Today’s Guest Post is from Janna who blogs at The Adventure of Motherhood , we met at a conference and immediately bonded over our love of activities and linking them to books.
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Mountains of toys, video games, movies, and computers were either non-existent in my childhood or almost non-existent. Three of my favorite toys really weren’t what most people would consider toys, but they gave me hundreds of hours of enjoyment.
Outside is where I wanted to be. I wanted to be in the dirt, playing with water, or up in a tree.
Dirt
- looking for roly polys or “pill bugs”
- making mud pies
- squishing my toes in mud
- digging a hole in an empty lot
- burying things
- riding my brother’s dirt bike
Suggested Book: Jeff Foxworthy’s book of poems Dirt on My Shirt
Water
- swimming
- spraying the hose
- the sprinkler
- water guns and balloons
- dancing in the rain
- splashing in puddles
- observing earth worms
Suggested Book: Mo Willems Are You Ready to Play Outside? (An Elephant and Piggie Book)
Trees
- to hide
- to rest
- to enjoy the shade
- to challenge
- to swing from a branch
- to pick some fruit
- to dream big dreams
Suggested Book: Shel Silverstein’s The Giving Tree
When it comes to having fun outside, I still find myself in the dirt, spraying the hose, or attempting to climb a tree. These are three things I intend to share with my daughter, and joys I hope to never outgrow. What things will you never outgrow from your childhood?
If you have children’s books that you love and would like to share them with other moms, please consider linking up to my weekly meme called Feed Me Books Friday. It’s kind of like an online book club from moms, and a great way to compile a stellar library list.
If you’d like to learn about a project to record the stories of  YOUR youth join me at MommysPiggyTALES.com.
Michelle, Muffin Tin Mom says
what a wonderful post. such a wonderful take on pairing outdoor activities to children’s books.
one thing I will never out grow from my childhood – cloud watching. I would lay out in the grass in our backyard, stare up at the pillowy white fluff and see a whole new world waiting to be discovered – from damsels in distress waiting to be rescued from the firey dragon to sea faring creatures afloat in a big blue “ocean”. I hope to continue to share that pastime with my little ones. đŸ™‚
Janna @ The Adventure of Motherhood says
I just found another tree book I love by Gail Gibbons call The Seasons of the Apple Tree!
Thank you so much for the opportunity to connect with your readers.
I just get giddy thinking about you snuggling with your baby girl. A big congratulations to her healthy arrival. I’m sure you are enjoying her beautiful room much more with her in it.
.-= Janna @ The Adventure of Motherhood´s last blog ..The Little House on the Prairie Childrens Books =-.
Roxanne says
I love the book – A Tree Is Nice by Janice Udry….I always share it on Earth Day but it’s a good book to read about being outside and the love of trees.
Lynnet Hardwick says
What a fantastic post! I love how you posted fun activities AND paired them with some great books! I loved doing so many of the activities you listed while growing up and it makes me wonder if my children remember doing those things… I loved it when it rained and I could play in the ditch, squishing mud between my toes and looking for crawdads, star watching, and hiking in the woods. Thanks for sharing!
.-= Lynnet Hardwick´s last blog ..Feed Me Books Friday- Give Me A Little Character- =-.