Nature's Playground: Activities, Crafts, and Games to Encourage Children to Get Outdoors [Paperback]

Fiona Danks (Author), Jo Schofield (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: September 1, 2007 | Age Range: 7 - 9 years

Introducing children to the excitement of the natural world, this guide to outdoor adventure provides hours of creative, safe, and fun activities. Children will learn how to build a den from branches, make twig boats to sail across a pond, and voyage through the backyard to find tiny insects and creatures. Activities include invigorating games, natural crafts, and lively adventures, all of which are organized by season. An additional chapter also addresses safe activities for children after dark. Perfect for families, caretakers, and educators, this creative resource encourages children to turn off the television and play outside all year round.

Editorial Reviews

Review

"Provides hours of inventive, exciting, and safe activities for children."  —Treasure Valley Family

"Very helpful for the family in a slump and looking to explore the outdoors."  —homeschool.com

"The activities in this book get children outside all year round."  —Circle Reader

"Highly recommend[ed]."  —Grant County Herald

"Provides hours of inventive exciting and safe activities for children."  —kidsvt.com

About the Author

Fiona Danks is an environmental educator with experience leading field trips and running countryside playgroups. Jo Schofield is a commercial magazine photographer.

Product Details

• Age Range: 7 - 9 years
  
• Paperback: 192 pages
• Publisher: Chicago Review Press (September 1, 2007)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1556527233
• ISBN-13: 978-1556527234
• Product Dimensions: 9.6 x 7.6 x 0.6 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.4 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (3 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #80,804 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

6 of 6 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Get Outside! November 8, 2009

By Shawn K. Hall

Format:Paperback

This is a year-around treasure of helpful ideas for all parents. Nature's Playground is beautifully illustrated, with an attractive layout. Fiona Danks and Jo Schofield share their creative experiences on getting kids outside to play in every season -- not just the summer months.

Nature's Playground has a sturdy cover, with bookmark flaps, which I simply love. Whether you read the book through from start to finish, or pick and choose activities, this book is a wonderful resource. Older children might enjoy it so much they decide to read it on their own.

You will find tips for parents to help keep the kids from getting into trouble with nature, complete with supply lists, so make sure you have everything on-hand before beginning a new project.

It's like having your own personal nature guide along with you in your adventures. This book is perfect not only for homeschooling families, but single parents, who don't have time to plan activities themselves and for busy parents everywhere. This is one book that will get used all year long.

7 of 9 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Nature's Playground March 20, 2008

By Cheryl A. Pisani

Format:Paperback

As a Park Ranger and Master Gardener I found "Nature's Playground very helpful in creating outdoor programs for the pre-school classes that I teach.Nature's Playground: Activities, Crafts, and Games to Encourage Children to Get Outdoors

6 of 9 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars great creative ideas July 23, 2008

By Mariposa

Format:Paperback

This book really gave me some good ideas for using with my 3yo. I really liked the style of writing, it's organization by seasons, & how-to photographs.