Parks That Connect You to Nature Through All Your Senses | Conservation | Parks & Recreation Magazine

This article reminded me about how powerful it is to take time and pay attention to all your senses in nature.  Sometimes it is a personal choice or you are guided to rely on senses you don't usually use by activities such as a blindfold walk, however parks and outdoor spaces can entice you with plantings that smell wonderful or textures that make you want to touch near the trail.

This article  shows that certain elements of nature can make a big difference- especially when in high trafficked areas such as playgrounds.

http://www.parksandrecreation.org/2016/January/Parks-That-Connect-You-to-Nature-Through-All-Your-Senses/

As I was rereading the book Your Brain on Nature: The Science of Natures Influence on your Health, Happiness and Vitality by Eva M. Selhub MD and Alan Logan, Nd.  I came upon a quote by John Muir that starts off a chapter...although I can't find the authors say the Muir source referenced I am going to write it so I can find where it comes from...and because it reminds me to use my nose.

" The fragrance with which one is feasted in the woods is, like music, derived from a thousand untraceable sources..the whole air vibrates with myriad voices blended that we cannot analyze.  So also we breathe the fragrant violet, the rosiny pine and spicy fir, the rich, invigorating aroma of plushy bogs in which a thousand herbs are soaked. "

Thank you John Muir!

Toddler Tales and Trails Owls

We opened with a short owl activity where kids made owls and glued on feathers. Then we looked at stuffed owls that the Audubon has on display and we talked about their similarities and difference.  

Our stories were  Owl Moon by Jane Yolen and next we read Little Owl Lost by Chris Haughten. 

We listened to a silent owl wing.

We went on a walk noticing an owl vomitorium.  We also notice an eagles nest.  It was a beautiful Mt. Rainier Day so actually went over time and did a longer loop.  We played the game Owl and Mouse.  We also played another game where kids and adults had to touch a tree when it was "day" and run around pretend flying and hunting during the night. 

As a closing I asked children to talk with their adult about what was their favorite part of the day: the top activities were mystery bags and the hike.  In terms of nature the most engaging activities for kids was touching trees, discovering mole holes & for parents the owl vomiium and finding the new eagles nest (it was high up in the tree and not as meaningful to the little ones).