Today’s outdoor game inspiration is

Shadow Tag.

In this version of tag the “it” person has to tag the other players’ shadows with their feet.  This is a great game for those times when tagging with hands gets rough and the kids need to play but be a little more “hands-off”. 

The earlier in the day and later in the evening this game is played the easier it is becuase the shadows are longer.  So, as the kids get better and better at the game, have them play in the middle, short-shadowed part of the day for more of a challenge.

If you have similiar quiet reading times in your house, consider allowing that reading time to take place outdoors, under a shady tree, on a blanket.  Or your child can find a spot to read in a tree (I read in my favorite climbing tree a lot).  The outdoors is calming, provides some fresh air and may be a little less of a confining feeling for your child if they can be outside when they read.

No matter where you read you can join the Wichita Public Library’s Summer Reading Program.  It starts today, but you can join anytime before July 26.  It’s called Dream Big - Read!

This cool summer reading program is for kids 17 and younger.  To sign- up visit a Wichita Public Library location.  When you sign-up you receive a bag, book and reading chart.  Each child sets a reading goal, and when they reach their goal and return the reading chart they will receive a prize bag full of goodies!

Prizes include:  passes to All Star Sports/Adventures, Wichita Ice Center, Wichita Thunder Game, Wichita Wingnuts; discount admission to Exploration Place’s Star Wars Exhibit; and free drink or food coupons for Andover Popcorn Co, Carlos O’Kelly’s, McDonalds, Pizza Hut, Pump It Up, and Texas Roadhouse.  Prizes must be picked up by Aug 2.

Today is 4-Square Day!  

Start off by creating a great 4-Square court.  The “official” court is 16′x16′ divided into four 8′x8′ sqaures.  But, work with what you have, any 4 equal squares will work.  You can have your kids draw out the court with chalk on the driveway.  For a Full Summer of fun you can spray paint the court on the driveway.  Parents you can bust out the measuring tape and laser level and really make the court  precise.  Remember, even if you’re being precise have the kids help.  This is a wonderful teachable moment for math skills!

The best ball to play with is the classic rubber ball we all had a recess.  But other balls can work if they bounce well.

The basic rules: The Server in the 4th square serves the ball by boucing it the hitting it to any other square.  The next player hits the ball to any of the 3 squares after the 1st bounce and before it bounces again.  Only one bounce per square.  This goes on until the ball hits the line (hitter’s error), the ball goes out of bounds (hitters error), bounces more than once inside a square (the receiveer’s error), or the hitter hits incorrectly (holding,carrying, kicking, etc).  

Whoever has the error leaves their square and goes down to square 1, moving everyone else up to fill in the squares.  If there are more than 4 players there can be a line of waiters at Square 1, and the out player goes to the end of the waiting line and the first person in line comes into the game in Square 1.

After the basic games and rules are familier, it’s time to break out the crazy, fun rules!   Try these rules, or make up your own.  The 4th Square Server invokes the rules for their reign in the 4th Square. 

• Double Taps - a player may hit the ball twice in the air after is has bounced.  It’s like setting yourself up for a spike!
• Body Language – Allows the players to hit the ball with any part of their body, including feet.  Good for the soccer players.
• Black Jack – If a player catches the ball cleanly before it lands in his/her square, the player who hit the ball is out.  (Like cathing the ball in dodge ball.)  This forces the game to be played low and fast.
• Mailman – The player with the ball can call “Mailman,” and everone must run clockwise around the court while the person with the ball tries to tag someone.  If the players make it back to their squares they are safe.  If a player is tagged, they are out.
• Bus Stop – The player with the ball can call “Bus Stop,” and all the players must run to the middle of the court where all 4 lines intersect.  The last one to place their foot on the X is out.

Make up your own rules!  That’s the best part about 4-Square!

Here are a few sites for more information about rules and ideas for fun add-ons.  foursquare.org, and  theykid.com.

Instructions for today’s blog:

1. Read this article, “A Living Room in the Woods:  Six Great Ways Parks Connect Kids to the Natural World.”
2. Comment on this post and us about your favorite park or moment in a park.
3. In the next 24 hours, visit a park with your kids and just enjoy the place, the peace, the birds, the air, and the time together.

#1.  OK Kids at the Great Plain Nature Center will be an outdoor adventure for all.  Saturday, May 19, 10a-2p!

Your Adventure at GPNC will include:

• Live animals up close and personal
• Building a fort
• Fishing (sign up the day of event)
• Target shooting
• Building a bird house or bird feeder
• Bird watching (win a pair of binoculars!)
• Orienteering
• Planting a tree (take home and plant)
• Make a recycled toy

#2 OK Kids at the OJ Watson Park,  Saturday, May 19, 9a-noon.

Your Adventure at OJ Watson Park will include:

• Fishing & water safety
• Volleyball
• Moon walk
• Kayaks
• Train rides, pony rides, mini-golf, pedal boats & concessions for a small fee.

Here are just the ones coming up in May and early June!

• Story Time – Wednesdays, 11am.  Free, no registration required.  Meets in the lobby of the Nature Center.
• Herp Hunt! – Thursday May 24, 9a-11a & Friday May 25, 9a-11a.  Fee = $3 members/$5 non-members.  Must pre-register.  Click here for registration form.  Be prepared to get wet & muddy.  Go off trails to hunt for snakes, frogs, turtles, toads, etc! 
• Make Your Own Telescope – Ages 8+.  3-day program.  May 29 & May 30 from 1:30-2:30 and June 1, 9p-10p.  Fee $10 members/$15 non-members.  Must pre-register.  Click here for form.  2 days to make the telescope and an evening of star gazing!
• Nature Adventures – Wednesdays, June 6-July 25, 1:30.  Free, ne registration required.  Each week a naturalist shares about nature and wildlife.  Meets in the lobby of the Nature Center.
• Full Moon Walks – Monday June 4, 9pm.  Free, please pre-register by contacting Lorrie Beck, 316-683-5499 etxn 108.  Celebrate the full moon with an evening stroll through Chisholm Creek Park and see what nocturnal creatues see.
• Incredible Bugs – Ages 6-12 (must have completed Kindergarten).  Tues, June 5, 10a-11:30a.  Repeats Thurs, June 7, 10a-11:30a.  Fee = $3 members/$5 non-members.  Must pre-register.  Click here for registration form.  Learn about and hunt for all kinds of bugs! 
• Nature Journal Wonders – Ages 5-8 (completed K).  Tues, June 12, 10a-11:30a.  Repeats on June 26, 10a-11:30a.  Fee = $3 members/$5 non-members.  Must pre-register.  Click here for registration form. 
• Nature Journal Wonders – Ages 9-12 (completed 3rd).  Thurs, June 14, 10a-11:30.  Repeats Thurs, June 28, 10a-11:30.  Fee = $3 members/$5 non-members.  Must pre-register.  Click here for registration form. 

Celebrate Mother’s Day this year with something simple outside:

• Go on a bike ride
• Picnic under a shade-tree – It doesn’t have to be a whole meal.  A snack picnic is just as fun.
• Family games – TV Tag, Man-From-Mars, Simon Says, Mother-May-I (of course!)
• Try out a new park
• Read a book together outside on a blanket
• If it’s warm play in the sprinkler
• If it’s windy fly a kite

What about a gift for mom that she and the kids can use together outdoors?  Zoo passes or membership, picnic basket, umbrella (for sun or rain), gas card for a road trip to a nature preserve or park, binoculars, bird id book, hiking shoes…what else?

Join the WATER Center Staff for a free storytime and nature activity.  May’s story is Trout, Trout, Trout by April Pulley Sayre.  The Activity is “Get Fishy!”  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.