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March 14, 2012

Get Outside for Spring Break!

Posted by Tonya under Camping, Free Play, hike, Nature, Places to Go | Tags: |
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Here are g2g’s Top Ten Ideas for Getting Outside during Spring Break 2012!

  1. Great Plains Nature Center - head to 29th and Woodlawn and take part in their scheduled programs, click here.  Or just walk with the family and see what’s already blooming.  Last time I was there I saw over 8 deer on my walk!!!
  2. Read a book in  your own backyard.  Spread out a blanket and read a book together or by yourself.  (This is good for kids AND adults!)
  3. The WATER Center is a great place to spend an afternoon.  Walk the nature trail, check out the newly rebuilt aquarium and all the huge fish inside, play a round of frisbee golf, or just have a picnic and listen to the birds.  The museum is awesome!  And, there are some new exhibits.  Museum open hours are 1p-4:30p, MWF. 
  4. Without the burden of homework and maybe fewer after-school-activities, take a walk or a bike ride everyday after mom and dad get home from work.  See what new paths you can take around your neighborhood.  What new things are happening you never noticed before?
  5. Sedgwick County Zoo has a Spring Fling over Spring Break.  Call 316-266-8213 for details.
  6. Check out the “Stars and Moon” program at the Lake Afton Observatory on Friday or Saturday, March 23-24. 
  7. Grab a camera, give one to your child and head outside to a nearby park or in your own backyard.  Take pictures of what you think is pretty, what you think is not so pretty.  Pictures of new leaves, old leaves, flowers blooming.  Can you find a bird and snap a pic before it’s gone?  What about a bug?
  8. Need a day trip?  Try the Wetland Education Center at Cheyenne Bottoms and bird watch in a top notch spot!  Admission is FREE!  They are closed Monday, open Tuesday-Saturday from 8a-5p, and Sunday 1p-5p.
  9. Take a family bike ride to the store to pick a few things.  On a week, like Spring Break, that is less busy…see how long it takes you.  How many groceries fit in your backpacks?  Could you make regular trips to the store for small items instead of driving?
  10. Go Camping!  It can be an overnight trip in the backyard or a few days at a campsite.  Your kids will never forget spending the night in the great outdoors.  (Don’t forget the Smores!)  Here are a few resources for a campout with kids:  Camping Handout – comfort, safety, cooking or

 

 

March 2, 2012

Keeping Kids Safe Online

Posted by Tonya under Parents, Places to Go | Tags: , , , |
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I know we usually talk about kids and the outdoors on this blog.  But, we all know that today’s kids spend time indoors, on computers and online.  Here is a great opportunity to learn how we can keep our kids safe while they’re navigating through cyber-space towards adulthood.

Attend the Internet 101 for Parents 4 week class, Thursdays in April (April 5, 12, 19, 26) from 5:30-7:30.  Cost is $20 for the month of classes.  Dinner will be provided. Adults only.  Parents of children of all ages are welcome.  Register at 660-0127.

The presenter will be Exploited & Missing Child Unit/ Internet Crime Against Children ( EMCU/ICAC) Detective Jennifer Wright. 

For details click:  Internet 101 for Parents

 

February 16, 2012

Get Outside Baby!

Posted by Tonya under Free Play, Nature, Parents, Places to Go
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Is it just me or are there TONS of families having babies right now?  If this is you or you know a new mom or dad, remind them that it is never too early to start taking your children outdoors.  

Outside gets a bad rap for being “dirty.”  When actually, the fresh air outside has much fewer recirculated germs and the surfaces many fewer ickies from us touching and sneezing on things all the time.  (door knobs, keyboards, etc).  Today’s blog is not about the gross-out factor or a stimulus to go sanatize your home.  It is a call to head outdoors with your kids, even the smallest ones.

What do you do with a baby outside?  Well, here are a few suggestions.  (Ideas borrowed from the Children & Nature Network’s “Together in Nature” publication).

  • Just take a walk.  Point out colors, wander under trees, say hello to squirrels.  Leave the cell phone at home and be present with your baby.  Do this when they’re fussy.  Nature is a great soother.
  • A Touch of Nature.  Help your baby touch bark, grass, moss, pebbles, etc.  These are great moments of sensory discovery.  If something holds their attention, linger. 
  • Nature Nursery Day.  On a nice day, spread out a blanket under a tree and spend the  whole morning or afternoon outside.  Bring books, snacks and a few toys.  Let the baby crawl freely, watch birds and play in the leafy shadows.  Take a nap.  Enjoy.  (Again, no cell phones.)
 

February 9, 2012

Storytime at the WATER Center on Valentine’s Day

Posted by Tonya under g2g Outside Events, Local Initiatives, Nature, Places to Go | Tags: , , |
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Show your kiddo how much you love them by taking them out for Storytime at the WATER Center Tuesday February 14 from 10am-11am. 

Join the WATER Center Staff for a free storytime and nature activity.  February the story is Big Al by Yoshi and the activity is “Fish Friends!”  The program is designed for Pre-K aged children, but all are welcome to attend.

The WATER Center is located in Herman Hill Park on the corner of Pawnee and Broadway. Due to contruction at Pawnee & Broadway, please access Herman Hill park via McClean and Pawnee. 

You can park in the lot by the playground or behind the WATER Center building.  The building has fountains out front.  Wander up the path towards the fountains and enter the building for storytime.  After storytime you can play in the museum or hike along the streamside paths towards the Arkansas River.

 

February 6, 2012

Winter Wednesdays at the Zoo

Posted by Tonya under Nature, Places to Go | Tags: , , |
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This is the last month that you can get into the zoo on Winter Wednesdays for $2.50/person!  The Sedgwick County Zoo is open from 10a-5p. 

The great thing about this abnormally warm winter is that you can enjoy the Zoo’s Winter Wednesday program without frostbite!   And, if it is cold just check out the indoor exhibits (Jungle Building, Reptile & Amphibian Building, Downing Gorilla Forest, Koch Chimp & Orangutan Habitat, etc)

Click here to find out the zoo programs and animal feeding times you can see while you’re at the Zoo these next few Wednesdays!

 

January 31, 2012

Register for g2g Parents Night Out

Posted by Tonya under g2g Outside Events, Local Initiatives, Parents, Places to Go | Tags: , , , |
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Parents, have you been carting your kids around to THEIR activities?  Are you ready for a night where the evening is designed just for you?  Well here you go!

g2g Outside is hosting a Parent’s Night Out on February 6th, 6:30-8:30pm.   We will provide an evening with refreshments, a bit of education, some lively discussion, and a few fun activities or ideas that you can take home and use.

The purpose of the evening is to give parents the time and space to talk about how outdoor play shapes children and benefits them.  We will trade ideas and activities that we use to engage kids in nature.

The event is free.  But, we ask that you please register here

 

January 10, 2012

g2g Stargaze

Posted by Tonya under g2g Outside Events, Nature, Places to Go
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This Friday, January 13, g2g Outside invites your family to the Lake Afton Observatory  Just off McArthur Rd (north) near 247th St W, in Lake Afton Park (3 miles south and 3 miles west of Goddard). 

We will meet at 7:15pm in order to catch the program at 7:30.  We will participate in the Women in Astronomy Program, check out what wonders we can see in space from the 16-inch telescope, then we can learn even more in the hands-on museum. 

Kids and adults can be awestruck with the vastness and fantastic objects that can be found in space.  This may be a trip that sparks a lifelong love of the night-sky or desire to pursue a career in science.  Don’t miss out!

Your family is welcome to stay as long as you’d like, Observatory closes at 10pm.  Dress for cold weather, the observatory (the room with the telescope) is not heated.  You can warm up in the museum.

The first 50 participants get in Free, courtesy of g2g Outside.  After the first 50, entrance fees are on your own.  $5 adults, $3 kids 6-12, 6 & under are free.

During this telescope session we’re going to see:  Jupiter, a giant blue star, a supernova remnant, a nebula and a spiral galaxy.

 

January 7, 2012

Storytime at the WATER Center

Posted by Tonya under Local Initiatives, Nature, Places to Go | Tags: , , |
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Fish Tales storytime at the WATER Center! 

Tuesday January 10 from 10am-11am.  Join the WATER Center Staff for a free storytime and nature activity.  The program is designed for Pre-K aged children, but all are welcome to attend.

The WATER Center is located in Herman Hill Park on the corner of Pawnee and Broadway.  You can park in the lot by the playground or behind the WATER Center building.  The building has fountains out front.  Wander up the path towards the fountains and enter the building for storytime.  After storytime you can play in the museum or hike along the streamside paths towards the Arkansas River.

 

December 21, 2011

Make Life-Long Memories with a Christmas Family Hike

Posted by Tonya under hike, Nature, Places to Go
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This is the time of year that family traditions and life-long memories are made.  So, why should we pull our families away from the TV and reruns of “A Christmas Story” and take a trip outdoors?

Nature builds family bonds.  Levels of neurochemicals and hormones associated with social bonding are elevated during nature interactions. Researchers at the University of Rochester report that exposure to the natural environment leads people to nurture close relationships with fellow human beings. (10 Reasons Children & Adults Need Vitamin N, Richard Louv)

Build close family connections by taking trips outdoors with the ENTIRE family (parents, cousins, uncles, grandparents & even close friends).  Here is a list of nearby nature walks that you can take your family this holiday season.

  • Swanson Park - 1.3 miles paved nature trail.  Lots of side “into the trees” paths for exploring.  There is a creek, cool bridges, deer, turkeys, squirrels, etc.  Maize Rd between W. Central and W. 13th.
  • Chisholm Park - 4.2 miles of paved nature trail.  29th and Oliver
  • Pawnee Prairie Park – 1 mile of paved trail and 8-10 mile system of dirt paths.  Lots of fun “off the trail” trails for exploring!  Last time I went I saw deer and wild turkeys.  South Tyler Rd, across from airport runway.
  • Hellers Park - 1/2 mile dirt nature trail.  43rd and Arkansas
  • Meadows Park - 1.46 miles of paved trail. 119th and Maple.
  • There are lots of parks that give you access to the great walk and bike trail that goes along the Arkansas River:   Big Arkansas River Park,  Sim, Oak, Riverside.

A few things to try while hiking:

  1. Stop and be completely quite for 1 minute.  How many different sounds can you hear?  Who heard the most?
  2. If you have a bridge with running water under it, play Pooh Sticks. 
  3. Who can find the biggest leaf on your hike?
  4. How many squirrel nests can you find?  It’s much easier in the winter to spot them.  They are those raggedy looking nests in the leaf-less trees. 
  5. After the hike have everyone tell what their favorite part of the hike was.  This reflection will help everyone learn more about eachother and solidify memories.

    Squirrel Nest

 

 

December 14, 2011

Holiday Light Tour

Posted by Tonya under hike, Places to Go | Tags: , , , , , |
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Wasn’t it only few weeks ago that it was hotter than blazes?  Now it seems beyond cold!  But, it is winter…So, celebrate the winter months by taking a walking tour of Christmas Lights in your neighborhood.  Or drive to a neighborhood known for their lights and take a walk with your family.

Tips for a night-time winter walk:

  • Bundle up (hats, gloves, coats, warm socks, thick soled shoes, etc)
  • Wrapping up in blankets as you walk makes for a cozy feeling
  • Bring along hot chocolate in travel mugs
  • Snacks aren’t a bad idea either
  • Walk with the wind first while you’re getting used to the cold, walk into the wind once your warm from walking
  • Have each family member choose which house was their favorite.  Or give out special awards like: best use of white lights, most colorful, worst use of inflatable characters, etc. 
  • Hint:  If someone is complaining about being cold tell them it’s because their socks are on the wrong feet.  Then, as they switch their socks all that moving around warms them up.  This works best in sleeping bags on camping trips, but I think it will work on a holiday light walk too.

Click this link for a list of great holiday lights in the Wichita Area:  POSSIBLE LIGHT SHOWS TO VISIT

 

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