Nature's Playground

by Fiona Danks

This delightful illustrated book is a guide to introducing children to the great outdoors through fun activities in nature. Designed for use by families, carers, play workers and teachers, the book sets out guidelines for safe and engaging play outdoors, with useful tips on how to hold children's attention on longer excursions. The book is divided into seasons, with activities appropriate to each. For example, in spring, children can explore aquatic life in ponds and streams, collect material to make birds' nests or look out for growing bulbs; in autumn they can collect berries or make collages with fallen leaves. Throughout the book, the emphasis is on helping children gain an appreciation of nature's patterns, giving them confidence in the outdoor environment in a way that is educational, safe and, above all, fun. The authors, Fiona Danks and Jo Schofield, have produced some outdoor activity sheets in conjuction with the Cub and Scout Naturalist Activity Badge, sponsered by Natural England. To view these acitivity sheets, click here. For more information on Natural England, click the logo on the left.

Genres: Parenting, Nature, Childrens, College

Hardcover

First published March 1, 2006

Reviews

[Susan · Rating 4 out of 5]

A beautifully photographed book offering ideas on how to get children outside. Some quibbles - it seemed geared for people who actually live where there already is quite a lot of gorgeous open land - and while I don't think I would have a hard time getting my son to ditch the Playstation and run in the glorious golden fields (as he does on vacation), it's quite another thing to get him to poke around the boring backyard.
Still, I am smitten. These are the sort of books that make me want to haul out my old batiked clothes (wait, do I still own any? Would they fit?) and build a geodesic dome in the woods...(the husband not so keen on these notions).
The only other quibble - the binding rots. This book will fall apart by the third use.

[Hilary · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great book full of fun activities appreciating the beauty of nature. Even if you do lots outside this book will probably give you some new ideas. We loved the ice mobiles. All the ones we have tried work well.

[aMandalin · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book was really neat for elementary to middle school age kids. I like how it’s organized by season. So many neat pictures and ideas!!

[Megan · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book is full of great ideas for keeping kids outside and unplugged from the tv year round. Some of the activities are really common sense, but in busy mom land it is awesome to have suggestions at my fingertips when I run out of ideas.

[Laura Cheek · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love this book and the photos included. Wonderful.

[Lindsay Evermore]

hamden milford

[Jody Lewandowski · Rating 4 out of 5]

Took lots of notes from this book, and I can't wait to venture outdoors with my kids - with purpose and intent! Good ideas and excuse-busters.