In this new world, going outside — as long as you keep six feet between you and anyone who isn't a member of your household or social circle — is not only OK, it's encouraged for you and your children's mental and physical health.
In Newmarket and York Region, we are lucky there are lots of spaces to explore while participating in physical distancing. So here are five books to get you and the kids outside. And you never know, everyone may learn a thing or two. Happy reading.
101 Things for Kids to Do Outside by Dawn Issac (A Firefly Book, https://www.fireflybooks.com/)
As the name suggests, there are no shortage of things to do when outside. You can book with the sun using a shoebox, black paper, aluminum foil and cookie dough; play water balloon pinata (watch for blindfolded stick-welding children); and create your own nature exhibit. The book also has a variety of outdoor games that you can participate in with your child. Each activity offers a list of things you'll need, pictures of the project in various stages and clearly written instructions. Issac also created 101 Things for Kids to Do On a Rainy Day.
Backyard Explorer by Lonely Planet Kids (Raincoast Books, www.raincoast.com)
This pocket-sized hardcover book encourages kids to explore their neighbourhood from the size of their web (how far things such as school, dentist and other locations you often attend are away from your home), what type of feathered friends live in your neighbourhood and what it sounds and smells like. There are lots of activities to try such as a scavenger hunt (my favourite thing to look for is lost socks. I never know how that happens), weather chart and skyline silhouettes, among other things.
Let's Get Gardening (DK Books, www.dk.com)
There is nothing better than fresh carrots and beans plucked right from your garden. In this DK book, there are “30 easy gardening projects for children” to try. I like that most of the projects are container gardens so even if you are in apartment, you can still try planting blueberries or chilies. Each vegetable has two pages of information and photos, with a list of things kids will need to do the project then step-by-step pictures and instructions for planting, growing, caring and harvesting. In addition to vegetables, kids can learn how to plant a tree, build a container pond or a frog home and create a recycled garden.
Night Sky Detective (DK Smithsonian Eyewitness Explorer, www.dk.com)
Let kids stay up one night and explore the night skies. This book helps kids find Venus, map the stars (using the provided star map); and find constellations. The book offers lots of great information, beautiful pictures and a craft to help kids understand what they are learning about — from whether life is possible on Mars to escaping velocity.
Wild Things Over 100 Magical Outdoor Adventures by Jo Schofield and Fiona Danks (Raincoast Books, www.raincoast.com)
Everything about this book is absolutely amazing. I love the layout of it and the fonts. I love the pictures and the adventures. You get to befriend a dragon and do everything in your power to defend it — create catapult, shields and swords (with safety tips). But did you know dragon's blood has magical powers? You can learn how to make and bottle your own. You can write messages to fairies and create fairy wings and make monster feet out of sand. From monsters the wands, this book helps bring imagination to life.
So here are just five books that will help get you outside, learning and using your imagination. Looking for other recommendations? Check out Book Time to read reviews about all kinds of books.
Lisa Day is the author of two book blogs – Book Time, where she reviews a variety of books for a variety of readers and offers author Q&As, and followsummer.com, book reviews that inspire armchair travel. You can follow Lisa on Twitter @LisaMDayC , Instagram @LisaMDayC and @LisaMDayReads, and on Facebook at https://www.
