Description Spring is the time of creating and cleaning, of building and renewing, and each of the activities suggested here harness our impulses as they connect us and our children with the earth and nature. It’s hard to imagine more exhilarating and inspiring activity ideas than these. Here’s what’s inside— so grab your sweaters, put on your shoes and let’s go outside! Table of Contents Introduction Between Heaven and Earth March Nesting Our Native Birds in Spring Even Younger Children Can Help Build a Nesting Box Nesting Help for Birds Box for hole nesters Box for eave or platform nesters Sowing, Planting, Growing Sprouting Grain Caring for Flowers Sprouting Walnutes Johnny Appleseed Grace Johnny Appleseed Thought about trees April Creating Garden Spaces Garden Work and Health Landscaping a Garden as a Group Project Actively Shaping Our Surroundings Gardens at the Root of Social Change What to Consider When Landscaping a Garden Initial considerations Action guidelines Conclusions Landscaping Ideas Layered tree trunk wall Climbing wall Tree stump spiral for climbing and sitting Twig layer wall Building with stone and wood A root mountain Nesting places for insects, bats, wild bees and wasps A willow arbour Making a spring flute from a willow branch Play pit Stone herb garden Paradise garden Earthworms – compost in a worm box Potato box Strawberry pots Keeping pets April does what she wants May Plant-based dyes and paints Making Dyes Color chart for plant dyeing Characteristics of plants used for dyeing Painting with plant-based paints The invigorating effect of plant colors Milk Processing The Cow – Serving humankind since ancient times Milk – Lifeblood of the child What can be made from milk Beekeeping From forest bees to beekeeping The Bee Colony Biology of the Bees Beehives Bee products Swarming How can children be included in beekeeping Further reading and resources
