The following is by contributor Amy Anderson of Let’s Explore and Early Bird Homeschool.
I am always looking for fun, creative ways to get moving with my kids. Since my girls were toddlers we have been making our own backyard obstacle courses. Our whole family can participate in gathering items, setting up the course, and testing our skills in a friendly family competition.
One of the greatest things about a homemade obstacle course is that you can use whatever items you have on hand. A stuffed animal slalom course? Sure! Hurdles made from rolled-up beach towels? Absolutely! As my girls get older, their creativity inspires more elaborate obstacle courses each time.
Some kids like the addition of a stopwatch to keep track of their course times. Other kids would rather just go through the course for fun. Either way, you’ll be adding some fun family fitness to your day!
Here are some of the many activities we have incorporated into our courses over the years. Think of this list as a create-your-own obstacle course menu – pick and choose the activities that match your child’s skill level and the materials you have on hand. Better yet, let your child be involved in choosing the activities and setting up the course. [Read more...]
Night Tree
Mem Fox is my favourite children’s author and 
The mouse might be small, but he is brave and clever. The reader warns him that a big, hungry bear will find the mouse’s strawberry…”no matter where it is hidden, or who is guarding it, or how it is disguised.” Together, however, the reader and mouse are able to come up with a perfect solution: sharing!
I love sharing poetry with my girls – poems are a great example of just how fun words can be! If we’re in the mood for something silly, we often pull out one of Jack Prelutsky’s poetry collections, 
