Strollerderby : outdoor activities

A-Hole Alert: Guy Sues 8-Year-Old Over Ski Accident

Kelly Mills — Sun, 23 Dec 2007 17:41:00 GMT

David J. Pfahler is taking Scott Swimm to court because Pfahler says Swimm was skiing recklessly when the two collided and Pfahler says he tore a shoulder tendon. Now, Pfahler is 60 years old, and at the time of the accident, Swimm was 7. Swimm's dad says it wasn't even a bad crash, but that hasn't stopped Pfahler (say that 5 times fast) from suing to the tune of $75,000 for "physical therapy, vacation time, nursing and medical services provided by Pfahler's wife, and other expenses." Nursing services from his wife? Dude, why not also add the fact that she cooked and cleaned and performed carnal acts when he couldn't use that arm so good as professional chef-ing, housekeeping, and, um, escort services? Don't hold back on that kid, for god's sake.

But why am I not surprised Pfahler would sue? Because he works for Reader's Digest. That's why he has no qualms about going legal hard on a 48-pound kid skiing less than ten miles per hour (according to mom). But I do understand why Pfahler (I can't say that enough) would be upset. I mean, it's not like people routinely get injured skiing or anything, so this must have felt like such a freak occurence, an unheard of event. So I'll just say to him: Happy Holidays, dickhead.

Cheat Sheet: Ten Ways To Get Your Kids To Love Nature

Patti — Wed, 08 Aug 2007 18:02:00 GMT

Getting kids off the couch and outside is sometimes easier said than done, especially if you're raising your family in an urban or suburban setting where "outside" isn't necessarily all that pretty (or safe). That makes this handy list of ten ways to help your family connect with the great outdoors a keeper. Compiled by Tiffany of the Natural Family Living blog, these are expert suggestions from someone committed to sustainable living.

Ideas as simple as incorporating books about nature into the reading rotation, or tending houseplants if you can't manage an outdoor garden, are such easy ways to bring your kids closer to the world around them. I love the "build a birdhouse" suggestion, and I'd add an even simpler one: Get a hummingbird feeder. You won't be entertaining a variety of birds with it, but it's hours of entertainment nevertheless and you don't have to lift a hammer to make it happen.

Something that could have been fleshed out better on the list: exploring the state and national parks in your area. Many parks have "junior ranger" type programs where your kids can learn all about the various flora and fauna native to the area, and depending on where you live you may not even be obligated to sleep in a tent or eat over a campfire (some California parks, for example, have pretty great on-site restaurants and lodges). And if your local parks are close enough, ask about day programs. Last time we camped at a nearby state park, about half of the people attending the evening "campfire session" were locals.

Solar Powered Grill: Fun in Mother Nature's Kitchen

Patti — Wed, 18 Jul 2007 21:23:00 GMT

I'm not sure I understand the connection between competitive boomerang-ing and the need for a solar powered cooking device, but never mind. I'm excited about this more sophisticated version of the hot dog cookers my class made in sixth grade, which we used to cook our own lunches at the end-of-the-year picnic (mine worked okay, not great). I really love projects that I can do with my kids that kill a lot of time and result in something we can eat, so we may be trying this one out—or if not this one, one of the many other solar cookers that you can make from plans available all over the internet and power with summer's glow.

According to my sister-in-law and her daughters, you can make a hell of a cobbler in a solar oven. Doesn't that sound better on a camping trip than nasty old s'mores? I might not have to rely on my husband's campfire-making skills forever.

Crafty: Dorodango, the Japanese Art of Shiny Mud Balls

Patti — Sat, 23 Jun 2007 18:27:00 GMT

American mud pies are all well and good, but Japanese preschoolers got it goin' on. Dorodango, literally "mud dumpling", is a ball of mud, carefully shaped by patient little hands. But it's also become a true art form.

Dorodango can be gently polished after formation and thorough drying, resulting in a shiny, marble-like ball you might even want to put on permanent display. And even a rowdy little one can get in on the act: Japanese educators have found that children are easily engrossed in the process of creating dorodango, and enjoy it so much that even imperfect spheres and unshiny finishes are regarded with personal pride.

Detailed instructions to create your own dorodango can be found here. It looks like it takes a lot of practice to get it down, but what's more fun to practice than making mud balls?

(via Metafilter)

Old Children's Games Being Revived

Kelly Mills — Thu, 07 Jun 2007 21:22:00 GMT

Here's where I lapse into my old-person voice: when I was a kid, if the weather was nice and the homework was done, we played outside until it was too dark to see. Lots of tag and hopscotch and stuff like that. In case you need a timeline, this was some time between the invention of the automobile and the rise of the CD player. Now some parents and advocacy groups are trying to bring back ye olde timey games, like marbles, stick ball, and four square. The idea is to move kids away from the video game consoles and computer monitors and into some good old outdoor, unstructured play.

The benefits are kinda obvious, like increased physical activity for stress relief and healthy weight maintenance. Whether or not the kids will ditch the video games for the outdoor games is another question. I'm not at all anti-technology, but I think it is good to have a balance. I wouldn't want to force my own games on my kid out of nostalgia, but I think a little fresh air and low-tech time is crucial. One fact that barely gets mentioned here: I agree with some researchers that the rise in media reporting of crime and problems with urban and suburban planning have meant many parents are scared to let the children roam freely outdoors. And that's a problem we'll have to address, whether or not freeze tag is a hit with this generation.

Earth Day: Fun Ways To Celebrate

Patti — Mon, 16 Apr 2007 22:19:00 GMT

Earth Day is this Sunday, and man, they really knew what they were doing in 1970 when they originally set the date for April 22. This is the time of year in most parts of the country where things have really turned to spring and people are finally able to get out and enjoy the outdoors. It's a perfect time to reintroduce your family to nature, whether that means outdoor activities like hiking or camping, learning to ride a two-wheeler, or getting your garden on.

Even if you're in one of the parts of the planet where spring hasn't quite settled in (Northeastern US, holla!), there are things you can do this weekend to observe Earth Day and get your kids thinking about their role in the ecosystem. Over at Kaboose, there are tons of crafts for kids of all ages, including awesome (and tasty) herb pots, a great "fossil" project using recycled coffee grounds, and some tasty recipes.

One Hour Craft also has a terrific gardening project for kids that doesn't require a yard or any outdoor space at all, really: starting seeds in tiny greenhouses made from plastic soda bottles. And if that's too crafty for you, head to Target--they've got tiny little terra-cotta pots with dirt pellets and seeds in the dollar bins right now.