots and straws! It is also a rude word according to the urban dictionary but I know nothing of such things...
Posted by: Dawn | March 29, 2014 at 09:44 PM
Great list. Thank you for the inspiration!
Posted by: Cassie | April 12, 2014 at 10:09 PM
So great to meet you Dawn today at Cambridge University Botanical Garden. Francis (and me!) really enjoyed your fab workshop today, making pooters and decorating plant pots (twice)! We got it home safely! Keen to do more from your inspiring book! Thank you very much for a lovely day. :-D
Posted by: Elizabeth Reid | April 15, 2014 at 10:14 PM
Cassie - thanks so much
Elizabeth - lovely to meet you and Francis yesterday. Do let me know how you get on with the other 99 things! Best D
Posted by: Dawn | April 16, 2014 at 10:39 AM