Canning Ring Pumpkins

I can't remember where I found this, I'll have to be more careful next time. But, my girls had a lot of fun with this outdoor fall game. First, take a pumpkin with a nice stem still attached, we used a big one and mini pumpkins. Then take some canning rings. Put them together and what do you get? A fun tossing game. Laura did ok, the wide mouth rings work a little better than the small ones, but Eden still had fun putting them on the stems. Ryan tried to eat the rings and the bark from the tree. I also want to try making some rings a little bigger out of cardboard cereal boxes.

After they get bored with this game, tie some ribbons onto the edges and let them run around with the ring in their hand and their ribbon kite behind them.

What's better than water?

This idea has saved me when I just need a few minutes. To finish dinner, make a phone call, or just eat a candybar in peace. Cheap, dollar store spray bottles. Fill 'em up with water, hand one to each of the kids and send them into the back yard. They spray the sidewalk, their bikes, each other, and love it.

Another one for kids is to put them in an empty bathtub with a pile of shaving creme and some kid paint brushes. Make sure they don't have clothes on that can't get stained though. After they paint everything, including themselves, let 'em wash it back off with a bucket of water. This will keep my girls entertained for honestly an hour and a half. It's how I pack for trips!

Nature Bracelets

Most kids love being outside, and toddlers are fascinated by everything around them, which is very refreshing. I like being reminded that ants and rocks are amazing. To help your budding naturalist, let him or her make a nature bracelet.

ITEMS NEEDED
Clear packing tape
Scissors

INSTRUCTIONS:
Cut a piece of packing tape long enough to go around your child's wrist and overlap the ends with the sticky side of the tape up. While playing outside or on a walk, encourage your child to find differently shaped leaves, flower petals, grass blades, and more and stick them on his or her tape bracelet. When you are done, cover the bracelet with another piece of packing tape, sealing those natural treasures inside. Cut off of your child and let them use it as a bookmark or anything else their little heart desires.