Let them explore...

Its ok to let your littles out into the mud. Out into the woods. Out into the fresh air.

A couple weeks ago we had a weekend of beautiful weather. In our house we operate under the motto of "there is no such thing as bad weather, only inappropriate dress". Since our littles were young i invested in outdoor clothing for all seasons. Fortunately we were lucky enough to just need some boots, and sweatshirts.

I sent the kids outside with one of their friends and a couple cousins. They spent six hours in the woods, creating and building.

Leaves for beds.

Kitchen

The kids ended up creating a "house" with a variety of rooms. They had bedrooms complete with leaf beds. The kids constructed a kitchen and a garage as well as a dining room. They had cleared the brush to create hall ways. They even took brush and built roofs over each of the rooms. Six hours and the kids came in one time for water and snacks. They were mad that the sun went down and they had to come inside, shower and get ready for school the next day.

Set the precedence. Tell the kids they need to find something to do out side for the next hour. That was the beginning and then six hours later they have created an amazing dwelling for creative play.