Holiday madness is in full
swing; shopping, cooking, cleaning, parties, out-of-town relatives. Even the
kids can feel stressed out with all the anticipation and distracted parents.
However there is a great antidote when things get hectic and overwhelming: Head
outdoors. Even if there is a chill in the air, time outside connecting with
Nature can lower the stress level, revive the spirits, and add to the
enchantment of the season.
The National Wildlife Federation’s
Be Out
There campaign has provided us with a few ideas to make the outdoors
a welcome escape from holiday overload:
Outdoor Tree-Trimming – Adopt a tree in your yard or
neighborhood – find out what kind it is and decide to visit it at least once
every season. Decorate it with things birds like to eat.
Scavenger Hunt – Give the kids a list of natural objects to
find in the yard or neighborhood – pinecones, acorns, different shape leaves –
and make it a contest to see who can find everything first.
Decorate with Mother Nature – Have the kids use some of the
treasures they found on the scavenger hunt to create pretty centerpieces,
wreaths or other holiday décor. You can save a living tree by bringing home a
deciduous branch and decorating it instead of the traditional evergreen. It's
the ultimate in eco-chic. Plus, there are no needles to lose and your ornaments
are more obvious!
Christmas Bird Count – Get outside, learn about your
feathered neighbors and help scientists monitor the health and well-being of
local bird populations. Find out how to do this at
www.audubon.org/Bird/cbc
Make An Elf House – Santa’s elves need a place to stay
while compiling Santa’s list. Create an elf house using the nature in your
neighborhood.
What You Need:
One clean paper ˝ gallon milk or juice carton
One brown grocery bag
Glue
Paint Brush
Paper plate or bowl for holding glue
Scissors
Natural objects like pinecones, acorns, pine needles, moss, leaves, bark
Directions:
Wash and dry carton, inside and out
Cut the brown bag and wrap the carton in it tightly. Use glue to hold the paper
to the carton. Let it dry.
Make a door for the elves, windows, a chimney, singles or window boxes.
Now head outside for all your construction and decorating needs collecting
things on the ground. Glue them onto the house.
Secure it in a nearby tree
Check your elf house for notes from Santa, and leave notes for him in return
which the elves can deliver.
More ideas for outdoor holiday fun can be found at
BeOutThere.org.
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