LONG LIVE OUTDOOR PLAY
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    • About Valerie
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      • Canada's 150 coolest playgrounds
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  • Our Adventures
    • Activities and Bucket Lists
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Summer bucket lists help beat boredom....

6/5/2017

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Ahhh.....summer! How I've always dreamed of summer, and sun, and all things hot....since winter. If you don't sign up for too many sports or activities during summer break, how on earth do you plan on keeping the kids entertained all summer? I believe boredom is a good thing and all kids should experience it every summer as it drives creativity BUT it can also drive parents crazy!!

We truly love bucket lists as they are a great learning tool to use at home. Building a bucket list with your kids (especially for the summer)
  • encourages and teaches goal setting
  • motivates and challenges them to learn and try new things
  • builds a sense of accomplishment
  • helps beat boredom! 
  • becomes something for them to talk about or share with their friends at school
  • gets everyone outside and moving
  • creates childhood memories which gives them a love of nature
Picture

Summer Playground Bucket List

We have created a sample Summer Playground bucket list. Not everything on this list requires a playground and remember sometimes the simplest activities can be the most memorable. If you're following me on Instagram share your #Summerplaygroundbucketlist adventures! (just remember to make your account or posts public). We'd love to see what you and your kids come up with for their Bucket Lists!
  1. visit a local playground!
  2. cool off in a local splash pad!
  3. visit a local beach (but don't forget to check the beach health updates first)
  4. make your own ice cream....yum
  5. eat your way through the Unofficial Durham Region Ice Cream Trail!
  6. have a reusable sponge water fight (instead of a water balloon fight)
  7. break out the sidewalk chalk
  8. go for a walk and have a picnic
  9. read a book under a tree
  10. go star gazing
  11. visit a local farm
  12. go geocaching
  13. explore a local fishing hole
  14. harness the power of the sun - make your own smores
  15. host a backyard science experiment day
  16. try to visit as many of Canada's 150 coolest playgrounds as you can!
  17. ​go hiking in a Provincial Park

Remember, do not make the list too long as it may seem impossible to accomplish before you start a
Fall Playground Bucket List!
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Build a Spring Bucket List for good health

3/29/2017

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Warmer weather has finally arrived! Time to dust off those Spring coats, rain boots, splash pants, and umbrellas to get back outside. Spring is the perfect season to renew and re-energize your love for the outdoors when rainbows come back to brighten our longer days after the rain.

​We truly love bucket lists as they are a great learning tool to use at home. Building a bucket list with your kids 
  • encourages and teaches goal setting
  • motivates and challenges them to learn and try new things
  • builds a sense of accomplishment 
  • becomes something for them to talk about or share with their friends at school
  • gets everyone outside and moving
  • creates childhood memories which gives them a love of nature
Picture

Spring Playground Bucket List

We have created a sample Spring Playground bucket list. Not everything on this list requires a playground and remember sometimes the simplest activities can be the most memorable. If you're following me on Instagram share your #Springplaygroundbucketlist adventures! (just remember to make your account or posts public). We'd love to see what you and your kids come up with for their Bucket Lists!
  1. go on a worm or bug hunt
  2. build a fairy garden
  3. fly a Kite
  4. splash around in the rain (here are some of our favorite rainy day activities)
  5. plant a garden (flowers, veggies, herbs, whatever your family likes) Local Community Gardens (for those who don't have their own space)
  6. break out the sidewalk chalk
  7. go for a walk and have a picnic
  8. read a book under a tree
  9. visit a new playground or park (there are a lot to explore on our site!)
  10. go bird watching (a great GTA resource of where to go and what to look for)
  11. host a scavenger hunt
  12. craft a spring crown or bracelet
  13. create a backyard obstacle course
  14. host a backyard science experiment day
  15. cuddle with baby animals at a local farm (some local Durham Region petting farms you can visit: Wild Things Petting Farm;  Lionel's Farm;  WindReach Farm)

Remember, do not make the list too long as it may seem impossible to accomplish before you start a Summer Playground Bucket List!
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A Winter Bucket List is good for everyone

1/2/2017

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​After the hustle, bustle and excitement of the Holidays is over winter can get everyone feeling a bit down. But this wonderous season that we are so lucky to be able to enjoy has a lot to offer! Even if you skip the really cold -25C days and opt for the more balmy -5C outdoor winter explorations you can still get everyone out and enjoying the cold.

We truly love bucket lists as they are a great learning tool to use at home. Building a bucket list with your kids 
  • encourages and teaches goal setting
  • motivates and challenges them to learn and try new things
  • builds a sense of accomplishment 
  • becomes something for them to talk about or share with their friends at school
  • gets everyone outside during the cooler weather
  • creates childhood memories which gives them a love of nature
Picture

Winter Playground Bucket List

To get you started, we have created a sample Winter Playground bucket list. Not everything on this list requires a playground and remember sometimes the simplest activities can be the most memorable. If you're following me on Instagram share your #Winterplaygroundbucketlist adventures! (just remember to make your account or posts public). We'd love to see what you and your kids come up with for their Bucket Lists!
  1. Build a snowman
  2. Play pin the smile or nose on the snowman
  3. Build a snow fort
  4. Build a quinzee (easier than a proper igloo with blocks)
  5. Jump into a pile of powdery snow
  6. Make a snow angel
  7. Play Fox and Goose tag
  8. Host a snowball target practice
  9. Track Yeti footprints
  10. Identify animal tracks in the snow
  11. Play 'sardines' or 'manhunt' in a park or playground (rules found here)
  12. Play a traditional game of hide and seek (snow piles and snow forts make this extra fun!)
  13. Create art in ice
  14. Watch bubbles freeze
  15. Go sledding on a local hill (some resources can be found here)
  16. Go skiing or tubing (local Durham Region resources)
  17. Create a snowy obstacle course (think tunnels, climbing mounds, mazes, be creative!)

Keep in mind Ontario Winter Playground Safety; if the ground is frozen, the playground isn't safe.

​Remember, do not make the list too long as it may seem impossible to accomplish before you start a
​Spring Playground Bucket List! 
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Fall Playground Bucket List, and why every kid needs one

8/28/2016

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At the end of summer some kids are looking forward to going back to school and some most definitely are not. Fall is a beautiful time of year to be outside, but after summer weather passes we prefer to want to curl up and stay warm inside while awaiting winter's arrival.

This year why not make Fall something to look forward to? All kids need a bucket list as it is a great learning tool to use at home. Building a bucket list with your kids 
  • encourages and teaches goal setting
  • motivates and challenges them to learn and try new things
  • builds a sense of accomplishment 
  • becomes something for them to talk about or share with their friends at school
  • gets everyone outside during the cooler weather
  • creates childhood memories which gives them a love of nature
Picture

Fall Playground Bucket List

To get you started, we have created a sample Fall Playground bucket list. Not everything on this list requires a playground and remember sometimes the simplest activities can be the most memorable. If you're following me on Instagram share your #Fallplaygroundbucketlist adventures! (just remember to make your account or posts public). We'd love to see what you and your kids come up with for their Bucket Lists!
  1. Climb a tree
  2. Climb a slide
  3. Slide into a pile of leaves
  4. Swing through a pile of leaves (kick them with your feet)
  5. Swing on your stomach
  6. Jump into a pile of leaves
  7. Make a leaf maze
  8. Make leaf art (temporary art to leave behind or bring paper and glue to save it)
  9. Make nature rubbings (bring paper and crayons, find pinecones, leaves, and other fun things)
  10. Make a skeleton out of sticks
  11. Play 'grounder tag' on the playground (rules found here)
  12. Play 'sardines' or 'manhunt' in a park or playground (rules found here)
  13. Play a traditional game of hide and seek (leaf piles are great for this in the Fall)
  14. Find a geocache (Durham Region geocaching resources here)
  15. Visit 10 different playgrounds in Durham Region (use the Maps of your local area)
  16. Find 10 different playground play features (use the Playground Reviews categories)
  17. Create an obstacle course race at a local playground or park and time your friends (use existing playground equipment as a circuit or use loose parts to add your own elements like 'jump over a log'

Remember, do not make the list too long as it may seem impossible to accomplish before you start a Winter Playground Bucket List!
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    My husband, daughter and I are trying to get outside every day, rain, shine, or snow. Join us on our adventures as we explore the great big outdoors! 

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Photo used under Creative Commons from Katherine Ridgley
  • Long Live Outdoor Play
    • FAQ
    • Favourite Links
    • About Me, Jennifer
    • About Valerie
  • Our Reviews
    • Playground Reviews >
      • Top 10 Infant & Toddler Friendly Playgrounds
      • Top 10 Accessible Playgrounds
      • Top 10 Parks with Shade
      • Canada's 150 coolest playgrounds
    • Splash Pad Reviews >
      • Top 10 Splash Pads
    • Skateparks
    • Indoor Play Reviews
    • Ontario Ice Cream Shops
  • Maps
    • Splash Pad Map
    • Desktop Playground Map
    • Indoor Playground Map
    • Ice Cream Trail Map
  • Our Adventures
    • Activities and Bucket Lists
    • Ice Cream