Celebrate Spring With Your Children!

Written by: Cyndi R

Web Site:   1 Frugal Friend 2 Another

The days are getting longer, the grass is getting
greener, wildflowers are blooming -- it must be spring!

It's a great time to get outdoors with your children.
Try these ideas for fun activities.

1. Just take a drive. Check out a book from the library
on wildflowers in your area and pile everyone in the car!
Get off the beaten path, so you can cruise slowly enough to
check out the scenery. See how many wildflowers you can
identify.

Take your camera along and snap pictures of the kids and
the wildflowers. It might even be fun to pick a few and
take them home and press them. These pressed flowers can
be used in craft projects or in a collection as a way to
remember a fun day!

Look around as you drive; spring is a time of rebirth. You
may be lucky enough to spot baby calves or newborn colts.

2. If you live in or near a city that has one, visit the
zoo. Usually, the admission is low and this is a trip the
children always enjoy. Take a picnic and stop at a park on
the way. Some zoos have a picnic area on their grounds.
And be sure to carry water for thirst-quenching instead of
buying expensive, unhealthy sodas at the concessions.

3. Let the kids plant their own garden in a corner of your
yard. It needn't be a large spot. Just enough room to
plant a few beans, or maybe a couple of tomato plants.
Even very young children can help and they do love to
watch things grow!

If you don't have a yard, don't despair. Plant a bean or
tomato in a pot. All you need is a sunny spot to set it,
on your porch or patio. You can even put it inside in a
sunny window.

4. Put up a birdfeeder in your backyard or on your patio.
Birdfeeders are not too expensive, but here's an idea for
making one of your own. It's easy and the kids can help.

Buy a fresh coconut and cut a 2-inch hole in the side, near
the top. Drain the juice and scrape out the meat. Drill a
small hole in the top and also in the bottom. Insert an
eye bolt in the top hole and secure with a nut inside and
out. Fill the feeder and hang it up!

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Preserved Children

Take 1 large field, half a dozen children, 2 or 3 small dogs,
a pinch of brook and some pebbles. Mix the children and dogs
well together; put them on the field, stirring constantly.
Pour the brook over the pebbles; sprinkle the field with
flowers; spread over all a deep blue sky and bake in the sun.
When brown, set away to cool in the bathtub.

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Cyndi Roberts is the editor of the bi-weekly newsletter
"1 Frugal Friend 2 Another", bringing you practical,
money-saving tips, recipes and ideas. Visit her online at
http://www.cynroberts.com to subscribe and receive the
Free e-course, "Taming the Monster Grocery Bill".