As we head into the third week of social distancing, with the weather changing for the better and there being concerns that the daily exercise time could be lost due to the actions of a few- this is a simple activity that you can do together, to see more in your garden. It is inspired…
Out in the garden the other morning, listening to the chorus shortly after sunrise. In the forest I’m pretty good at identifying birds by their calls- but at home, I can’t discern which bird is singing! Asking the girls which birds visited the garden, they could name a few of the obvious ones- but not…
Feeling less frustrated and hemmed in this week. Think we have hit a bit of routine now- this definitely involved a good chunk of time outside. The girls can blow off steam, be active and still be engaged! Also think that me getting out with them is a positive thing- reducing that pent up angst…
Finding North is a fundamental skill in the outdoors. We can use it to avoid chilly winds, to get the warmth of the sun in the morning, to make sure we’re walking in the right direction and to locate ourselves. This is the latest idea of how you can spend half an hour, outside, being…
This is the latest in the #avoidingcoronaboredom series- see the blog for all the other ideas we’re sharing, and a way for you to spend some time observing and monitoring what the moon is doing over the next two or three weeks. Often during our Dark Skies events on the North York Moors people ask…
It’s a nice day. We’ve been confined to the house for six days. They have been doing school work, I’ve been trying to work- there’s been some squabbles- but we need to stay in- but going out and letting off steam would be so beneficial. It’s difficult finding the balance between self-isolating/social distancing and engaging…
Yesterday’s back garden activity idea was the back garden camp out, and as my daughters went to the tent on Sunday evening, there was a cloudless sky, which, even in Guisborough, allowed us to see a good covering of stars. We could easily pick out Orion, and the distinctive three stars which make up his…
So this is the first ‘working week’ of the working from home/social distancing measures we’re taking. Today is also the second morning my daughters are waking up in the tent in the garden! We’re lucky- we have ready access to a few tents of different sizes, as well as roll mats and camp beds, along…
You know that time of the day when your children announce that they are hungry! Well, this is an activity that takes about 30 minutes, and provides them a little snack- as well as keeping them engaged! It’s a thing that many Scouts may recall- and it’s something that I’ve done with groups on school…
It’s the first day of Spring today! The Spring Equinox! I cut the grass for the first time yesterday- and my girls will be playing there much more when their school closes. This is the second activity in the #avoidingcoronaboredom series, just some ideas and suggestions I’m putting together in lieu of working with groups-…
