On Sunday, we had nice, sunny weather for our first ever Kayaking and Picnic Cluster Meeting at Bladensburg Waterfront Park. Many au pairs went kayaking and canoeing on the scenic Anacostia River. Some stayed back to enjoy the views and conversations with other au pairs.
Bladensburg Waterfront Park offers some of the most reasonably priced kayak and canoe rentals in the DC area. I would definitely recommend it, if you want to try kayaking or canoeing.
This week’s Camp Au Pair theme is Nature Exploration.
Crafts, recipes, activities, and games can all be found here on the Camp Au Pair – Nature Exploration pinboard.
Field Trips can be a great way for kids to learn and have new experiences. You can start observing nature at any local park or in your own backyard. If you want to take it a step further, Below is a list of other local places to go explore nature. Get permission from your host parents before any outings and check websites before you go for hours and information.
Safety note: When coming inside after you have been outside exploring nature, it’s always a good idea to check the children and yourself for ticks. For more information, take a look at this post.
Virtual Field Trips:
Webcams – You can do a Google search for websites with webcams that allow you to observe nature.
Videos – Look for fun videos on YouTube about nature.
Books – Check your bookshelves and/or stop by your local library and look for books on nature. You can also find many read aloud book videos on YouTube. Here are a few to get you started.
Image: toddleratplay.com
This week’s Camp Au Pair theme is Nature Exploration.
Crafts, recipes, activities, and games can all be found here on the Camp Au Pair – Nature Exploration pinboard.
Field Trips can be a great way for kids to learn and have new experiences. You can start observing nature at any local park or in your own backyard. If you want to take it a step further, Below is a list of other local places to go explore nature. Get permission from your host parents before any outings and check websites before you go for hours and information.
Safety note: When coming inside after you have been outside exploring nature, it’s always a good idea to check the children and yourself for ticks. For more information, take a look at this post.
Virtual Field Trips:
Webcams – You can do a Google search for websites with webcams that allow you to observe nature.
Videos – Look for fun videos on YouTube about nature.
Books – Check your bookshelves and/or stop by your local library and look for books on nature. You can also find many read aloud book videos on YouTube. Here are a few to get you started.
Image: toddleratplay.com
With winter break and the longest nights of the year approaching, try a magical project that will wow your entire family – ice lanterns and wreaths. Depending o
n the ages of your children, decide if a simple or more labor-intensive project is in order.
For the younger ones, try filling a balloon up partially with water and freezing it. After an hour or so, adjust your icy orb to coax some of the remaining liquid up the sides. Once solid, remove the balloon to reveal a vessel that will make Queen Elsa swoon.
Another option is to select an aluminum pie pan or plastic take-away tray and fill it with water. Arrange cranberries, pine boughs and sliced oranges then freeze. If you wish to make a hole in the ice to hang your creation, heat the tip of a skewer and carefully push it through the ice before suspending outside.
Finally, try filling a bucket or large container with water. Carefully tape a mason jar down to displace the water (or alternatively try using a bundt pan) and freeze. Once solid, remove the containers and add a candle or small light and enjoy! More detailed instructions can be found here.
For other unique craft project ideas, check out our Pinterest page!
When the weather is nice, we spend more time outdoors with the children. Playing in the back yard, at the playground or walking on nature trails are great ways to get fresh air and exercise.
What are ticks? – Ticks are small mites that attach themselves to skin and suck blood. Click HERE to see examples of ticks.
Where are ticks commonly found? – Ticks are normally found in areas with trees, bushes or tall grass. This includes back yards, parks, nature areas and most places you would be spending time with the children outdoors in the nice weather.
What needs to be done? – When you return home from areas where ticks might live, carefully check the children (their skin and scalp) for ticks.
Most ticks do not carry diseases, and most tick bites do not cause serious health problems. But it is important to remove a tick as soon as you find it. Removing the tick completely may help you avoid diseases such as Lyme Disease that the tick may pass on during feeding, or a skin infection where it bit you.
Click HERE for Instructions on Removing a tick from WebMD.com.
