All it took was one quick flip through Jennifer Ward's Let's Go Outside!: Outdoor Activities and Projects to Get Your Kids Closer to Nature for me to know that I had to buy it. Packed with great ideas for kid-friendly outdoor fun, Let's Go Outside! features four easy-to-read sections complemented by the whimsical art of CMP fave artist Susie Ghahremani.
So far, we've done almost everything in the "Back to the Basics" section, which highlights old-fashioned games from when I was a kid, like Kick the Can, Capture the Flag, and ten different kids of tag. All of the games are aimed at older kids (8-12) but easily adapted for the younger set.
I'm also loving the Making the Ordinary Extraordinary which takes regular activities like picnics and scavenger hunts and turns them up a notch with educational twists and extra fun. You'll also find tips on how to start a small garden, go fishing, or even pan for gold. (Who knows--maybe the book will pay for itself!)
If you're already a super creative outdoorsy-type, then this book might be a little basic for you. But for those of us who could use a little extra help in the Parks and Rec department, this is a sure fire way to cure summer time boredom--which I fear might start to set in at the beginning of May around here. -Kristen
Purchase Let's Go Outside! by Jennifer Ward at our affiliate Amazon.com
