The perfect pet for preschoolers…bring back the pet rock!

Knee deep in fall bulbs and covered (COVERED!) in dirt I was patting myself on the back this afternoon for cultivating Claire’s imagination with lots of fresh air and freedom and unstructured play. She was constructing this elaborate house for Rocky, her pretend friend. Daddy was busy fixing the greenhouse and donated lots of leftover 2×4 bits and a few soft bits of wild onion … Continue reading The perfect pet for preschoolers…bring back the pet rock!

Regina @ Chalk In My PocketNovember 14, 2011Leave a comment

nature table, outdoors, science

Nature Table — Take Two

There’s a nice wide foyer in our new house so I was so happy to recreate the nature table we had set up at the old place. I snagged a divided cubby from Freecycle a while back, and Claire played post office with it until I realized it would be perfect for sorting all the goodies she brings in from outside. 9 spots filled with … Continue reading Nature Table — Take Two

Regina @ Chalk In My PocketNovember 12, 2011September 1, 2015Leave a comment

Earth Day, garden, leaf print garden flags, outdoors, printmaking

Featured Guest: Jen of Paint Cut Paste | Leaf-Print Garden Flags

Please welcome Jen from PaintCutPaste today! She’s an art therapist and Mom to a four year old daughter, who seems to love creative expression as much as her mama. Jen’s training in art therapy shines through the projects she creates, her blog is full of age-appropriate art experiences and material explorations that inspire confidence in a budding artists and above all else — fun! Spring … Continue reading Featured Guest: Jen of Paint Cut Paste | Leaf-Print Garden Flags

Regina @ Chalk In My PocketApril 21, 2011September 1, 201514 Comments

outdoors, science, spring

First Flowers of Spring

You’ll have to excuse my light posting of late. My husband and I have been flirting with the idea of listing our house and finally took the plunge and contacted a local relator. We started scouting potential neighborhoods with her and managed to fall in love with a home on a wooded lot right smack in the middle of where we were hoping to move. … Continue reading First Flowers of Spring

Regina @ Chalk In My PocketMarch 21, 20119 Comments

backyard birding, bird craft, learning, nesting material dispenser, outdoors

DIY Nesting Material Dispenser | Backyard Birding with Kids

Some of the most spoiled birds in the northeast live right in my backyard. During the past few months we’ve faithfully provided gourmet food , braving ice and snow to access the feeding station. Claire spends hours snug in her pajamas gazing out the living room window laughing at the antics of the tree clinging nuthatches and the clever tufted titmouse. You’d be hard pressed to find … Continue reading DIY Nesting Material Dispenser | Backyard Birding with Kids

Regina @ Chalk In My PocketMarch 1, 201115 Comments

outdoors, playtime

Potato Head Snowmen

Got snow? Got a toddler? Got a potato head toy? Then you too can have an awesome squadron of wee snowfolk in your yard. We did this last year when Claire was 2 and not into the whole (long) process of proper snowman building. I set her up with smaller versions on a bench instead! We brought out a box of her potato head pieces … Continue reading Potato Head Snowmen

Regina @ Chalk In My PocketFebruary 1, 2011September 1, 201514 Comments

learning, outdoors

How to get your kid to LOVE nature: Ornithology 101

What do you get when you combine a snowy morning, tons of sunflower seeds and our very first non-fiction book checked out from kiddie section at the library? The Pebble First Guide to Songbirds A very happy Claire spent the morning counting birds at our feeder and marveling that her feathered friends had their very own book! Is she too young to begin studying for … Continue reading How to get your kid to LOVE nature: Ornithology 101

Regina @ Chalk In My PocketJanuary 19, 20113 Comments