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A November for Giving Back and Spreading Kindness
World Kindness Day falls on November 13th and the past few years we have really decided to spend time this month focusing on kindness and how we can give back. Children learn by observing adults, even when those adults aren’t intentionally trying to teach them anything. This month I will continue to challeng myself to be more intentional in spreading kindness in hopes that my children will learn and follow my lead. Join us in celebrating World Kindness Day on November 13 by completing 1 random act of kindness. Put together snack packs for the Ronald McDonald House. Your gift of an on-the-go snack pack allows families to stay close…
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Fall in Columbus – 15 Tried and True Things to Do
Another fall is upon us and some of my favorite events and outings happen during this time of year. Check out the list of 15 tried and true things to do this fall season. Visit The Plant Kindness Project in Mechanicsburg, Ohio. This magical place started out as a personal garden and has evolved into a community garden and kindness initiative. Walk the gourd tunnel, take in the beauty of the flowers, and hang out with the farm cat, “Cheese.” Be sure to pick up produce at the farm stand, where nothing is priced and everything is donation based. Located at 2075 Bullard-Rutan Rd, Mechanicsburg, OH 43044. Go Apple Picking. Nothing says…
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Literacy in the Wild – 10 Story Trails in Central Ohio
Story Trails have been popping up in local parks all over Columbus and we are here for it. These Story Trails are an educational activity that places pages of a children’s story along a popular walking route in your community in order to create a fun and engaging way to experience literacy in the wild. Alum Creek State Park – The Storybook Trail The Storybook Trail at Alum Creek State Park is a half-mile, interactive loop that combines the fun of reading with outdoor exploration. The trail is lined with pages from “In the Trees, Honeybees,” and early literacy questions have been included on the pages to get you and…
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55 Ways to Stay-n-Play at home: Winter 2021 Edition
It’s cold, it’s dark, and we are all home. So, here is a list of ways to stay and play at home adjusted for this season. Fingers crossed we get more snow, because snow play can take up an entire morning! Snow Play Build a Snowman: Then label body parts, clothing items, and use spatial concepts in order to build your child’s vocabulary. Snow Angels: Describe how to make it and then make one together. Which angel is bigger? Snow Paint: Liquid watercolors are a perfect way to color the snow and can be spread via a spray bottle or a paint brush. What colors are you using? Snow Gems: Create these gems by…
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10 Ways to Beat the Winter Blues in Columbus
Happy New Year! 2021 is finally here and I am feeling cautiously optimistic. But, I am realistic enough to recognize that things will not be changing over night. With that in mind I have compiled a list of ways to stay busy and safe this winter here in Columbus. Hunt for Bison at Battelle Darby Creek. The bison are in the winter field which makes them a short walk from the parking lot. Finding your way there can be a bit tricky, so be sure plug 1415 Darby Creek Dr into the GPS and park by the Nature Center (which is temporarily closed). Volunteer with Seeds of Caring to help your kids…
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13 Ways to Make This Holiday Season in Columbus a Little Brighter
The holiday season is upon us, which usually means the anticipation to create magical moments is real. This year is looking extremely different from years past and finding enjoyable and safe ways to celebrate the season is important. I have gone through previous holiday lists and picked out the activities that are still happening and feel like safe bets. I then added some simple ways to celebrate at home. Find an alternative way to Visit with Santa. Sonja Lynn Photography is offering socially distanced Santa photos and the end result is seriously the cutest! Pick out a template from one of the 4 choices she is offering, email her at sonja@sonjalynnphotography.com…
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Ideas for Giving Back and Spreading Kindness
For the past few years I have felt the need to recharge and really focus on kindness this time of year. With World Kindness Day falling on November 13, November just seems to be the perfect month for this focus. Children learn by observing adults, even when those adults aren’t intentionally trying to teach them anything. This month I am challenging myself to be more intentional in spreading kindness in hopes that my children will learn and follow my lead. Join us in celebrating World Kindness Day on November 13 by completing 1 random act of kindness. Put together snack packs for the Ronald McDonald House. Your gift of an…
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10 More Ways to Explore Columbus from a Social Distance
As the summer continues, so do the recommendations to stay safe by keeping social distance. Staying home is the safest way to avoid people, but sometimes it’s nice to break up the week by getting out and exploring. Below is a compilation of “off the beaten path” ways to explore Columbus from a safe distance. If these don’t appeal to you or you have exhausted them all, be sure to check out these “15 Ways to Explore Columbus from a Social Distance.” Get outside and walk the 1.3 mile loop around Antrim Lake Trail. Take a Walk on the Alum Creek State Park – Storybook Trail. The interactive trail is lined…
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Toddler Talk: 18-24 Months
Your child is now a year and a half, can you believe it? 18 to 24-months is such a fun age and you will continue to see tremendous growth in overall language development. During this time, your child will continue to understand more than he can express. He will demonstrate understanding of language by following simple directions (get your shoes, find mommy) and by looking towards or picking up a familiar object after it has been named. During this time, play skills will begin to expand and you will notice your child beginning to use two objects in play by giving a baby doll a bottle or stirring a pot…
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15 Ways to Explore Columbus from a Social Distance
Are you looking to get the kids out of the house this summer, but would like to continue to social distance yourself from the masses? Then read on! I have put together a compilation of outings that we have done in and around Central Ohio that I felt were safe ways to explore while still practicing social distancing. Spend a magical afternoon walking The Fairy Trail at Infirmary Mound Park and see if you can find all 24 of the fairy homes and businesses along the wildflower trail. You can find signs to the trail by starting to walk around the north side of Mirror Lake from the Shelter 6 parking lot.…