What is fun? Cross Country Skiing What kills fun? Driving a 15-passenger-van full of kids, three of which are fighting in the back. Last week Thursday was the first day of ski lessons and everything was going great: the trip to Blackhawk Ski Club went well; the kids loved skiing; and the weather was perfect. […]
Bad Van Behavior Kills Ski Fun Read More »
With Halloween right around the corner, it’s important to remember that nature can be scary for kids. The heart of the Pheasant Branch Creek Nature Preserve in Middleton is a huge spring. Water boils up from the ground and looks like a cauldron of boiling water and sand. The spring intrigued the K-5th grade kids
Bubble bubble toil and trouble: Dealing with fear Read More »
It’s important to get outside even on cold days. Teaching kids how to dress for cold weather is a great skill to have. Too many people stay inside all winter. Meanwhile, there’s a world of ice and snow ready to explore. Today, Four hearty kids and three adults went on a walk in the frozen
Winter Tracks on a Cold Day Read More »
Sledding is a blast in part because it’s just a little bit dangerous. Today, the hill at Olbrich Park was well worn, pock marked and icy. Half of our 11 kids stayed on the steep part of the hill, while the other half stayed on the gentler side. After one run down the steep side,
Sledding, Nose Bleeds and knowing when it’s time to go Read More »
The spring house at Blue Mound State Park is a pre-park relic. All that remains is the 8 x 10 x 4 foot concrete foundation, built by John Minix, the former landowner at the park. The spring once provided water for native people, farmers, and for the swimming pool, located just downstream. This was a
Frogs in the Spring House & other Tales from Blue Mound State Park Read More »
I love to skate and got to share this passion with kids at Hartmeyer Ice Arena last week. Me and two other teachers had 14 kids from ages 5 to 10 years old. Many had never skated before. Here’s the story. Choosing the right skates Naturally, all the boys wanted hockey skates, since that’s what Zach,
“I can’t stay up!” Figure skates prove a better choice for first-time skaters. Read More »
What do you call a fishing pier that’s on land for the winter? The Polar Express, a ship, and a ferry. On a trip to Lake Farm Park, I thought that most of the Kindergarten and first graders would have rushed to the water. But, they didn’t. Instead, they immediately jumped on a massive pier, in three pieces, now setting on land for the winter.
The Polar Express: Creative Play at Lake Farm Park Read More »
Kids discover a snapping turtle and garter snake at Cherokee Marsh on warm, windy and wet October day. By Diane Schwartz, October 31, 2009.
Halloween Hike: Snapping Turtle & Garter Snake Read More »
I never know what kids will discover while outside. On a recent trip to Parfrey’s Glen State Natural Area, the kids were fascinated by a hand water pump. The kids liked pumping the handle and then seeing the water come out. They were mystified by how the water could keep coming out even after they
The Wonder of a Water Pump Read More »
We’ve had a cold October in Wisconsin. Last weekend it was about 40 degrees at the start of our hike to Parfrey’s Glen Natural Area. I was dressed in a wind breaker, a neck warmer, hat, gloves and hiking boots. So, when the first kids showed up without none of the above I had to
Where is Your Coat? Read More »
