Looking for inspiration for outdoor fun? How about making a nature bracelet? Or a caterpillar snack? Or spelling you name in flowers?
These awesome, simple ideas come courtesy of Lis Duckworth, a Middlebury-based educator who works collaboratively with an occupational therapist, Nicole Gordon, to empower and equip nature-based early learning educators and families to successfully work with kids with disabilities and special needs in an outdoor environment.
Duckworth and Gordon (pictured above) produce free seasonal activity guides that are packed with accessible, do-today outdoor activities that require low parent effort for materials — and are fun for kids of all abilities.
Here’s this summer’s guide.
And here’s how to do the nature bracelet pictured above:
You’ll need: Clear packing tape or duct tape. That’s it!
Step 1: Make a bracelet by loosely attaching a ring of tape around your child’s wrist. Make sure it’s comfortable and the sticky side is facing out.
Step 2: Explore! What kind of small things can your child find? Stick them to the tape to make a colorful and fun bracelet.
Try this:
Bring scissors: If your child is still developing scissor skills, encourage them to practice cutting grass or flowers for the bracelet. Fun!
What does “done” look like? Make an example bracelet ahead of time if your child needs some extra support in understanding activities.
Download the full (free) Outside Together guide here.