Sturdy for Common Things

How to Make an Autumn Leaf Crown

Ahhh autumn. It’s the time of the year when the world is ablaze in rich colors of crimsons, golds, bronze, and brown. The trees in our neck of the wood turned late this year starting in October and continuing well into the end of November. After posting this picture of Lorelei wearing a leaf crown […]

Yellow Time + Autumn Color Hunt

“The wind blows yellow sideways, then up, then down. Everywhere fills with yellow. A symphony of yellow.” The leaves have finally started turning and it is aglow in gold here in Kansas. We’ve been reading Lauren Stringer’s new autumnal picture book Yellow Time (public library) on repeat, because like the characters in the story, we’ve been […]

Take a Sock Walk this Autumn for Seed Finding Fun

Fall is here. The leaves have started turning and animals are preparing for the upcoming winter season. Plants are at the end of their life cycle, scattering seeds whether it be by wind, water, or hitching a ride on an animal. It’s fun experience to see how seeds are scattered (sowed is the technical term) […]

Goodbye Summer, Hello Autumn + Flower Pressing Craft

It’s the last weekend of summer! With the official first day of autumn next week, it’s time to bask in summer’s last hurrah and send the season a fond farewell by reading the new picture book, Goodbye Summer, Hello Autumn by Kenard Pak (public library) about the transition of the seasons. After this fall-ish read, […]

Rain Fish: Rainy Day Play + Repurposed Art

On a rainy day, whether it be after a night of heavy thunderstorms or during a lingering drizzle, it’s the perfect time to spot rain fish at play. In this rhyming adventure of debris that can be spotted on rainy days, RAIN FISH by Lois Elhert (public library) is a lively story meshing art and […]

Building Natural Fairy Houses

Building fairy houses using natural materials found outside is an imaginative way for children to engage in the world outside their doorstep. You don’t have to go to the store or spend a penny for this ephemeral nature project– Fairy houses can be made in your yard, local park, on a beach, or in the […]

Chocolate Box Nature Collection

Don’t throw out those chocolate boxes just yet! After Valentine’s Day we found they make the perfect miniature cabinets of curiosities for young nature collectors. Full disclosure: I bought the boxes pictured in this post for myself, because Valentine treats to yourself is always a good idea. Also, chocolate. But what I didn’t count on […]

Connecting Children to Nature in the Library

  Please take a moment to head over to School Library Journal to check out the article “Children Are Being Connect to Nature Right in the Library”, which explores how public librarians are creating unique opportunities for their young patrons and families to develop a deeper connection with their environment. The environmental programs outlined in the article not […]

Sunflower Art + Activities for Kids

Where I live, summer’s final act is when thousands of suns burst into a glowing field seen from miles away. It is a sight. What was once a mythical sunflower field learned about only by word of mouth, now is a famous Eastern Kansas tourist destination.  Grinter Farms generously allows visitors to frequent their field and […]

Tree Identification for Kids: My Leaf Book

While walking to and from school, leaf collecting has become a daily hobby for my family. The bottom of the stroller is filled after only a few blocks with a variety of leaves found by my 5-year-old while my toddler, who reamains fastened in the stroller, eagerly points to leaves for her sister to collect. […]