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The Magic of the PlayScape

August 2, 2021 | Child Directed Play, Growing Up in Nature, Kids, Kids Activities, Nature, Nature Learning, Outdoor Play, Play, PlayScape

by Abbie Rinehart, Member The Cincinnati Nature PlayScape is a magical place to inspire wonder and curiosity in children and relaxation in their parents. We first discovered the PlayScape just after it opened 10 years

Photo of a white woman looking at the camera. She has long brown hair framing her face and is wearing a green shirt. A taxidermy skunk is being held in front of her face. — Me, as a volunteer at a station about skunks

Growing Up in Nature

July 21, 2021 | Child Directed Play, Children's Saturday Programs, CincyNature Camp, Growing Up in Nature, Kids, Kids Activities, Long Branch Farm & Trails, Nature, Nature Learning, Outdoor Play, Play, PlayScape, Trails

by CB, a staff member Long before I came to work at Cincinnati Nature Center, I grew up here. As a kid, a neighbor would frequently bring me and my best friend (her daughter) to the Nature Center. We’d tell stories

At Home with Nature: Fishing the Old Fashioned Way (Ages 5-12)

March 30, 2020 | Ages 5-12, At Home Activities for Kids, At Home with Nature, Home School Activity, Kids, Kids Activities, Nature, Nature Learning, Outdoor Play, Play

Pretend fishing is a fun way to get children outside and practicing their concentration. Younger children may need supervision and help to make sure they are playing safely and having

At Home with Nature: Nest Building (Ages 2-5)

March 30, 2020 | Ages 2-5, At Home Activities for Kids, At Home with Nature, Child Directed Play, Kids, Kids Activities, Nature, Nature Learning, Outdoor Play, Play

Children can have lots of fun mimicking the creativity of birds and building with natural objects! You’ll need: A nature space to find building materials and an “egg” (a stone, pinecone, or other egg-shaped

At Home with Nature: Phenology Journal (All Ages)

March 30, 2020 | At Home with Nature, Home School Activity, Kids, Kids Activities, Nature, Nature Learning, Outdoor Play

Spring brings fresh changes outside, making it the perfect time to look at phenology, the study of seasonal changes in nature. You’ll need: A journal, a pencil, and a spot outdoors you can return to

At Home with Nature: Mud Kitchen (Ages 2-5)

March 26, 2020 | Ages 2-5, At Home Activities for Kids, At Home with Nature, Child Directed Play, Home School Activity, Kids Activities, Nature Learning, Outdoor Play

You’ll need: Old kitchen utensils, a pile of soil, and a bin of water. Optional extras: Paper and markers to make your own menu. Mix the water and soil together, either in the bin or on the ground, and let your