With a sunny forecast and slightly warmer weather today, our top recommendation, as it is when our friends are here at SolBe, would be to get outside and enjoy. A nice walk outside, maybe going on a "bear hunt", or enjoying a casual hike for 30 minutes or so. Fresh air is ever so important for kids and perhaps even more important for your sanity. If you live nearby SolBe, here are a few trails that are child-friendly for a walk:
- Allandale Woods Trail
- Lost Pond Trail
- Arnold Arboretum Trail
Of course there are many others- alltrails.com is a wonderful resource if you are new to the area! If I can chime in, it's Patty, fortunate to live very close to the Arnold Arboretum. I have walked there for at least an hour for the past three days, and can affirm that these walks have been restorative in every way. What you will find are carpets of crocuses, kiddos riding bikes and scooters, families playing hide and seek among the trees. It is truly a normalizing experience in the best ways and absolutely free. Pack good shoes or rain boots and snacks and water, as the Visitor's Center has been closed. You will come away refreshed.
Project of the Day Infants/Toddlers: Make Your Own Non-Toxic Homemade Paint!
Ingredients
½ cup of fresh raspberries
½ teaspoon of vinegar
½ teaspoon of salt
Directions
Using a mortar or similar tool made raspberry pure and then push it through a strainer to gel pulp-free juice. Add ½ teaspoon of vinegar to hold the color and make it more liquid. Finally add ½ teaspoon of salt and TA DAH!
Project of the Day Older Toddlers & Preschoolers: Going on a Hunt!
Take the opportunity of this wonderful weather to explore outdoors (see list of trails we suggested!). Bring a bag and allow your child to collect any items of his/her interest (e.g., leaves, sticks, rocks). Once at home, explore together all your findings! Using any kind of ruler (or another measuring tool you have handy), invite your child to measure each object and notice all the different lengths. Make your own masterpiece with all the pieces you found!
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