Category: Outside Fun

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For the Home Home Outside Fun

6 of the Best Ways to Seriously Upgrade Your Outdoor Space

Most people tend to treat their backyard as little more than an afterthought. However, that’s the wrong approach to take. After all, there’s so much you can do to upgrade your outdoor space. With a few simple modifications, you can turn it into a place you enjoy. With a few changes, you can transform it into your favorite part of your property. These upgrades are some of the best you can do, and it won’t be long before you’re basking in your new, awesome backyard.

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Upgrade Your Outdoor Space
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How to Seriously Upgrade Your Outdoor Space

Hire A Landscaper

It’s possible to get your hands dirty and handle the landscaping yourself. However, unless you’re willing to dedicate plenty of time to make it look good (and have the skills to do so), then it would probably be better to hire a landscaper to do the job for you. They’re much more affordable than you might think, and they can help to make your yard not just look presentable but to look outstanding. Worth every penny.

Create a Social Space

There’s nothing better than inviting friends and family over for a few hours of outdoor fun. Spending time with your family under a shining sun in a beautifully landscaped yard will bring so much joy and relaxation. However, you’ll need to create a social space in your yard for this to happen. Creating a social space isn’t overly complicated and only requires a few things. If you have a patio, pergola retractable awning, outdoor furniture, and a grill, you’ll have everything you need to host your loved ones. All those things will also allow you to enjoy your yard when you have no visitors. 

Add a Water Feature to Upgrade Your Outdoor Space

If there’s one thing that can help make an outdoor space to the next level, it’s a water feature. A water feature makes the outdoor space feel zen and calm. It can also invite some wildlife into your yard. Picture stepping out of your back door on a fresh spring morning, with a cup of coffee in your hand, listening to the sound of running water and passing birds. It’s an image made in our dreams. 

Add Lighting

Making the most of your outdoor space requires lighting. You can choose from regular outdoor lights, string lights, or you can add some twinkling lights. With lights, you and your guests will enjoy using the space day and night.

Summer Goodness 

You’ll want to make your yard a great space in both the warm and cold months. The mechanics of enjoying your yard in the summer is pretty basic. The sun does most of the work, after all. But a good grill and hammock can help you enjoy the season to the max. You’ll also want to have plenty of seating and a table or two.

If you have kids, there are other things you could implement for summer fun. Consider installing a swing set or slide. Kids also love jumping on the trampoline but get one with a net all the way around for safety purposes.

Other ideas for outdoor fun for kids include:

Winter Goodness

You can still have an enjoyable yard in the winter months when temperatures are frigid. A fire pit will help you spend winter evenings outside, looking at the stars. If you wanted to step things up, you could consider installing a jacuzzi or hot tub. There are not too many things better than spending winter days surrounded by snow and being immersed in hot water. 

How to Seriously Upgrade Your Outdoor Space

If you want to upgrade your outdoor space, these tips can help. You can make your outdoor space perfect in the summer and winter, allowing you to utilize it year-round. Do you have any other tips? Leave a comment and let us know!

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For the Home Home Outside Fun

Should You Install a Pool – or Buy a Hot Tub Instead? Pros and Cons

Swimming pools and hot tubs can both bring a sense of luxury to a home. They’re both great for having a soak in the summer, but which one is worth installing? Ultimately, it depends on your goals and the available space, but whether you should install a pool or hot tub also depends on a few other factors. This post explains the reasons for considering each one.

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Why install a pool?

Pools are ideal for avid swimmers – you can stay fit by practicing your lengths at home. On a hot summer’s day, they’re also great for lounging around in, and they can make a great party piece.

Kids love swimming pools, and while some parents worry about safety concerns, there are various measures you can take to make a pool safer when not in use.

Pools come in all shapes and sizes. You can work with pool installation companies to find the right shape for your backyard. One surprising aspect is that you can even build an indoor pool by converting your basement.

You may not get as much use out of an outdoor pool if you live in a cooler climate unless you’re willing to spend extra on a heated pool. Of course, indoor pools can also solve this issue but can be more expensive to build if you need to make other structural changes.

One important thing to remember: if you move to a new home, you can’t take your pool with you. A pool is generally only worth investing in if you plan on staying in your home long-term. However, it could add value to your home. Inflatable pools are an exception to this, and they’re also a great budget option.

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Why buy a hot tub?

You cannot swim in a hot tub, but you can spend plenty of time relaxing. These water features are built specifically for lounging in, so bear this in mind. Like a pool, they can be great party pieces. Or you can use them to relax alone after a hard day’s work.

Hot tubs are smaller than pools, and you may find that they’re better suited for a smaller space. You can also take a hot tub with you if you move to a new home.

While you can get a hot tub installed as a permanent feature, portable hot tubs are more popular. You should still note that transporting them may not always be easy, especially if it’s a large hot tub.

There are various models to explore. While you can invest in some large and expensive hot tubs, there are also cheaper inflatable options if you’re on a tight budget. 

Both – or neither?

If you’ve got the money, there’s nothing to stop you from buying both. You could even build a swim spa, which is a combination of the two. It’s important to note that a swim spa can be expensive, of course.

Of course, there are instances where you may want to avoid both. Pools and hot tubs both require a lot of maintenance – even the cheaper inflatable options. Make sure that the usage you get out of them is worth the upkeep and maintenance.

While many people like the idea of a pool or hot tub, some people soon regret these purchases. The regret sets in when they realize the amount of work needed to keep them safe and hygienic. Make sure you’re prepared to keep them maintained and consider everything before you install a pool or hot tub. 

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For the Home Home How To Outside Fun

Blessed With A Bijou Garden? Here’s How To Make The Most Of It

When a real estate manager describes a bijou garden, they mean small and cramped but elegant. A bijou garden isn’t always a bad thing, as long as you can make the most out of it. While some people want plenty of outdoor space for their children or their pets to roam around and for them to entertain, others know that even the smallest of gardens can be perfect with a bit of creativity.

When it comes to making the most of what you have, employing your imagination is essential to making the most of the area and creating an outdoor refuge tailored to your needs. It is not about the amount of space you have but about what you do with it. Making the most of your small space requires being creative and keeping it well maintained by staying on top of deadheading flowers, mowing the lawn, power washing the patio, and engaging in tree care. 

If you are searching for some creative ideas to liven up your garden or outdoor space, we have got some excellent suggestions for you to consider.

***This post contains affiliate links. It costs you nothing extra, but I may receive a small commission.***

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How To Make The Most Of a Bijou Garden

Add Different Levels

Adding several levels to your garden is a great technique to give a tiny space more depth and perspective. Consider using crates to stack plant pots instead of placing them all at the same level on the ground. Arrange them along a fence or wall, and decorate them with garden ornaments or plants to complete the look. If you have the space, establish divisions in your yard to give it shape and break up the area with a small deck or patio for outside eating chairs. The result will be a focal point in your garden and gives the ability to construct the perfect relaxing place before moving on to another section.

Add Pops of color

Bright colors proclaim sunshine and warm weather. If you want to make your yard more cheerful, pay attention to how you decorate it. Choose brightly colored furniture or ornamental objects that evoke the spirit of summer to offer a simple method to liven up your yard without exerting too much effort or taking up too much of the available area.

Consider painting fences or walls in your chosen colors to connect the entire color scheme. Make use of abstract colors to create a lively and quirky atmosphere. Incorporate a theme that runs throughout your garden for a more sophisticated design. For example, whites and blues for a traditional Mediterranean aesthetic, browns and green for a natural feel in your garden, or modern grey, black, and white for an on-trend look are all options.

Fill the Area With Plants

Filling the garden with flowers is another method to bring color to the space. Brightly colored plants in a flower bed or pots may instantly draw the attention of anyone who enters your outside environment. If you have a limited amount of ground space, consider using a wall planter. When it comes to being creative with your space, think vertically and decorate above and below the ground. Plant them in the correct location and at the appropriate time of year.

Plants require a great deal of attention to ensure that they thrive and appear their best throughout the year. Take care not to damage flowers by deadheading them and removing any leaves or debris that may have accumulated.

Upcycle

Items in your house can be upcycled and given a new lease of life in your garden, and there are many possibilities. You can use an old sink or bathtub as a birdbath, water feature, or planter in your space.

It is possible to transform bicycles into decorative artworks by cleaning them up, hanging them on walls, and adding plants. The same is true for any shelves or storage units that are no longer in use. Determine a unique design for your garden that does not require spending a lot of money by using your creativity to brainstorm ideas.

Light Up Your Bijou Garden

Lighting can dramatically alter the appearance and feel of your landscape in an instant. It is not only about security illumination, either. Decorative solar lights, fairy lights, and other lighting fixtures can bring the space’s appearance together by adding a bit of that “wow” factor.

Multi-colored Edison bulbs strung from fence panels or hanging from pergolas and gazebos are popular for outdoor lighting fixtures. If you want a more discrete appearance, choose wired lights that are nearly invisible until it lights up. Additionally, use garden lighting and lamps that look excellent during the day and provide lighting during the evenings.

Make The Most Of a Bijou Garden

If you have a small space, you can still make the most of it. Implement some of these tips to make your area elegant and functional. Do you have any other tips to add? Leave a comment and let us know!

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Adulting Allergies Holiday How To Outside Fun Summer

5 Tips for Hosting a Successful Potluck at Home

5 Tips for Hosting a Successful Potluck at Home

Potlucks are a fun way to interact with your neighbors and create meaningful connections for future purposes. They’re also excellent for trying various tasty recipes without breaking the bank and give your kids the opportunity to bond with other kids. However, just like any other party, you need to carefully plan out the activities and prepare your home to avoid a stressful and disorganized event. If you’re looking to organize a potluck party soon, these tips will help you host a successful potluck at home.

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Tips for Hosting a Successful Potluck at Home

1. Prepare your space

As the potluck’s host, it’s vital to consider your setup options and space to determine how your planning and organization will be. Whether you decide to host it indoors or outdoors, you want your home to be presentable. For instance, you may want to declutter and clean your kitchen, bathrooms, dining area, and living room if you’re going to host indoors.

It will also be best to mow your lawn, clean your windows and fix any roof damage for a pleasing outdoor space if you want to host an outdoor potluck. Additionally, remember to provide adequate seating for your guests and tables to arrange the meals. 

2. Create a theme

While classic potlucks allow your guests to bring their favorite dishes, it’s possible to have duplicate meals. Not only will it make the event boring, but it might also cause food waste which isn’t a sustainable way to go. Therefore, it will be prudent to create a potluck theme to bring out your guests’ creative instincts and provide various delicious meals for the occasion.

You can choose themes such as family heritage or salad supper potlucks; the key is to let your imagination run free. You may also want to assign specific courses to your guests to ensure that you have a complete meal plan (appetizer, main dish, and dessert).

3. Don’t forget the drinks

Every party needs drinks, and potlucks are no exception. Drinks are a fun addition to your meals, and they keep you and your guests hydrated and happy. Fortunately, you can incorporate many drinks to make it more exciting for your guests.

While bringing in enough alcoholic drinks for the party, you may also want to include some non-alcoholic beverages for the kids and guests who don’t take alcohol. You can also create a champagne punch, a rhubarb lemonade slush, and fruit juices with a twist to tantalize your guests’ taste buds. 

4. Factor in dietary restrictions

It might be awkward for guests not to eat anything due to their special dietary needs. Not only will they feel uninvited, but they might also see you in a negative light.

For these reasons, it will be prudent to know of their dietary restrictions ahead of the event. It will also help to use fresh ingredients and provide recipe names and potential allergens that they contain. It allows the guests to know what foods to avoid. 

5. Prepare a playlist

Music creates a fun atmosphere for an event, and you should incorporate it into your party. You can choose songs that go along with your potluck theme or general songs that get everyone in a good mood. It’s best to prepare your playlist ahead of the party to allow for a smooth music flow. 

potluck at home

Hosting a Successful Potluck at Home

Potlucks are fun and relaxing, and you want to have fun while organizing yours. These tips will help you plan a successful potluck at home that your guests will remember for a long time.

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Adulting Allergies Big kid fun Family Activities Holiday How To Outside Fun Parenting Spring

Holiday Safety Tips: Don’t Let Mishaps Steal Your Spring Holiday Cheer

Holiday Safety Tips: Don't Let Mishaps Steal Your Spring Holiday Cheer

The coronavirus pandemic has lowered the possibilities of individuals enjoying the Easter holiday. Easter is a joyful celebration, and you can make it possible with a few holiday safety tips. Covid-19 isn’t the only worry, either, with food allergies and other issues being possible.

The traditional Easter activities may be an excellent way to make memories with friends and families. However, you might be worried, especially if you are hosting an egg hunt, that things will go badly. With these holiday safety tips, though, you will be well on your way to a successful Easter celebration.

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Holiday Safety Tips for Easter

Food Safety

You have to protect your family and guests from food allergies. Online shopping can come in very handy for this, as you get a wider variety of allergy-free foods. You can order some candies that are gluten, peanut, egg, and dairy-free. Additionally, you can go for snacks like popcorn, cheese crackers, or other allergy-free snacks to replace the other treats.

Food safety doesn’t stop at food allergies, and you must make sure the food is cooked and stored properly. Eggs should be thoroughly cooked and cooled before decorating them.

If you use hard-boiled eggs for the Easter egg hunt, hide them minutes before the hunt. Hard-boiled eggs should be eaten within two hours of removing them from the refrigerator. If you are concerned about the safety of hiding real eggs, switch them with plastic ones, instead.

Related Post: Living With Allergies: Our Journey to the Diagnosis

Fire Safety

Fire incidents increase drastically during the holidays. You can easily get preoccupied during big family gatherings. To prevent occurrences of fire that can ruin your holiday cheer:

  • Avoid congestion in the kitchen and try as much as possible to keep children out of the kitchen.
  • Always make sure that you are alert when in the kitchen. Don’t use the stove or oven when you are sleepy or drunk. Don’t leave anything unattended; use a timer always.
  • Whenever there is a stove fire, turn off the burners and keep the door open.
  • Be cautious when frying things. In case of a small fire, restrict the flame by gliding the lid to cover the pan and turn off the burner.

Pet Safety

The spring holiday cannot be complete without your furry friends. Ensure that they also get to enjoy their festivities by protecting them from all known toxins and dangers. As a pet owner, you know that the chemicals present in chocolate can be deadly to cats and dogs. It can cause coma, seizures, heart failure, or even death.

Some flowers can be deadly when consumed by cats, so you must be careful with those, too. Flowers like lilies, which bloom during spring, can cause kidney failure or even death in cats. Check your cat for signs of poisoning like fatigue, lack of appetite, and vomiting. Contact a vet immediately if you suspect that your cat has consumed any of the toxic plants.

Egg-hunt Safety

When inside the house, avoid hiding eggs in light sockets, near electric outlets, and in glasses. Instead, keep them below the participants’ eye level and always count and track the eggs you hid.

When outside, avoid hiding eggs in any foliage rooms, animal homes, or play areas. Throw away any eggs that have been cracked to ensure the candy doesn’t become contaminated.

Holiday Safety Tips

The spring holiday comes with many enjoyable family activities, and as a parent or guardian, you need to make sure that you keep safety in mind. Hunt safely, keep food allergies in mind, practice egg safety, protect your pets, and avoid fire accidents.

Do you have any other Easter safety tips to add? Leave a comment and let me know!

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Adulting Decor For the Home How To Outside Fun Spring Summer

5 Easy Ways To Make The Most Of Your Balcony

Make The Most Of Your Balcony

Does your apartment or house have a balcony? By making a few improvements, you could turn this space into the ultimate outdoor retreat. You have many options when it comes to what you want to do to the space, and you can truly make the most of your balcony by implementing some new ideas.

***This post contains affiliate links. It costs you nothing extra, but I may receive a small commission.***

Make The Most Of A Balcony
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How to Make The Most Of Your Balcony

1. Add Some Cozy Chairs

If you want to sit out on your balcony, you’ll need some chairs. An outdoor lounge suite might be out of the question if you only have a tiny balcony, however, you needn’t settle for cheap plastic chairs.

Cozy options such as these Adirondack chairs from The Best Adirondack Chair Company could be the perfect choice for reading a book or sunbathing. You may even be able to fit a loveseat on your balcony for romantic home dates with a partner. If you’re very limited for space, a pair of cozy bar stools with footrests could be an option. 

2. Add a Small Table

A small table could allow you to eat meals on your balcony or even work on a laptop. You could consider a simple rattan side table or a small glass coffee table. If you’ve got bar stools on your balcony, you may need a slightly higher table – it may be possible to fix a table to your balcony rail. Collapsible tables could be another option for saving space. 

3. Grow Some Outdoor Plants

If you want to get into gardening but don’t have a backyard, you could still use your balcony as a space for growing outdoor plants. Narrow potted plants are the best option as they don’t take up too much room.

You can also hang flower boxes from the railings or hang flower baskets on the walls. Many different colorful flowers can grow in boxes and baskets including begonias, fuchsia, and geraniums. 

4. Light it Up

If you want to enjoy your balcony in the evening, outdoor lighting is essential. You don’t want anything too bright, as your balcony is likely only to be a small space. Ambient and low lighting options could be worth looking into.

You could hang string lights across the railings or from the ceiling. Alternatively, you could add some wall lights. These lights could be battery powered or solar powered to save you energy and reduce the need for electrical wiring. If you live in a rented apartment, you may not be able to get permission to wire in lights, anyway.

5. Install Some Heating

Your balcony could start to get cool in the evening. Adding an outdoor heat source could help to keep the space warm. A fire pit is unfortunately not a possibility, but you may be able to consider an electric patio heater.

There are electric wall heaters that can be fixed to walls and tabletop electric heaters that you can buy. These outdoor heat sources don’t take up a lot of space and are perfect for keeping you warm. Some of these are solar-powered, preventing the need to wire them up.

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Make The Most Of Your Balcony

Your balcony can be the perfect place to spend time relaxing. Envision yourself reading a book or enjoying a drink at the end of a long day. Make the most of your balcony so that you can enjoy the space that you have.

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Big Kid Big kid fun Family Activities Free Activities Infant/Toddler Learning Kindergarten Age Outside Fun Parenting Spring

5 Exciting Spring Activities to Enjoy with the Kids

spring activities

As the sun begins to shine and the temperature gets a little warmer, there are many activities you can start doing with your kids. While winter weather can make it tricky to get out and about, springtime opens up a wide range of possibilities. To begin planning your spring activities schedule, take a look at these five spring activities to enjoy with your kids.

Spring Activities
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Spring Activities For Families

1. Go on Nature Walks

Not only are nature walks a lot of fun, but they’re also suitable for kids of all ages and won’t cost you a thing. Before you set off, create a checklist of things for your kids to look out for. From different types of leaves to flowers and insects, you’ll never run out of things to search for.

Any environment can be suitable for a nature walk but, if you want to turn your walk into a whole day’s adventure, take a trip to local beauty spots, forests, or woodlands. 

2. Focus on Fitness

Encouraging your kids to be active is a great way to enhance their health and well-being. What’s more – burning off some energy can help them feel more relaxed at home, too!

Make fitness fun by incorporating age-appropriate equipment and toys, like Pony Cycle or a swingball set. When you’ve got the equipment at home, it’s easy to keep your kids entertained and active. 

There are also exercise videos for kids on YouTube for rainy days. My kids like to turn on fun kid songs that they can dance to, which is a fun way to get active, too.

3. Host a Treasure Hunt

Every kid enjoys hunting for treasure, so you can be sure that this will be hit. Hide prizes and clues around the yard and encourage your kids to find as much treasure as they can.

You can adjust the difficulty of the clues (and hiding spots!) depending on your kids’ ages but, if you have pets, make sure they don’t find the treasure first. If the weather lets you down, it’s easy to host a treasure hunt indoors too, so keep this in mind for rainy days. 

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4. Make a Birdhouse

If you have an outdoor space, you can inspire your kids by helping them to make a birdhouse this spring. If you’re into crafts, then you might have what it takes to design and produce a birdhouse from scratch.

Alternatively, you can buy a pre-prepared kit and help your kids put it together and decorate it. Once it’s in place, you can have endless fun putting food out and watching the birds that come to visit. 

5. Create a Fairy Garden

Let your kids unleash their imagination and create their very own fairy garden. If you have a spare flowerpot or even a plastic container, you can help your kids fill it with soil and plant flowers and seeds. With a few sprinkles of glitter and some optional extras like rocks, paperchains, and ornaments, your kids can create the ultimate fairy garden. 

Spring Activities for Kids 2021

With so many great activities to enjoy, springtime can be an exciting time for kids and parents. By keeping things fresh and introducing new activities regularly, you can ensure that your kids will be entertained right through to the summer. 

What spring activities do you have planned for your kids? Leave a comment and let me know!

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Big Kid Big kid fun Family Activities For the Home Home How To Kindergarten Age Outside Fun Parenting Sensory Play Spring Summer Toddler and Preschool Age Fun

5 Easy Ways to Get Your Kids Outside in the Yard

Get Kids Outside

Spending time outside is very beneficial for people of all ages. Sometimes children may lack interest in going outside, however, and be more into electronics and indoor games. If you’re finding it challenging to get the kids away from those screens and out in the fresh air, there are plenty of ways to get your kids outside.

Spring is the best time of year to plant a few vegetables or even welcome wildlife. You can create a sensory, exciting space outside that will entice even the most indoorsy children. Here are five easy ways to get kids out in the yard.

***This post contains affiliate links. It costs you nothing extra, but I may receive a small commission.***

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How to Get Your Kids Outside

1. Yard Games

Invest in a couple of yard games. You can play these together as a family, or your children can invite friends over. Add a personal touch with these custom cornhole bags, for example, https://www.cornholeworldwide.com/products/cornhole-bags/custom-cornhole-bags/. You can have them personalized with the name or message of your choice. They make great gifts and just might incentivize kids to play more outside.

2. Grow Your Own

Growing your own vegetables is a fun way to get children interested in gardening as well as healthy eating. There are plenty of easy vegetables to grow with kids, such as carrots and potatoes, so you don’t need to be expertly green-thumbed. It’s one of the best ways to encourage kids to be productive and happy.

3. Start Seeds Inside

If you want to gauge your child’s interest beforehand, you could start seeds off inside. Plant seeds in glass jars so they can see the roots growing, which will engage their curiosity. You can then move the plants outside.

If you don’t have much yard space but would still like to get your kids interested in gardening, here are some low-maintenance indoor plants. You could even set up window boxes or a small balcony garden.

4. Welcome Wildlife

With a few quick upgrades, you can turn your yard into a wildlife habitat. The children will enjoy spotting and naming the wild visitors that come your way.

Create zones in your yard for critters to forage and hide. Let your lawn grow wilder, or build a rock garden. Add a water source and a bit of food and you’ll easily attract a variety of wildlife.

You could make your own bird feeders from recycled materials, or for a bigger project, build a bee hotel from old wood and bamboo. Another idea is to simply drill a few holes into some untreated wood for a basic home for insects.

5. Create a Sensory Space

Turn your garden into a treat for all the senses by adding plenty of textures, sights, and smells for your children to explore. Create a sensory garden by adding colorful and fragrant flowers which will also attract butterflies, bees, and other pollinators.

An amazing sensory space can be from a swimming pool that is specifically designed with little ones in mind. There is nothing more exciting than splashing in the water on a hot summer’s day. Work with a reputable company like CaliforniaPools.com, so you get the best pool for little water explorers. 

You could even consider a water feature such as a pond or fountain. The sound of the water is incredibly relaxing and it will make a nice home for fish and amphibians. With sensory stimulation and fun activities, your children will love being out in the yard.

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Get Your Kids Outside

It is so important to get your kids outside, and it doesn’t have to be a struggle. By setting your yard up specifically for the kids, your kids will be eager to get outside every day.

What have you done to your yard to get your kids outside? Leave a comment and let me know!

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Big Kid Big kid fun Family Activities Free Activities How To Outside Fun Sensory Play Teenager Toddler and Preschool Age Learning

Can You Grow a Pine Tree From a Pine Cone? A Lesson In Sustainability For Kids

can you grow a pine tree from a pine cone, sustainability for kids, teaching kids about the environment, earth day, love our earth

I saw this picture being shared on Facebook and Pinterest where a pinecone was planted into soil. The photo showed that the pine cone was about half-buried in soil, with the top half sticking out. There were sprouts coming from the top of the pinecone, indicating that it’s possible to grow a pine tree from a pine cone.

This left me wondering… is it possible? Can you really grow a pine tree from a pine cone?

can you grow a pine tree from a pine cone, sustainability for kids, teaching kids about the environment, earth day, love our earth

The Research About Growing a Pine Tree From a Pine Cone

I tried to find information about this, and couldn’t find a conclusive answer. Just when I thought I had, someone else had a different point to make.

I couldn’t find any accounts of someone successfully going a pine tree from a pine cone. Plus, many people did explain that it is pretty much impossible.

Some people thought it would work, though, and I just have to test the image that was floating around.

With that being said, I found literally no confirmed answer. I couldn’t even find a source for the image that was floating around social media. **Updated to add that the social media image can be found here**

The Information We Did Find

Before we tried this for ourselves, I assigned our teenager the task of learning a couple of things about pine trees. She had to share the information with the younger siblings before we went around the yard hunting for pine cones.

One of the things she shared was that there are male and female pine cones. Am I the only adult who didn’t know this?!

With that fun fact, we took all of the pine cones we collected and played a game. We made teams and worked together to sort the pine cones into two pines; male and female. We also learned that the female pine cones are the ones that carry the seeds.

Finally, we learned that trees produce oxygen and that oxygen is what we breathe.

can you grow a pine tree from a pine cone, sustainability for kids, teaching kids about the environment, earth day, love our earth

Growing Pine Trees From Pine Cones

So, since I couldn’t find the actual answer online, we decided to figure it out for ourselves.

Materials

  • Empty 2-liter soda bottle
  • X-acto knife (or you can use a pocket knife)
  • Soil
  • Pinecone

This is the exact knife I used. I use it for pretty much everything, to be honest. LOL.

Yes, that’s an affiliate link, which means I’ll make a small commission at no additional cost to you. I truly do use this x-acto knife and stand behind it, however.

Instructions

1. Cut the soda bottle so that you only have the bottom portion left. Say, 1/4 of the bottle.

2. Add soil to the soda bottle bottom.

3. Create a hole in the soil that is big enough to fit 1/2 of the pinecone.

4. Fill dirt back in around the pinecone. Only the top half should be showing.

5. Water everyday and monitor the progress.

can you grow a pine tree from a pine cone, sustainability for kids, teaching kids about the environment, earth day, love our earth

Did it work?!

Ok, so since we know that this method for growing a tree isn’t for sure going to work, just bear with me. I’ll update on the progress (if there is any) right away.

In the meantime, however, do this project with us!! Help your kids plant their pinecone so you can see for yourself if it is possible to grow a pine tree from a pine cone.

We’re all looking for ways to teach kids from home, so why not mix in a fun science lesson?

What do you think will happen? Is it possible to grow a pine tree from a pine cone?

I had the kids all draw pictures of what they think will happen. Nevaeh was the only one who thought we would have to remove the seeds from the pinecone to grow a tree. The others thought the tree would grow from the pinecone.

Lets be honest, I think Nevaeh is right. Tell me what you think.

Will a tree begin to grow out of the planted pinecone? Tell me the reason behind your answer! I can’t wait to see what everyone thinks!

Need another project idea?

Check out this paper mache diamondback rattlesnake! Using paper mache is so easy, and the post has a recipe to make it with ingredients you already have on hand!

Paper mache, school art projects, art projects, 3D art, creativity for kids, paper mache diamondback rattlesnake