Hopefully you are having the same great weather we have been, and you can go out and actually enjoy a walk in the park! If you don't have easy access to a park, try these ideas in your yard. If the weather won't cooperate, maybe a few of these will tide you over and you can make plans to celebrate in person some time soon:
Books
9781561457731
Welcome to Bark Park, where dogs of every shape, size, and personality romp and roam. Young readers can cavort with these colorfully collaged canines before collapsing into sleep along with their doggie pals, worn out after a day of fun. Energetic rhymes are punctuated with cheerful illustrations in this bouncy, fast-paced frolic that is doggone fun!
Make sure you take your pups with you when you go for your walk!
9780374311049
Did you grow up with the Carl books? Definitely worth revisiting with your little ones. Most of them are wordless, and all of them feature Carl taking care of Baby - who is determined to get into all sorts of trouble. Now he has a puppy to look after, too!
9781423642367
A lot to see in this Cybils-nominated board book about National Parks. A moose in the Rocky Mountains, a kayak at Zion National Park. Are there any National Parks near you? Many are offering a chance to earn badges virtually!
Social Studies
How does an area become designated a National Park? What does that designation mean? Make sure to read up on Teddy Roosevelt and John Muir, without whom we might not have many of our great natural treasures today!
9780803737105
Community
What parks are in your community? Parks with playgrounds, walking parks, dog parks, bike riding parks? Who takes care of them all?
* If there is a parks department that helps keep your parks clean and maintained, bake them a thank-you gift! They work long hard hours in cold and heat, and they will appreciate being recognized!
* Help them out when you go for your walks, or when you play in the park. Bring a bag for trash (and possibly some gloves - talk with Mom and Dad about what might not be safe to pick up).
PE
Now, get out and walk! Take the whole family, invite some neighbors (they can walk separately but follow the same challenges), leash up the dog and bring him too! Make this a regular activity, and set some goals for:
- how far you walk
- how often you walk
- how many friends you can get to come along
- how many places you can visit
- scavenger hunt (find something that starts with each letter of the alphabet, find all the blue things, round things, etc.)
Don't forget the sunscreen and water!
Language Arts
When someone says something was "a walk in the park", they mean it was super easy. Can you think of any other idioms or expressions that mean something was easy? I'll bet you can come up with a great list - it's a piece of...!
Cooking
Parks scream picnics, don't they? Pack up some sandwiches and fruit. Try to pick things that don't require wrappers, so you don't have much trash to cart out again.
If you are going on a real hike, make your own granola to snack on! My favorite is cherry pecan, but you can put whatever you like into yours. Start with:
3 cups raw rolled oats
and add a total of 2 cups of any of these:
- chopped nuts
- sunflower seeds
- pumpkin seeds
- coconut flakes
- dried fruits (chopped if big)
Mix the following in a separate bowl:
- 1/2 cup maple syrup or honey
- 1/4 cup brown sugar (I never said this was HEALTHY granola)
- 1/4 cup oil (sesame, coconut, etc.)
- 1/2 tsp salt
- 1/2 tsp vanilla or spices (cinnamon, nutmeg, etc.) - OPTIONAL
Drizzle the wet mix over the dry and stir until well mixed. Spread on a cookies sheet and bake at 300 degrees about 45 minutes.
Let cool and then store in an airtight container.
Other Web Sites to Explore
https://well.blogs.nytimes.com/2013/03/27/easing-brain-fatigue-with-a-walk-in-the-park/?_r=0 (in case you needed extra motivation!)
For my northern readers: https://www.facebook.com/JustinPJTrudeau/videos/10155364388980649/?hc_ref=NEWSFEED (Do NOT read the comments. Seriously.)
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